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  1. #376
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    Time for an overdue update to this hiking thread.

    Last weekend, I joined an organized day hike to Mt. Sembrano in the town of Pililia, Rizal province. This mountain is rated as a minor hike with 3/9 difficulty, trail class 1 to 3, 745+ meters above sea level. The summit can be reached in 3 to 4 hours (The 1st half of our group did it in 3 hours, based on the timestamp of my pics.)

    Mt. Sembrano (745+) – Pinoy Mountaineer

    For the trail classes, here's the definition:

    1 - walking (easy stroll)
    2 - hiking along a path/ rugged terrain
    3 - scrambling (using hands for balance)

    New system of classifying mountains – Pinoy Mountaineer

  2. #377
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    This was my 1st hike in a long time, given the events of the last 2 years of the pandemic.

    Members of our group met at a McDonald's in Metro Manila. We left the place around 12:30 am and arrived at the barangay/ village hall by ~3:30 am. We were 11 "joiners" plus 1 organizer. The organizer was in charge of hiring a minivan, coordinating with the village/ guides, entrance fees, etc and we just paid a set fee. As I've said before, it's easier for me to be a joiner since I don't have to think of the logistics.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_110234-jpg
    ^that's one of the guides giving an orientation. We had 2 guides (lead & sweeper).

    We started our hike at 0430H. Still dark, so we brought flashlights or head lamps.
    Last edited by katie23; 21-06-2022 at 11:10 AM.

  3. #378
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    Sunrise at ~0620H

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_110346-jpg

    I didn't take pics during the 1st part of the trail (wooded area) because it was still dark and I concentrated on the trail.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_110405-jpg

    After ~1 hour of woods, it's time for the grassland.

    Some of my hike mates
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111002-jpg

    As I've said in my other threads, I now blur the faces due to the Data Privacy and Safe Spaces laws in PH.

  4. #379
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    More views
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111130-jpg

    My victory pose at the summit. I always think of Rocky Balboa during this time. I reached the summit in 3 hours. According to the guide, our group was relatively fast.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111153-jpg

    It was Father's Day weekend in PH, so one of my mates brought this printout. We took turns taking pics with it.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111324-jpg

  5. #380
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    bet you enjoyed getting back to it, and ached the next day.

  6. #381
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    The reason why I wear trousers/ leggings during my hikes is because of these burrs.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111642-jpg

    Talim island inside Laguna lake, as seen from the summit of Mt Sembrano
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111535-jpg

    One can also see the Pililia wind farms
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111611-jpg

  7. #382
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    @malmomike - yeah, it was great! And yes, my legs still hurt a bit. I did prepare for the hike by jogging (on flat terrain) but the upward trails use different muscles. I will try to build up my endurance so that I can join major/ difficult hikes again.

  8. #383
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    I will try to build up my endurance so that I can join major/ difficult hikes again.
    Go for it hon. I will pass.

    Tours & Tickets - Mt. Pinatubo Crater - Book Now - Viator

  9. #384
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    In these organized hikes, you sometimes meet interesting people. This guy is a part-owner of 'Lagalag' , an outdoor apparel/ sports gear brand in PH. They have branches in several malls. He's in his mid 50s and an experienced mountaineer - he started in his uni days. He has climbed 350+ mountains. He & his friends had plans to hike to Everest Base Camp in Nov 2020, but then the pandemic happened. I think they plan to do EBC later this year. Next year, he aims to go to Mt. Kilimanjaro.

    We happened to wear the same colour of shirt. He was directly behind me in the trail, so we were able to chat a bit.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111512-jpg

  10. #385
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    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    I think they plan to do EBC later this year
    you have to really do it Nov-Feb is the optimal time

  11. #386
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Lolz! One can do the Mt Pinatubo via the 4x4 adventure (offroad vehicle + 1 hour trek) or via the harder trails which take ~7 hours to reach the summit. I did the 4x4 adventure in Feb 2016 - pic thread somewhere in PH section.

    One of my hike mates did the harder way (Sapang Uwak trail) last weekend. She said that one of their members was injured, so they all had to wait for the rescue group to arrive.

