Never in my wildest dream I've thought of climbing Mt. Arayat. For me, this mountain only serves as my marker whenever I travel from the north giving me a feeling that I am almost home. I always stare at it whenever I pass by it from its foot up to the summit but I never aspired to climb it. Its just this mountain seems to be mysterious and has peculiar features than the the other mountains I've been to. And just like what the local guide told me that Mt. Arayat is different, I believe him.
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| View of Mt. Arayat from Mt. Manalmon |
I just got lucky that I was able to join the hike because I was also preparing for another event that was cancelled so the mountain is calling and I am definitely coming! We started at Mt. Arayat National Park in Magalang, Pampanga to register, and hire a guide. It was 7:30 AM and our first destination is the White Rock and North Peak, which is approximately a 2-hour trek from the jump-off.
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| Registration area in Mt. Arayat National Park, Magalang, Pampanga |
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| Jump-off, start trek. |
The trail is steep and rocky, boulders of different shapes are scattered as we approach the first peak. I can imagine how slippery and excruciating it is during the wet season, good thing the sky was brilliant then, so perfect for the climb! I noticed that the trail is rough and is not that well established which is an indication that Mt. Arayat is not being swarmed by groups of climbers, and that is good! After struggling from huge rocks and showing some skills in balancing in a number of inclined ridges, we arrived at the first peak "North Peak". By the way, Mt. Arayat has three peaks, north, south and the pinnacle, and our climb would only take the north and south peak, unfortunately we cant hike to the pinnacle due to limited time.
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| Start trek. |
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| Careful with those huge rocks. |
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| Lush mountain. |
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| Giant rocks along the way. Do you think those standing rocks turns into something at night? |
Dogs welcomed us in the North Peak, the summit is flat and it has a helipad! Well first time I saw a summit with helipad, there is a small police station at the top who looks after some telecom equipment, so the helipad and the big equipment has some sort of connection. Whatever. We took pictures, refreshed ourselves then started walking again heading to the south peak!
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| North Peak summit! |
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| View of South Peak from North Peak. |
Now getting to the South Peak is different. Crossing the forested area between north and south peak needs more leg power and will power! The trail is getting difficult and I can't recall how many ropes we clung to for the ascend and descend.
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| Ropes...ropes! Better hold or fall. |
I can't count how many thorns I plucked out of my hands from wild plants, so gloves is necessary. That time, oh how I adored big sturdy tree roots which helped me climbed up on steep forested walls. And after an hour, patience and perseverance paid! We arrived at the South Peak summit just in time for our lunch! It gave me a feeling of joy as I was rewarded with the spectacular view of rice fields, river, trees and communities. We spent some time to take pictures and later went onto the shaded areas to eat lunch and take a nap. After an hour we started to descend and I know it would be more difficult.
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| View of North Peak from South Peak. |
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| View of Arayat, Pampanga and the Pinnacle from the summit. |
The time for us to go down has come, the time that I have been thinking about. The dreaded steep trails came with rocks and big twisted roots on the ground. I stayed concentrated really hard on my steps, because one wrong step I will roll down the cliff and that hurts. I gave time for myself to walk from one rock to the next. I have perfected the art of descending using my buttocks on trails with loose soil, well its safer but slower.
The sight of shrubs gives me comfort since I hold onto it whenever my feet and knees cant control the declivities. The thick dried leaves along the way makes it more difficult because they are slippery, so be cautious of dried leaves while trekking. It took us 3 hours before we arrived at the other side of the mountain which is in the Arayat side.
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| Almost done! |
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| I am done!! |
The 9-hour trek has ended and it feels so good to see paved roads and stores selling softdrinks and snacks. My knees and toes are hurting, I was so dirty, thirsty and hungry but my supernatural being is so full of joy, enthusiasm and jubilation after I survived my first major climb.
How to get there?
1. We went there in a private vehicle, and went straight to Magalang, Pampanga. Just follow the direction going to Arayat National Park in Magalang. There's a station on the cross along the road, the 7th station is where the registration area is located and the jump off point.
2. Register and hire a guide.
3. Bring lots of water, wear sturdy trek shoes and gloves as protection from thorns.
4. Don't forget your camera, wear a smile, pose and click!
5. Please observe "Leave No Trace" policy.
6. Lastly, stay safe and enjoy!
