Last November 14, 2015, I and my engineering friends decided to conquer Mt. Pamitinan located at Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal (formerly Montalban). It was my first hike and I want to share my rocky experience there as a first timer mountaineer.
We meet up at Jollibee Cubao, Farmers by 6am. And bound to leave by 6:30am. But due to late comers, we depart at pass 7am. We decided to rent a van going to Brgy. Wawa since we are only 12 in a group.
arrival at the Brgy. Wawa
We arrived at the Brgy. Wawa around 8:30am. And met our tour guide Kuya Orly. And he suggested to divide us into 2 groups coz he said if we're above 10 in the group we'll pay 300 pesos for registration only but if not above 10, we’ll have to give only a donation. So we got another tour guide, Kuya Nestor. After we registered, we change clothes at their comfort room rentals and as we finished, we pray and start trekking.
as we finished to register
For us to reach the starting point of the mountain, we need to cross the hanging bridge. I felt the excitement as we're crossing the bridge going to the mountain, looking at the scenic view of Wawa River and the twin mountain, the Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan.
at the hanging bridge
the view of Mt. Pamitinan from bridge
We plan to do the caving first, at the Pamitinan cave, but unfortunately, the cave is closed due to high level of water inside because of the rain. As we head up to the mountain, I didn't expected that the trail would be a bit hard but challenging for me as a beginner. Those jagged edges of rocks, thorny vines and high rocky parts that requires you to do rock climbing or bouldering. You really need to concentrate in all your moves and take care of yourself as you go through to the slopes that are almost 75 degrees inclined.
start of trekking
I found it hard because I really need to extent my legs in doing rock climbing and I need to use gloves because of those thorny limestones. As we reached the first peak, we took a rest before going to the second peak (there are 3 peaks in the mountain). On the second peak, after taking pictures, we took our lunch together with our tour guides. I felt the cold breeze under those rocks where we used to have lunch. After we ate, we head up to the third and final peak.
the trail
For us to get into the summit, we have to do rappelling. It took us time going to summit because we waited for the other group to go down before we can climb. At first, I was hesitant to head up to summit because I’m so afraid. The slope is almost 90 degrees and it’s so high but my boyfriend told me to do it he said I might regret it if I will not go to the summit. And so I’m finally convinced by him.
As I go up holding the rope, I was so scared that I might fall. After doing the rappelling, finally, I’m on the top of the mountain!!! The view is so breathe-taking. Seeing the 360 degrees view of Sierra Madre makes me thank God for His beautiful and wonderful creation 426+ MASL. My difficulties and struggles going up to summit is all worth it. The sad part is when we’re on the summit, the sky becomes dark suddenly and the raindrops starts pouring. So, we only took some pictures and go down immediately.
at the 1st summit (I'm afraid to go there that's why I use the photo
of my boyfriend. hehehe)
at the 2nd summit
the spot where we took our lunch
at the 3rd summit
Going down with those thorny limestones and very high rock formations is not very easy. It needs you to focus yourself at the same time be careful in every step you make because it’s like “isang maling hakbang mo lang, goodbye Philippines ka na”. So be very careful in going up and going down if it is your first time too.
the different view from the different summits
the view of Sierra Madre
At 3pm., we arrived on the Brgy. Wawa to have some meryenda and took some rest. After 30mins.of rest, we head up to the Carugo Falls or what they called, Wawa Falls. Reaching the falls and seeing the view of it makes me amazed and the feeling of cold breeze embracing you makes me feel relax and refresh. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to swim on the falls because there’s so many incident of drowning there. So, our tour guide, Kuya Orly, suggests to swim on the safe side, which is in Wawa Dam located at the top of the falls. We really have fun swimming on the Dam because of the cold water and the running water going to the falls. You just have to go over with the flow of water and go back again for you not to reach the falls.
at wawa falls
enjoying the dam
That spectacular experience: hiking at Mt. Pamitinan and swimming at the Wawa Dam makes me feel unwind and wanna go hiking again by 2016.
Here’s our itinerary:
0600 assembly at Jollibee, Cubao Farmers
0700 ride a van going to Brgy. Wawa
0830 arrival at the Brgy. And register
0900 start trek
1030 reach the 1st summit, take pictures
1230 reach the 2nd summit, lunch
1400 reach the 3rd summit, take pictures
1500 arrival at Brgy. Wawa, meryenda
1600 arrival at the wawa falls, swimming
1730 depart at the falls
1800 arrival at the Brgy. Wawa, clean up at Kuya Orly’s home. (He offered us to clean up and use their bathroom so that, we will not have to pay for the comfort room rentals in the Brgy.)
1845 head back to Manila
2000 arrival at Cubao Farmers
Budget:
75php x 2= 150php (900php/12person) - for the van rental
2php- entrance fee
10php-donation
10php (120php/12persons) – for cottage rental
150php (1800php/12persons) – tour guide fee plus tip
Total: 322php
Contact: 09253694371- Mang Danny (Van Driver)
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