Mt.
Natib is located in Tala, Orani, Bataan with an elevation of 1287 MASL.
It is popularly known as the highest peak within the vicinity of Bataan
Park.
Mt. Natib and its ranges
With the excitement of hiking mountain again, I was able to join an organized event along with my buddy. I had mixed emotions because of the challenges and concerns regards the event. However the thought of reaching the summit, meeting new friends and visiting Pasukulan falls kept my adrenaline and excitement up.
Although having a premonition regarding “limatiks” – a blood sucking creature which is quite apparent at the summit of Mt. Natib cringes me, this kind of adversity should always be won over to become an invaluable individual in your future hike, which we eventually did.
We all met at Jollibee, Cubao Farmers. It's interesting to note that there was a diverse participation of people with different backgrounds. After a quick meet and greet with all the participants we started travelling in a rented van. Silence was evident among us because all were still strangers.
It was 6 am in the morning when we arrived at the jump-off at the Lomi Restaurant; We instantly ordered lomi and consequently prepares ourselves for the hike while waiting for the arrival of our guide.
Although having a premonition regarding “limatiks” – a blood sucking creature which is quite apparent at the summit of Mt. Natib cringes me, this kind of adversity should always be won over to become an invaluable individual in your future hike, which we eventually did.
We all met at Jollibee, Cubao Farmers. It's interesting to note that there was a diverse participation of people with different backgrounds. After a quick meet and greet with all the participants we started travelling in a rented van. Silence was evident among us because all were still strangers.
It was 6 am in the morning when we arrived at the jump-off at the Lomi Restaurant; We instantly ordered lomi and consequently prepares ourselves for the hike while waiting for the arrival of our guide.
The famous Batangas Lomi
We started the hike accompanied by our guide and his pregnant dog named as “Harot”. Scaling the wide rocky road reminds us of Mt. Tapulao trail. So we commenced on a balance pace to adjust ourselves with the trail and to be able to cope up with each other since everyone has their own unique pacing.
After an hour of hiking, we were able to see the so called “lonely mountain” – Mt. Arayat and the mountains located in Zambales – Mt. Balingkilat and Cinco Picos. The view was stunning afar from our standing point. We were all blown away by the scenic view, especially for us as first timers.
Mt. Arayat from afar view
In the course of the hike we were able to see a mansion area and a viewpoint accessible by any land vehicle. According to some of us who had visited the mountain last year, the area was once beautiful grassland so they were disappointed to what it has become. Indeed changes sometimes result in a development but sometimes it meant destruction. Apparently, man-madeinfrastructure activity kills the environment if done iresponsibly.
The viewpoint shed
Upon our arrival at the view point, we were finally able to gaze Mt. Natib and its ranges. The ranges somehow resemble the like of Mt. Guiting – Guiting ranges, also known as the Old Caldera Wall. No words can exemplify our amazement.
Old caldera wall
Passing the viewpoint, the trail is narrow and it features steep and rocky parts. Some participant began to inquire about the limatiks and seemingly all was curious. We were all on guard of the blood sucking creatures from the viewpoint to the Pinagbutasan nearby the crossing.
At Pinagbutasan, we were discussing when and where will we have our lunch without noticing that most of the participants were having their early lunch already on the spot, and so everybody followed. After taking lunch our guide required us to bring only necessary items for our ascent to summit, trailing back afterwards until the campsite area nearby Pasukulan Waterfalls.
At Pinagbutasan, we were discussing when and where will we have our lunch without noticing that most of the participants were having their early lunch already on the spot, and so everybody followed. After taking lunch our guide required us to bring only necessary items for our ascent to summit, trailing back afterwards until the campsite area nearby Pasukulan Waterfalls.
Water source area
The challenges start at the base camp - the foothill of the mountain. Ascending through an assault and rocky trail and experiencing rappelling. It was a never ending assault and we dwell on a rappel for five times before reaching the summit.
Rappelling mode
In the course of our ascent we were able to peek different mountains and God creation – Carabao Island, Mt. Balingkilat, and Cinco Pico. Moreover, visible as well is the forested mountains which glamour a green picturesque.
