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  1. #101
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    After the picnic, short rest and photo ops, it was time to descend the mountain. This is the start of the descent.
    Hiking in the Phils-34_start_descent-jpg

    There were no ropes here. You had to be careful of your footing, or hold on to the grasses for support.
    Hiking in the Phils-35_descent-jpg


    Btw, our ascent was ~2.5 hours, descent was ~3h due to several rest breaks. Our guide said that our group was somewhat fast. The ascent is usually done in 2-3 hours. Two hours for experienced mountaineers, 3 hours for amateurs - so our group was intermediate in speed. The guide also said that some people give up when climbing the roped part (due to the difficulty) and/or some cry due to fear. For me, the roped part was really a bit scary, since if you lost your footing or happened to let go of the ropes - you're kaput. We didn't wear any harness (probably should have). Would I climb Mt. Ahit again? Probably yes, but I would prepare better for it - jog more, run uphill or up/down stairs, do pull-ups or push-ups, etc.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-34_start_descent-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-35_descent-jpg  

  2. #102
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    Start of the rope descent - no pics during the middle part of it since I valued my safety more than taking pics.
    Hiking in the Phils-36_descent_ropes-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-36_descent_ropes-jpg  
    Last edited by katie23; 04-03-2018 at 08:04 PM. Reason: pic didn't load

  3. #103
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    ^^^Cheers BLD, Luigi & David48.

    A friend's shoe was detached, so our guide did a little first aid on his shoe, using duct tape. Duct tape came in handy at this point!

    Hiking in the Phils-37_duct_tape-jpg
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  4. #104
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    During the descent, I saw these fruits up on a tree. I don't know what they're called, but I also saw them near the crater of Mt. Pinatubo. AFAIK they're not edible.

    Hiking in the Phils-38_fruits-jpg

    Back in the forest, there were some areas with dense growth of ferns.
    Hiking in the Phils-39_ferns-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-38_fruits-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-39_ferns-jpg  

  5. #105
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    It's good that I wore leggings, since after some time, there were a lot of these things.
    What are they called in English? I only know the local name.
    My friends who wore shorts had itchy legs afterwards, due to these prickly stuff.

    Hiking in the Phils-40_amorseco-jpg
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  6. #106
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    Our guide offered us young coconuts (buko) for 25 pesos each. We took up his offer at one of the rest stops. Very refreshing!
    Hiking in the Phils-41_coconuts-jpg

    Y'all know what coconuts look like
    Hiking in the Phils-43_coconut-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-41_coconuts-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-43_coconut-jpg  

  7. #107
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    This was our guide, cutting up the coconuts
    Hiking in the Phils-42_cutting_coco-jpg
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  8. #108
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    At that rest area, there were also lots of lichens on the trees. Lichens are symbiotic associations of algae & fungi.
    Hiking in the Phils-44_lichens-jpg
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  9. #109
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    More plants along the way... some capsicum (chilies) to spice up your life ...
    Hiking in the Phils-45_capsicum-jpg

    and wildflowers
    Hiking in the Phils-46_wildflowers-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-45_capsicum-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-46_wildflowers-jpg  

  10. #110
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    At another rest station (the one near the hut of our guide), we spotted a kakao (cocoa) tree.
    Hiking in the Phils-46a_kakao_tree-jpg

    Our guide gave us some fruits to taste. They get the seeds, dry and roast them to make kakao (cocoa).
    Hiking in the Phils-46b_kakao_fruit-jpg

    It was my first time to eat the seed of the kakao tree. It was sweet-sour, a bit like santol (Sandoricum koetjape).
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-46a_kakao_tree-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-46b_kakao_fruit-jpg  

  11. #111
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    Still during the descent, we passed by a family of goats!

    Hiking in the Phils-48_goats-jpg

    More goats!
    Hiking in the Phils-48a_goats2-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-48_goats-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-48a_goats2-jpg  

  12. #112
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    The route we took for the descent was different from that of the ascent. It was supposedly a shortcut (accdg to the guides), but it didn't seem too short. We passed by coconut groves on the way back.

