Birthday Climb at Mt. Macurly (Mt. Maculot) Grotto-Rockies trail

November 18, 2012


Today is My Birthday. :D 

Just like my old celebration with cakes, & beer's.. this one would be very different. I've planned to go for a hike with my dear friends and celebrate my 23rd year in earth by witnessing her beauty though, Climbing mountain was really not in my plan, nor in my dreams i could do it. but right after my 1st climb at Mt. Cristobal i do realize this is what i want to do., my passion is in here.

Getting to the summit with a heavy load can be a torture. Sleeping in a tent instead of Lying on a soft and warm bed can be uncomfortable. Still, many people choose to experienced this adventure. Knowing that you will be able to surpass the hardships by reaching the summit is a fulfillment that no one can describe.

Mt. Macolod also called Mt. Maculot is a mountain located in the town of Cuenca in  Batangas Province, Philippines. The Mountain is about 947m (3,107ft) . Mt.Maculot and its 700m (2,300ft) high volcanic rock wall called The Rockies is said to be part of Taal Caldera's crater rim.*excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Macolod

We've met at JAM LINER Bus station, at kamias Qc, take the route from Manila to Lemery-bound, another ride of Trycycle to Grotto Trail. an estimate Travel time of 3hrs from Manila to Cuenca, Batangas.

when we reach the jump off , we rode tricycle for 20php each. after the 10mins ride we have reach the starting point of the Grotto trail..
there are residential area at the foot of Mt. Maculot, Grotto trail.

*The Cemented path on the grotto trail

When we have reached the end of the cemented path, we took 10 mins for break, stretching and some photo ops :D

Mt. Maculot is not an easy Climb (for me) while others claimed it's just a minor climb for them.

This mountain reminded me to never under estimate something for they might surprise you in the most astonishing way.

here's the surprise:

well at first i thought we cant last the 20 floor stairway of the grotto trail.  but it happened that every 10 steps- we stopped ! hahaha but we are determined enough to take the challenge, specially me!! you know- simply because its my birth day!!! 

Surprisingly, we made it to the top of the grotto. see below? i told you. from our smiles, i knew it ! :D

As always, Excitement was there when we begun walking on the trail heading to the summit. although we are bothered by some loud chirping noises made by the unseen crickets.

 We were singing while walking,  just to relieved the tiredness of a long hike. 

my eyes are busy then, looking around trying my best to spot on something unusual. 

aside from the lush plant and mossy trees of Mt. Maculot, there's lot of centipede on trail that made one of my dearest friend (Arturo) Shout every time we encountered one :P

Not just once, but trice !! :D

taking the grotto trail made me think how does those huge rock placed in every corner of that mountain.. seems like some one really put it in that way so that climbers can use it for them to be able to climb the summit. :) 

of course.. we never ever forget to take many pictures as we can :) 

click! click! click!! :D

In the middle of nowhere, we saw a gradual area, enough to set our lunch

like the usual thing, we put together our food enough for us to be shared.

to be honest my knees are really shaking while walking maybe due to tiredness and i had nothing on breakfast.

I fell in love with this mountain.. :D
it's mysterious vibes, mossy rain forest, giant tree and huge rocks..

after thousands of gasp for air, we reached the summit and stay for a while,

but i got disappointed seeing left over rice and trash all over the place.

it made me feel uneasy. 

Please let us not raised our white flag on restoring each mountains we has. 
we must not be tamed and must continue preserving and protecting each mountain.

Don't let ourselves be the reason for their destruction.

after few photo ops- we descended to our task..  another trail going to "The Rockies"

I remembered, we passed by a part of the trail when we were heading to rockies, where there are large and tall Weed Grass with razor sharp edges ,same type of grass i've encountered in Mt. Cristobal.. and i have saw 20php on the trail haha

we have reached The Rockies around 3:30 PM we are so excited to see what's up in the rockies. we didn't waste any time ! we took photos! photos! photos! :D 

pose on the left, pose on the right, pose on top, pose on the cliff, pose on the huge rocks hahaha !!


I don't mind if my knees are shaking while i was standing on the edge of a rock.
i smiled happily welcoming the winds of the mountain, feel proud to my self  while i was standing, looking down at 3,107 ft. above sea level.

i have won over my fear.

when the sunset begun..we decided to take trail from the rockies down to the mountain.
we almost run while taking the trail.. its already 7pm when we have reached the end of The Rockies trail. 

Special Hot Lomi is a great reward after a long hike :D

Words can't express how much i appreciated the beauty of Mt. Maculot and the Rockies.
the cool breeze at the summit, beautiful creatures at the trail, huge rocks -- this is the most precious birthday gift from the nature i have ever received ... 

Thanks to my Friends Adrian Merced Reyes, Arturo Patricio III and Cristina Galon for spending this memorable day with me.

i love you guys!! :D more climbs to come , friends forever!