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.
 |
| With Tatay Jaime |