    Hiking in the Phils-47_coco_grove-jpg

    This stream had a little water. The previous ones we passed were all dry.
    Hiking in the Phils-49_downstream-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-47_coco_grove-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-49_downstream-jpg  

  13. #113
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    At last, we were back to civilization! Here's one of the peaks (not the one that we climbed - it was the opposite peak), viewed from below. We were blessed with good weather - it was cloudy and not too hot.
    Hiking in the Phils-49a_mount_from_below-jpg

    Some pigeons
    Hiking in the Phils-50_pigeons-jpg

    The path to the mountain is in between these two houses - the one with the green boat (partially hidden).
    Hiking in the Phils-50a_pigeons-houses-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-49a_mount_from_below-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-50_pigeons-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-50a_pigeons-houses-jpg  

  14. #114
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    After a late lunch (rice & chicken-pork adobo), we changed clothes and went to the beach for a quick dip.
    Lobo, Batangas is a coastal town. One side mountains, on another side the sea.

    Hiking in the Phils-51_beach1-jpg

    Hiking in the Phils-52_beach2-jpg
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  15. #115
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    It was a public beach, and a rocky one at that. The waves were very strong that afternoon - we didn't stay long.

    Hiking in the Phils-53_boats-jpg

    Fishing boats
    Hiking in the Phils-54_boats2-jpg


    People in that community are mostly farmers and/or fishermen. But there are members of the community who have worked/ are working abroad (and sending money), so there are some big houses too.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-53_boats-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-54_boats2-jpg  

  16. #116
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    This is halo-halo - an iced dessert/snack

    Hiking in the Phils-55_halo-halo-jpg

    Bananacue - fried bananas (plantains) on a stick. My friends bought some (I didn't - the halo-halo was enough).
    Hiking in the Phils-56_bananacue-jpg
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  17. #117
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    Time to go home... passed by a lighthouse. This lighthouse is used as location in one of the soap operas currently shown in local TV.
    Hiking in the Phils-58_lighthouse-jpg

    Take me home, coastal road, to the place I belong. East Batangas, mountain mamas, take me home, coastal road.
    (to the tune of Take Me Home, Country Road).

    There were areas wherein the road wasn't cemented, so it was a bumpy ride.
    Pic was taken from a moving van - I had the window seat.
    Hiking in the Phils-57_coastal_road-jpg

    That ends the story of the Mount Ahit climb. Cheers all!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Hiking in the Phils-57_coastal_road-jpg   Hiking in the Phils-58_lighthouse-jpg  

  18. #118
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    Little update to this thread

    Last Sunday, I went for a day hike to Mount Mapalad in the village of San Andres in Tanay, Rizal province. It's around 750 meters above sea level (masl) and is rated at 3/9 difficulty. My friend and I were joiners in a tour group that I found in FB - saw it on a link through a friend's post. My past climbs were with groups that I knew (friends, colleagues, etc) so I thought it would be interesting to hike in a group where we're basically all strangers and just joining in.

    The meet up was at a fast food place in Quezon City (north of Metro Manila). We left the meet up pint around 1 am and got to the jump off point around 2:45 am. Then it was time to register at the barangay (village) hall, secure guides, toilet break, stretching, etc. There were some locals selling coffee, porridge (heh) and instant noodles, if you wanted something warm before the hike.

    We started the hike at ~3:30 am. It was still dark and we were told to bring head lamps or flashlights. I had a small flashlight, but if I'll join more of these hikes, I'll buy a head lamp so my hands are free during the climb.

    We were 15 hikers, 1 tour coordinator and 3 guides. The guides were spread out: front, middle and back. The hike to the summit took 3 hours, with several rest stops. Most of my team mates were office workers, so it took us 3 hours. Maybe if they're athletes, it would take only 2 to 2.5 hours. I chose this climb since it's near and only 3/9 difficulty. I'm not the fittest person, so I can't do a 7/9 difficulty (yet).
    Last edited by katie23; 10-10-2018 at 04:55 AM.

  19. #119
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    Sunrise over the mountains and sea of clouds

    Hiking in the Phils-p_20181007_052515-jpg

    Hiking in the Phils-p_20181007_052803-jpg

    somebody pls help in reposting the pics, thanks!

  20. #120
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    Some pics of the ascent

  21. #121
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    ^ Nothing there Katie.

    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Sunrise over the mountains and sea of clouds

    Hiking in the Phils-p_20181007_052515-jpg

    Hiking in the Phils-p_20181007_052803-jpg

    somebody pls help in reposting the pics, thanks!
    That 2nd shot is a winner

  22. #122
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    Found a tree growing these last year in Thailand, think it's the same fruit.



    Wasn't sure what to do with it at the time, so just took a picture..



    Think it's the same fruit???

  23. #123
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    ^

    Pandanas Seeds?




  24. #124
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    Chitty sometimes you just crack me up. As innocent as when I first arrived here 40 years ago now..

  25. #125
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    You know me, always the entertainer

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