This is probably the first time I ever traveled without doing much research. I just followed the itinerary that Kirk of Kirk Anatomy laid out. Maybe it is the travel fatigue and therefore I thought a mountain, just like it always does, could change my current mindset. After all, Mt. Cristobal is also called the Devil's mountain being that it is beside the holy mountain, Mt. Banahaw, so I expected a faith-changing experience.
As compared to Mt. Maculot and Pico de Loro, this is the most exhausting. The ascent is a constant assault but even so, I tried to keep up with our veteran guide, Tatay Jaime (the uncle of the Mt. Cristobal guide kuya Lucio - 09993903350). I distanced myself from the other 3 people I am with and opted to stay closer to him and talk to him instead. Partly because I wanted to get to know a local and to challenge my endurance to keep up with his pace, and mostly because my antisocial juices are overflowing that day.
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| With Tatay Jaime |
Things happened in the past few days that made me want to give up on watching chick flicks altogether. I was hoping that Mt. Cristobal will give meaning to every knee-crunching-ligament-breaking step that I took. Wishing that the Devil's mountain could make me feel alive again in any way possible, but instead I was lost in oblivion. My thoughts are as foggy as the pseudo-summit a.k.a. Jones Peak.
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| At the Saddle Point |
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| The Not So Rewarding Summit of Mt. Cristobal |
We were back at the jump off by 2PM. According to Tatay Jaime, amongst all of the groups he accompanied to Mt. Cristobal, we are the fastest *pats back*. This is by far the most organized climb I've ever been to but this is also the one where, dare I say, I learned the least. My mind remained in a mess throughout the hike.
Yes, they say not all who wander are lost but this time I am uncertain of where I am headed. There is no doubt that my legs are strong but there is also no denying that my heart is getting weaker. Every beat draws me closer to that end that I've been dreading. But I have no choice, I have to take the free fall.
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| Shady Mind and Shady Thoughts |
It was nice reading your post pau. isa kang makata!
ReplyDeletecheers sa mabibilis na hikers katulad natin! :)
Ayun, may isang visitor na ang munti kong blog! :)
DeleteTara na sa Mt. Tapulao! :)
Mam Pau, okay po bang contact si mang lucio? magkano po ang guide fee nya at yung service nya from san pablo to jop? thanks po
ReplyDeleteHello, ok na contact si Mang Lucio. Php400 yung fee. Pero hindi si Mang Lucio yung nagguide samin, si Tatay Jaime, tito ni Mang Lucio. Pareho naman silang mabait. :) hindi si Mang Lucio yung naghatid samin sa jop, nagrent kami ng jeep for Php 800. :)
DeletePau, yung 800 pa na rent natin sa jeep is round trip na or 800 papunta, 800 pabalik?
Delete800 papunta at pabalik na yata yun sa pagkakatanda ko. :)
DeleteHi sir, :) kala ko sakin lang mailap ang Mt. Cristobal e kaya todo emo ako. Hindi pala. Mailap pala siya sa karamihan. Bulakenyo ka pala sir, pasama minsan sa mga akyat mo po. :)
ReplyDeleteKala ko Bulakenyo ka sir. Anyhoo, would still love to join one of yer climbs. :)
ReplyDelete