Climbing Samal Island's Highest Peak

Realizing that our Ropes Course in Outland Adventure is not feasible (they require 25 persons for this - it's a corporate package), both Grace and I thought of getting into mountain climbing. Since we both dreamed of climbing Mt. Apo one day, we thought that it is the best time to climb. With Zaldy and another friend Shing, we set a day to conquer Samal Island's Highest Peak: Mt. Puting Bato.

the weekend warriors

We board the bus bound for Penaplata at 6:30 am. Reaching Penaplata, we immediately asked the motorcycle drivers around for our starting point for this minor climb. Don't worry if you're a first timer as almost all drivers here know which way to go. But PLEASE, when you decide to climb, be with someone who has been there. Good thing, Zaldy's with us. He has been climbing for years though his last climb in Mt. Puting Bato was like 4 years ago!

That's where the adventure lies, lol.

Days before, our guide (Zaldy) informed us to do a bit of 'training.' I thought it was just like a walk in the park so I didn't take that seriously. The only 'stretching' that I did was done minutes before we start the climb. So, lesson learned: train your body, stretch those rarely used leg muscles. 

on action!

For the first few minutes of the trek, we are still laughing and talking about those 'stretching' exercises. However, as we get deeper into the woods and as we sensed that we are taking the trail less taken, we realized that the climb is way more than just a walk in the park.

There were those moments when I come to ask myself if I still can make it on the top. I was sweating profusely and I'm starting to feel the impact of trekking on my legs. Nevertheless, what keeps me motivated is the thought that we're heading up and in no time, we'll reach the island's highest point. 

take a break and smile :)

Most of the times, we find ourselves clinging closely to the soil, like almost hugging it, just to keep ourselves on foot. I slipped many times and touched a lot of spider webs but it was fun! Of the three of us, it seems that Shing's the only one who didn't get tired with the trek. She still even got the chance to post a Facebook update (amazing!). 

crossing Biak na Bato

One of the challenging parts of the climb is crossing Biak na Bato. It's scary to look at but we got no choice but to cross it. And glad, that we did though it takes a lot of encouragement to convince Grace,hehe.

We were relieved when we finally reached the hiker's camp. We registered and paid a minimal amount. It was purely a laid-back place where we spent minutes doing nothing but admiring the green fields, the mountains around, the birds (and the dogs??). 

When it's almost 1 PM, we went on..

A few more trek and occasional cuts, before this! (drum roll please)..

FINALLY

Reaching the peak is like tasting iced cold water in the desert. It pays off to persevere ;)

A lunch at the peak is incomparable. 

The view from the top makes you feel thankful for being alive, for exactly being there. 

We were laughing that time of our experience on our way up.

At the same time, we keep on talking of having an iced cold Coke! 

I guess that motivated us to head back to the city as fast as we could, haha

heading back 

In times of uncertainties, you hold on to yourself.

And there, you find hope, you find courage.

Reaching a dream is like reaching the peak.

You have to struggle and though unsure whether you can make it or not, 

you keep on moving because you know (and believed) that it'll be all worth it.

Note:

You have the choice to stay there for a day or overnight.

How much you should bring?

P300-P500 is more than enough :)

Bring along your food and water too.

What to wear?

Appropriate hiking gear (wear your most comfortable and trusty shoes), arm protector will be helpful as well as long pants and headware.

What to expect?

Tiring YET fulfilling. 

Don't forget to stretch before you climb!

We were able to head back to Penaplata by around 4PM.

Have you climbed a mountain?

How was your experience?