Traversing "Pico de Loro"

Ternate, Cavite – Nasugbu, Batangas
September 25-26, 2004
Heading towards camps

We arrived Ternate, Cavite around 9:00 AM. On our way to Magnetic Hill Jump off, we saw numbers of mountaineers also heading towards "Pico de Loro". We at once requested two of our groupmembers to go ahead of us to reserve the basecamp. By 10:00 AM, after making last check and glimpses at our gears, I lead the prayer and went ahead. It was an easy trek going to our first stop followed by much easier trail going to the falls. Realizing that several groups have already been up since early that morning and perhaps occupying good basecamp sites near the summit, we regroup and made a decision to settle our camp by the falls. I volunteered to fetch our 2 groupmembers who went ahead and probably already settled-in somewhere near the summit. Our EL decided to go with me. Upon reaching a crossroads, we decided to split. I proceeded to the newly blazed trail and our EL took the traditional trail.

Parrot Peak

As I approached the 25-35˚ slope trail, I kept telling myself not to get comfortable with it. To never underestimate any mountain is my ultimate psychological weapon of preparing myself for the challenge. I leaped and hopped and carry myself up leading towards "I don’t know where" until at last, when I brought my head up, clearly sighted the light from the clear blue afternoon skies. After a little while, the trail lead me to an open clearing grassland with 45-55˚slope leading to the "parrot peak" summit most popularly known as "Pico de Loro".

Welcoming life back

It was already 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. As I enjoyed the magnificent view and its spectacular clear horizon, I completely forgot to thank the Lord for a great opportunity. To me, time has stopped and brings me to a total dissolution state as I gave out everything and surrender my self to the place. A quick release it was of life’s pains and disappointments to eventually welcome life back again fresh and clean. I felt rejuvenated afterwards, unmindful of the sweat that flows all throughout my entire human body. After taking several souvenir pictures, I went back thinking that my group is anxiously waiting for me. I arrived at the camp 3:35 in the afternoon and after a quick rest and a refreshing drink, we all head to the falls and enjoyed the place for they have decided to move on and settle our camp at the basecamp 45 nminutes trek from the falls. We touched-down basecamp at around 4:30 PM. After settling-in we had our dinner and the much awaited evening socials. I went to sleep around 12:00 midnight.

Busy Sunday Morning

By 5:30 the next morning, I went straight up to my morning rituals. By 6:00 o’clock, I wake the rest of the group and fetch water from a nearby water source. After getting back, we decided to have our breakfast while waiting for the rest of the group who went to check the summit via the traditional trail. By 10:00 am breakfast was taken by the rest of the group and immediately broke camp. We left the basecamp at 10:30 and descent towards "Combento" trail. After a couple and a half hours of trekking down, we had our hefty lunch and a soothing dip in the springwater at Prinsa Dam, still at Combento. After a while, we headed to Bulihan and arrived 4:00 pm. It was a fulfilling thought as I viewed the sight of "Pico de Loro" getting smaller as we get further while we were heading towards Nasugbu on a bumpy but exciting top load jeepney ride. It was satisfying and fun indeed! I appreciated it very much, Lord.