#makiling

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I experienced Mt. Makiling, more than just reading the legend of the beautiful maiden Makiling, but the mountain itself. 

Holy Thursday hike with milabs.

I had recently discovered about Mt Malasimbu in Dinalupihan, Bataan as a new hiking destination, and I really wanted to climb this mountain as it's not yet that well-known. However, plans changed due to some circumstances, and I found myself standing in front of Mt Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna. We passed by my friend’s place where she got provisions for the hike. As I was waiting for her, I walked to the shore of Laguna de Bay and found a group of teenagers singing Christian songs. I wanted to sing along with them, but I just stood in awe of the huge lake’s majesty and stillness.

Since this was a sudden change of plans, I wasn't able to do much research on Mt Makiling anymore, but I realised that I didn't have to because a few weeks back, I started compiling fact sheets on various mountains that I plan to hike, and Mt Makiling was among them.

I know that this is a mountain that people can climb without a guide, and I was quite confident with my skills in solo mountaineering. Do note that I hiked Mt Makiling with a friend, and it was her first time, so the responsibility I have was not only of my own safety and welfare, but of my companion as well.

When we arrived at the trailhead at UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources, we parked our car, registered, and started hiking along the concrete road. I believe that was a mistake as it was a huge waste of time, and you can ride a motorcycle (habal-habal) (₱100/person) to take you to the start of the Wilderness Zone which is just past Agila Base (Station 11/30).

From Agila Base, the trail is well-established, and there aren't many forks so it was easy to follow. The ascent wasn't too steep, and you get to enjoy Mt Makiling's atmosphere. When we arrived at Station 16/30, things started to take a turn for the worse. The trail was closed as there was a landslide back in 2015 or so, so we needed to take a detour.

On the day of our hike, it was raining quite a bit so the ground was muddy and slippery, and this detour takes you down 70 metres with a grade of about -80%. That's almost vertical! As you have imagined, we basically slipped our way down. After that sudden descent, you curve around some big rocks, and now, you're faced with an ascent that is almost as steep as the descent.

Since we didn't have a guide, and considering that we'd have to retrace our steps through the detour, we decided to turn back for our safety. If Mt Makiling can add salt to that wound of a defeat, she did by making those who did the traverse catch up to us, describe the amazing views at the summit, and even overtake us.

About the leeches (limatik), there were a lot of them, but I flicked them all off before they got a chance to suck my blood. I even let some crawl on my hand and arm, and to my surprise, they didn't bite. When I got home, though, and removed my knee-high socks, I discovered two leech bites, one on each ankle. When I removed what's left of their mouth, my blood just spewed out. This proves true the fact that leeches have anticoagulant on their mouths to prevent the blood from clotting.

In the end, we know that Mt Makiling can still be conquered, but at another time. It was a great learning experience in solo mountaineering and in hiking prepared, as if we got stuck somewhere along the trail, we didn't have enough food and water, and only a hammock for sleeping. Lesson learned, so in my next hikes, I now bring extra water, tinned food, my burner and pots, my hammock, and most importantly, my tent.

Our experience in the bosom of Mt Makiling was truly refreshing, and contrary to what people say, when you're walking through her forests, it's you who would want to become lost in her embrace.