Mt. Romelo- Our First Mountaineering Adventure

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Our first attempt to mountaineering together is trekking Mt. Romelo in Siniloan, Laguna. Since the place is just near the city, we booked our weekend for a mountain adventure. My partner has been climbing mountains and this would be our very first time doing this together. We're supposed to be spending the long holiday at Borawan and Dampalitan island in Quezon, unfortunately though we were not able to pursue due to unforeseeable reasons I do not want to discuss. So we planned (for a night) to head out to Laguna and traverse the mountain of Romelo.

We were inviting friends to tag along, but they declined the invitation (though free). After a series of convincing and talking, we ended up trio. We prepped at around 6AM and left an hour after. The jeep took us an hour and a half to Tanay Market. From there we bought our supplies. We planned to stay overnight so we bought food just enough for 1 day and 1 night. Oh, and not to mention 1 gallon of water too, aside from 3 bottled water we have in our bags.

From Tanay Market we hired a tricycle to the jump off. We had to walk to the registration area where we paid 20 pesos, and continued our journey from there. Our hike started at 9:30am.

I was the most enthusiastic in the pack. Being the liveliest, I am always on the lead; only turning around to ask for directions. I was always asking if I had to go left or right, since I do not have the mountain instinct and I am no good at directions. The trail to Mt. Romelo wasn't tough, it was the easiest I have treaded. But because my fellows lack sleep and physical preparations, they were already exhausted after walking only a few meters. We had to stop for like 5-6 times on the assault. I lack the preparation too, but challenges and first time experiences excite me. And this actually energizes me and pumps up my adrenaline.

There is a nearby store just a few yards from the registration area, where you could buy supplies you have forgotten from the market. There are several other stores up the mountain- one will pass by 3 actually. They are selling refreshments and junk food as well.

There are 2 trails from the registration area- one behind the registration area and the other just a few meters beside it. We took it since that was the most evident trail. Guides are not required since the trail is very much established; one will not have difficulty going through it. Some trails are made by donkeys which are a helpful companion of porters.

After a grueling 2 hour hike, we reached the campsite (at last!). We pitched our tent just beside the outpost. We asked the patrol where we could have it erected since we would like to stay overnight, and we were told to stay just beside the station. There were incidents of robbery and tent-slashing, and so for security purposes and to avoid any untoward incident we remained adjacent to the outpost. Some mountaineers were already told to stay close to the outpost as well. There were only 2 people in charge in the station and they can't patrol mountaineers who are too far from the outpost. 

The next day, we continued the hike and headed to Buruwisan Falls. I didn't know that we were already at the peak of the famous waterfall. The falls didn't have as much water as it were in the pictures so we were kind of disappointed. We decided not to go the foot of the falls, so we went next to Batya Batya. 

Being a novice mountaineer, it was a hell of a trail for me having to go through river trekking. I disliked that part. There isn't any alternative trail going to Batya Batya. From trekking to series of rocks, crossing a few yards through the river and walking over an inclined log which is the utmost test of balance; a little rock climbing and we reached the falls.



Mt. Romelo is known for having 7 waterfalls, and we have reached only 2, so we were planning to go to the other falls. However, while traversing the trail we saw this campsite built by a fellow mountaineer. They built a table and chairs made from rocks and is situated just a few yards away from the river. PERFECT! We decided to just stay there and pitched our tent. After swimming and eating, we started descent at 2:00pm. Trekking is much easier at descent and we reached the registration area by 3:30pm.

Itinerary and budget would depend if you would go on a day hike or take it overnight. But for everything, you will need to prepare at least 500 pesos and you're good to go.

Fare to Tanay Palengke from Pasig (Lifehomes) - 45 pesos
From Tanay Palengke to Siniloan - 42 pesos
Registration Fee - 20 pesos

I did enjoy my first climb and wish that I would be able to do this on a regular basis :)

 Porter donkeys

 The trail up





Living the LNT principle
  
Our campsite near the outpost

Cottages just below the outpost, near the top of Buruwisan Falls and the trail leading to other falls




Batya Batya Falls


Going to the other part of the mountain
Makeshift table and chairs

The river near the campsite



View from the top






 The trio :)

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