The Pathetic Attempt to Climb Mt.Makulot

I finally found time to write this blog. I've been thinking about this ever since we started the Makulot ascent.

I did make an itinerary but we weren't able to stick with it during the first hours. We reached the bus stop in Buendia at 6:30am, had a quickie breakfast at Jollibee and by 7, the bus was ready to go (this was supposed to be 6am). We got in the town of Cuenca two hours later, hailed a tricycle to bring us to the jump off. All throughout the bus trip, I was trying really hard to remember the trail. I knew I was only 80% sure I could find the trail, ok, make that 60%… But heck, this should be one fun adventure for both of us.

Why did I stop jogging for two weeks? We weren't even in our first half kilometer and I was a little out of breath (I only got my small, about-to-break Adidas bag containing only 3 liters of water, a shirt, towel, sunblock and my trail water bottle.) The trail was fine until we reached this spot which I swore I could perfectly remember because we ran into other no-bag hikers before on that exact spot. There was a trail, really, so instinctively, we followed it, but for some reason, the "trail" was getting steeper and steeper, definitely not as I remembered before. Well, challenge. Few meters after, I could hardly see any trails. There was nothing but an 80-degree inclination with highly eroded soil and a few stones and branches here and there which you could barely trust your life with. We weren't even half-way but a huge part of me didn't want to go on, not because of the climb but the descent. It would be like jumping off from an 8 foot wall if ever. 

A little later, another group of lost people came, thank god. But I think they went back or lucky to have found the right trail cuz we no longer saw them again. It was the first time I really got scared climbing. I kept on slipping and just holding on to any strong enough stone, root or branch for my dear life. I was literally crawling, definitely oblivious of the dirt getting into my nails, shoes and underpants! I didn't know how Christian made it look too easy, considering it was his first time to climb a mountain. 

12.30pm and no grassland in sight yet. I was getting tired and frustrated. I could have endured being lost and finding the right trail until we get to the camp site, but we only had enough for a day climb, no extra water, food, tent and flash light. We had to turn around, eat and rest then find an easier route to descend. We found a spot for lunch, had liempo and brownies! 

Fortunately, there was an easier, safer route. By 3:30 we were waiting for our turn to bathe. It was disappointing that we got lost and I wasn't able to show Christian the rockies and the majestic view of Taal Lake, but it's better than risking our lives. We will be back though and for sure we will assault the summit! Still, three days with sore muscles, a few cuts and bruises, is worth it.