DIY Rizal Trilogy: Mt. Binacayan-Mt. Hapunang Banoi-Mt. Pamitinan Dayhike Part 1

At the summit of Mt. Hapunang Banoi in Rodriguez, Rizal

Original plan was to hike Mt. Binacayan in preparation for the Wawa trilogy we've been planning to take. From one mountain, it became two--adding Mt. Pamitinan in the list. What we didn't know was, we will soon be hiking three mountains in one day just because we craved for a bottle of coke. More on this as you read along. ;)


This blog entry will be divided in three parts. Let's begin with Mt. Binacayan.

Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal 424 MASL
Hours to summit: 2-3 hours
Difficulty:  Minor, 3/9
Trail class: 1-4
Features: Limestone formations, scenic views of Sierra Madre and Rizal province

How to get there:
1. From Cubao, ride a jeep or FX bound to Montalban. 
2. Ask to be dropped off at the tricycle terminal to DENR. 7-eleven is your landmark, or
3. From Sandigan, ride a jeep bound to Maly.
4. From Maly, ride a jeep going to Montalban.
5. Ask to be dropped off at the tricycle terminal to DENR.

How to get out:
1. From DENR office, ride a tricycle back to 7-eleven.
2. Ride a jeep or fx bound to Cubao, or
3. Ask the tricycle driver to take to all the way to the terminal going to Litex.

Sample itinerary:
4:00am - ETD Cubao to Montalban
5:30am - ETA Montalban, tricycle ride to DENR
5:45am - DENR, Register, acquire guide, prepare to hike
6:15am - Start trek to Mt. Binacayan
9:00am - Mt. Binacayan summit (a LOT of photo ops on the way)
9:15am - Brunch and more photo ops
10:00am - Start descent (different route)
11:30am - Back to jump off, prepare to hike the next mountain
12:00nn - Start trek to junction
1:00pm - Junction to Mt. Hapunang Banoi and Mt. Pamitinan / Rest
1:30pm - Start trek to Mt. Hapunang Banoi
2:30pm - Mt. Hapunang Banoi summit / Picture taking + Rest
3:15pm - Start descent back to junction
4:00pm - Quick lunch and rest at the junction
4:15pm - Start trek to Mt. Pamitinan
4:45pm - Mt. Pamitinan summit
5:00pm  - Start descent back to junction
6:15pm - Back to DENR / Rest / Washup / Get certificate for accomplishing Trilogy
7:00pm - ETD to Cubao

Budget: Php510.00
Breakdown of expenses:
1. FX to Montalban - 50.00
2. Tricycle to DENR - 60.00/tricycle (you can divide per pax)
3. Registration fee - 50.00
4. Guide fee - 500.00 per mountain x 3 = 1,500/5 = 300.00
5. Certificate fee - 40.00
6. Tricycle back to 7-eleven - 60.00/tricycle divided per pax
7. FX to Cubao - 50.00

Reminders:
1. Wear long sleeves and pants as protection from sunburn and rocks.
2. Wear closed shoes you can rely on.
3. Wear sunglasses, caps or hats. Umbrella is a no-no. You need to keep your hands unoccupied at all times.
4. Wear gloves. Though it can be a little stuffy, gloves with rubber palms work best with sharp rocks.
5. Bring at least 1L of water or hydration fluids. There are stores along the way where you can buy water, so you don't have to bring all 3L of water during the hike. You will need 3L. Trust me on this.
6. Bring packed lunch. For trail food, jelly ace proved to be a great choice. It's sort of filling and hydrating at the same time.
7. Practice and live by the LNT (Leave No Trace) principle. Do not, for the love of your mother, leave your garbarge anywhere. Bring a garbage bag and collect your trash for proper disposal when you get back to the jump off area.
8. Stay positive and wear your big smile. Especially during photo ops. ;)

There are a lot of "first times" for everyone during this hike. First in that long list was that our guide was mute and deaf. Yep. Communication was a bit difficult as both parties know nothing about sign language. We use body language instead. We were told of our guide's condition right from the start and we think it is plausible for the local government to give him a chance to prove his abilities despite his handicap.

Pointing to the mountain on the right then on the left, we were able to tell him that we're hiking Mt. Binacayan first and Mt. Pamitinan next. The third mountain will come in the picture in a little while..


The trail to Mt. Binacayan started on a concrete yet very steep road, leaving us gasping for air even before the actual hike begins. But with the though of hiking 2 mountains, we marched forward.

The first store you will pass by on the way up to Mt. Binacayan. Buko juice is superb!

Me, Krysia, and Florie taking a breath.

The hike consists of more rock scaling than actual trek as you would soon see in the following photos. 

This is obviously an act. Heh.

The gang is complete! 

All smiles through sweating like no other. 

Those few times I am walking right behind Jane. Click.

Never forget to smile.

Hahaha

Sorry, Krysia. :P

The huge rocks just never end.

Here we have the two Marys. Grace and Jane.

Acting tough. Hah!

And, group photo!

Grace acting silly at one of the many highlights of the Binacayan trail.

We lucked upon a very creative photographer for a guide. :D

He has some nice poses himself, too!

This, here, is the brain child of our guide. Kame hame wave!

Though hanging by a cliff, I just couldn't leave the posh behind. Haha

This was fun, too!

Arjon the guide really did look after us. Applause!

And that's Krysia.

While Florie's "photo op" is underway.

One step closer to the edge..

Go Florie!

Find Krysia.

We totally got comfy up there. Heh! 

Meet the squad. :D

Scenic, isn't it?

On top of the "Dinosaur head" along the trail of Mt. Binacayan.

This one's from up there, too! Love this photo.

Can you see Krysia? She's right there, hiding from the sun.

Yep. Florie received a call right up the mountain. Awesome!

 At the summit of Mt. Binacayan. We can clearly see Mts. Pamitinan and Hapunang Banoi.

Love the clouds at the summit of Mt. Binacayan. 

Having fun at the summit of Mt. Binacayan.

Had to take another group shot at the summit because we're against the light on the first one.

There's a different route when climbing down Mt. Binacayan. We realized that this is the reason why we didn't bump into another group on our way up. Kudos!

And a photo of me climbing down.

Bamboo forest on the different route down.

We had to go through this, too! Exciting! 

UPS = Upo Para Safe

We're almost down and out of Mt. Binacayan.

Say cheese!

We soon reached the second store we passed by on our way up where we had each of us a bottle of ice cold Coke. Since Mt. Tagapo, it's been a tradition to drink a bottle of Coke each after reaching a mountain summit.

Now we prepare to hike our second mountain for the day: Mt. Pamitinan.