Mount Batulao That Jagged Little Mountain

I should have blogged Mount Batulao a long time ago, but I think it's not the time for it to have a space in my blog, because I wasn't done yet. I saw Mt. Batulao many moons ago when I attended a wedding ceremony in Caleruega Church. And from there I saw a jagged edge mountain standing on the vast verdant flat land. I wasn't into mountain climbing then, I just take pleasure in staring at them every time I passed by a mountain and I never thought that I would be into this hobby someday! Well, I am not that brave, I am just only having fun with it.

Breathtaking!

I have read so many blogs about their climb in Mount Batulao and I don't know if I would still write flowery descriptions about this mountain because it is so glorified! And if I remember Mt. Batulao was supposed to be my first mountain to climb in my list but it didn't happen, and I was so late. Well better climb late than not at all.

Mang Gerry our guide.

What is nice and cool about this mountain is that it has been a favorite destination not only for those who are fond of mountain climbing but also with trail runners who makes this place as their playground. Maybe because of its inclined and downslopes landscape thus making their practice runs more exciting. Mount Batulao has a grassy terrain thus making the trails visible and so with its peaks. Yes, peaks...a lot of them! By the way this mountain has 12 peaks. Really? I didn't know, I didn't count! All I can remember was I was at Peak 10 the last time I was there! And that's a bragging right!

The fee collectors are everywhere!

The first time I climbed Mount Batulao was during my training for my mountain run. I have heard that this mountain is one of the best training ground for trail running. Aside from its location which is very accessible if coming from the metro. The weather was nice that day but the wind  was strong that it could topple me down to the cliff! We took the new trail and back, it was exciting to run into its ascending and descending slopes and a bit concerned running along the ridge because of the strong wind. What only disappoints me was the numerous registration fees that were collected by the land owner along the way. I just hope that this matter would be settled by the land owners and the DENR so that the collection of registration fees would be hassle-free for the climbers.

View from the peak!

Second time I went to Mount Batulao, was with a group of friends. That time, we took the Kakawate trail and traverse to new trail, just to avoid the numerous registration stations which are now more than I passed by during my previous climb...and it's too much! The Kakawate trail is longer and a little challenging but it will lead the hikers to camp 10 immediately. The elevation going to the peak is steep that it requires rappelling and crawling! But I can say that it's still a beginner friendly route but with little challenges. It is advisable to hire a guide for first timers, there are some people who doesn't need a guide because they are already familiar with the trails.

Rappelling part

Crawling part

After some picture taking and chatting with the group on Peak 10 we moved on. It was a good thing that the weather was pleasant on that day to think that it was raining the whole week! There were few  climbers on that day which was unusual on a weekend.

The 360 view of Batangas and neighboring towns seen atop the mountain was splendid! Do you think so?

Oh well, I just said that I am done with Mount Batulao but as I was writing and looking at the pictures, I already changed my mind. I think I am going back to try the other trails...are you coming with me or not?