DIY: Mt. Tagapo 438+ MASL - Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal

The summit of Mt. Tagapo in Brgy. Janosa, Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal

Mt. Tagapo (Susong Dalaga) Dayhike
Binangonan-Cardona, Rizal
Talim Island, Laguna de Bay
Major jump-off: Brgy. Janosa (Talim Island)
Type of climb: Minor
Difficulty: 2/9
Trail class: 1-2

How to get there:

1. From Cubao, ride a jeep to Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Marcos Highway

2. Ride a jeep from Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Marcos Highway to Binangonan Port

3. Board a boat from Binangonan Port to Talim Island

4. Register at the Base Camp and acquire a guide

How to get out:
1. Board a boat from Talim Island to Binagonan Port

2. Ride a jeep from Binangonan highway to Angono

3. Take another jeep from Angono to Sta. Lucia/Cubao

Sample Itinerary:

0500 Assembly at Yellowcab Marcos Highway across Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall
0530 ETD to Binangonan port, Jeep
0730 ETA Binangonan port ETD Brgy. Janosa; Ferry boat
0830 ETA Brgy. Janosa / Register and acquire guide
0900 Start Ascend
1100 Lunch Along the Trail
1200 Summit
1230 Start Descend
1300 ETA Jump off/Tidy Up

1430 ETD Binangonan; Ferry Boat
1530 ETA Binangonan Port
1600 ETD Angono
1800 Sta. Lucia/Cubao (depending on traffic)

Budget: Php235/6 pax inclusive of regs fee, guide fee, and transportation. Lunch not included.

Breakdown of Expenses:
Jeep from Sta. Lucia to Binangonan Port - 38.00
Ferry from Binangonan Port to Talim Island - 30.00
Registration Fee - 20.00
Guide Fee - 400.00 (to be divided/pax)
Ferry from Talim Island to Binangonan Port - 30.00
Jeep from Binangonan Highway to Angono - 15.00

Jeep from Angono to Sta. Lucia - 25.00; to Cubao - 35.00

Reminders!

-Wear long sleeves and pants or leggings. Grass on the way to the summit are tall and sharp.

-Wear caps/hats, sunglasses.

-Wear closed shoes as the terrain is rocky and again, the grass can cut you.

-Bring enough hydration supply although there are kids selling refreshments just before that final leg to the summit.

-Please always bring a trash bag and make the conscious effort to collect all your garbage and bring them with you for proper disposal. 

-Practice the LNT (Leave No Trace) Principle at all times.
-Keep a positive attitude at all times. Ngiti. Lakihan mo. :D

Take nothing but pictures and memories, leave nothing but footprints, and kill nothing but time.

You need only walk not 2 minutes to see the base camp after alighting from the boat. It would be on your right across the covered court.

I like that you actually hand the money to the guide after the hike.

Our guide, sir Carlito as he guide us through the bamboo forest.

During our first (of the many) "take 5"

It's a great thing that most of the trail runs through the bamboo forest. The heat is brutal!

The rocks are huge, so you better keep your toes tucked safely.

See how tall the grass is? Long sleeved tops and pants are required!

Finally the summit! Sooo proud of this girl for reaching her very first mountain summit. Now she can proudly call Mt. Tagapo her Mother Mountain. Kudos to you, Ber! :D

#TeamAwesome

We still don't know what gotten into MK to pose that way. Heh!

From left: Florie, Me, Krysia, Ber, MK, Gerry

And of course, the ceremonial jump shots!

To sum it up, it was an easy climb given that it's only 438 meters above sea level, the trail mostly running through the bamboo forest, and the ascent being knee-friendly. Well, it was an easy climb for a sort of experienced mountain climber like me but proved a little more on the difficult side for a first timer like Ber.

The whole experience is fun. Aside from the fact that this is my first climb with people I really spend time with (I used to always join organized climb wherein the only person I know is the organizer), the boat ride, the easy pace, the pretty trail, and the rewarding view from the summit made it all a one great hike.

Mt. Tagapo is the first mountain we climbed together. Definitely not the last. :)