    One of my fears of doing Pinatubo is the risk of landslide or rock slides if ever there's an earthquake. I saw a vid posted on FB (our hiker mega group) wherein they were at Pinatubo when the April 2019 mag 6.1 earthquake occurred. They scrambled to find safe places for the brief duration of the quake. Rocks were falling all around.

    That vid is not posted on YT, but here's a Manila Bulletin compilation of vids from that quake. Some footage from SM Clark & SM Olongapo.



    I was in Manila that time and it felt strong from my location (3rd or 4th floor of building).

  12. #387
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    Some of my hike mates just chilling at the summit.
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111708-jpg

    ^it's a fad among some millenials to remove their shirts at the summit and pose in their sports bras. Bragging rights in Instagram/ FB.

    On the way back, it became cloudy.
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111731-jpg

  13. #388
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    We reached this Manggahan campsite ~1015H. It's called as such because there are mango trees (local name, mangga) in the area. One can pitch tents here.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111751-jpg

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111814-jpg
    ^horse/ donkey is owned by locals

  14. #389
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    Some of our group opted to make a side trip to a small waterfalls. Others opted to rest. I went to see the falls.

    Path going down to the falls
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111834-jpg

    Some places have Buddhas, we have our grottos.
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112050-jpg

  15. #390
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    It's a small falls, maybe 2-3 meters in height
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_111922-jpg

    Here's a more daring/ artsy shot of my millenial hike mate.
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112026-jpg

  16. #391
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    When we got back to the rest area, there were some local kids selling fresh coconut, P20 each.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112116-jpg

    One for the road
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112136-jpg

    Final trek back to town
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112158-jpg

  17. #392
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    Our minivan was parked at the barangay/ village hall (Barangay Malaya), where we washed up & registered our presence. Usually, the registration is done before the hike but the village hall was still closed at 0430H. I returned there ~1240H, so it was around 8 hours of hike + rest periods. It was a good mountain to hike since it's not very popular and we were the only hike group at the time. In some popular mountains, there are many groups (sea of crowds) and you'll have to wait to take your pics at the prime spot (like my former pics/ hike from Dec 2019 earlier in this thread).

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112317-jpg

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112256-jpg
    Last edited by katie23; 21-06-2022 at 01:29 PM.

  18. #393
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    We had lunch at a small local resto whose specialty was grilled chicken (chicken imasal). I had brought a burger from McD (as packed lunch) but I opted for a hot meal.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_132258-jpg
    Sorry, not the best pic. I was hungry.

    I gave this dog some leftovers and patted her head a bit. She then rested her snout on my thigh. Aww.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112338-jpg

  19. #394
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    As a side trip (part of the tour), we visited the Pililia Wind Farm. There's an entrance fee (P20, I think). Aside from generating energy, there's a view deck where you can take pics.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112403-jpg

    They sold some souvenir items.
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_120055-jpg

  20. #395
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    Something for facetubegram. Heh.

    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112540-jpg

    We were blessed to see a rainbow. A very fine end to a great day.
    Hiking in the Phils-screenshot_20220621_112645-jpg

    We arrived back at McD in Manila ~1930H. A tiring but exciting day. Cheers all!

  21. #396
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    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    When we got back to the rest area, there were some local kids selling fresh coconut, P20 each.
    did you count his fingers

    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    In some popular mountains, there are many groups (sea of crowds)
    I wouldn't bother, would put me right off.

    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Sorry, not the best pic. I was hungry.
    hence forth known as two scoops Katie

  22. #397
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    ^it's a fad among some millenials to remove their shirts at the summit and pose in their sports bras. Bragging rights in Instagram/ FB.
    Least ya coulda done was get us a front pic?

  23. #398
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    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    The reason why I wear trousers/ leggings during my hikes is because of these burrs.
    Ya leggings are a must here in the PNW we only have a few summer months but no one calls them leggings.



    They are gaiters, leggings are what you girls wear to yoga class.


  24. #399
    Thailand Expat armstrong's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrWilly View Post
    Least ya coulda done was get us a front pic?
    So creepy.

  25. #400
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    65 years old.

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