The summit was ringed by fog when we arrived nevertheless we were still awed. While most of us was contented of reaching the summit, it is undeniable that everybody is hoping to atleast get a clearing. So we stayed and waited longer than expected. It was like playing hide and seek with the fog giving us a peek at some parts of the view but never the whole scene. After resting and enjoying the summit for a while we began descending in the same steep and slippery trail where we came from.
The summit was ringed by fog when we arrived nevertheless we were still awed. While most of us was contented of reaching the summit, it is undeniable that everybody is hoping to atleast get a clearing. So we stayed and waited longer than expected. It was like playing hide and seek with the fog giving us a peek at some parts of the view but never the whole scene. After resting and enjoying the summit for a while we began descending in the same steep and slippery trail where we came from.
The team at the summit of Mt. Natib
We were all conscious of the limatik at the summit, which enabled us to check our own self. Needless to say, limatik appears in less numbers. Only a few were bitten, but it was the aid of alcohol that made the victims worriless. Maybe it was the sunny weather that lessened their volume that day.
Me at the summit
Our descent was way harder compared to our ascent, requiring us to balance our navigation all throughout and double our awareness on the rappelling part. Some crawled; some slipped; some got wounded, but all remained stronger. It was hard for some participants as we commence especially for the first timers., The trails waslightly tackled by our fellow participants who are already seasoned hikers. No wonder it's the experiences that matters in all aspects of human activities.
I was able to catch the pace of those participants who were able to run. After catching up with the fast pace hikers in our group, I waited for my buddy to arrive. It was after almost 30 minutes when she arrived therefore giving me enough time to rest before continuing our descend.
I was able to catch the pace of those participants who were able to run. After catching up with the fast pace hikers in our group, I waited for my buddy to arrive. It was after almost 30 minutes when she arrived therefore giving me enough time to rest before continuing our descend.
We were able to regroup again at the crossing area nearby the trail heading to the waterfalls.
Hiking to the Campsite
Furthering the journey, we were able to hike to the campsite area scaling and passing through a forested mountain serenaded by the voice of the birds in the forest. We had dignified silence on our stretch to the creeks as we reached the campsite.
Our hike from the crossing to the campsite was an absolute experience dueling into an ascent and descent trail. It was until we reached the campsite when our composure returned instantly. Smiles preluded with gentle expression at that time as I remember seeing their faces.
Campsite
At the campsite, we pitched our tent and cooked our food. And the rest of the time was allotted for our social activities, education about ropemanship, and the rest is history.
Knot tying discussion at the campsite
Visit to Pasukulan Waterfalls
Early in the morning, hearing the sound of silence allowed me to quietly promenade at the campsite for a while, feeling the peace and solitude of the area. Consequently, I stayed near the creek for minutes while waiting for the others to wake up. Eventually, after hearing sounds at the campsite area, I was able to go back to offer help in any way possible for the preparation of the breakfast.
After having our breakfast, we headed to the waterfalls which is a 10 minute hike away from the campsite. The waterfalls is called Pasukulan with an elevation of 50 meters high. You can hear the drops at the trail as you go near to the waterfalls. As we began to glance the waterfalls, we hurriedly took a picture of it. It was a moment of braveness as we fight against the cold water that is shivering.
We swam; we took a booze; we took pictures; they jumped; they took video documentations; and we enjoy every minute of our stay at Pasukulan Waterfalls. The waterfalls is truly a paradise.
Early in the morning, hearing the sound of silence allowed me to quietly promenade at the campsite for a while, feeling the peace and solitude of the area. Consequently, I stayed near the creek for minutes while waiting for the others to wake up. Eventually, after hearing sounds at the campsite area, I was able to go back to offer help in any way possible for the preparation of the breakfast.
After having our breakfast, we headed to the waterfalls which is a 10 minute hike away from the campsite. The waterfalls is called Pasukulan with an elevation of 50 meters high. You can hear the drops at the trail as you go near to the waterfalls. As we began to glance the waterfalls, we hurriedly took a picture of it. It was a moment of braveness as we fight against the cold water that is shivering.
We swam; we took a booze; we took pictures; they jumped; they took video documentations; and we enjoy every minute of our stay at Pasukulan Waterfalls. The waterfalls is truly a paradise.
Pasukulan falls
The team at Pasukulan falls
Return to Orani, Bataan
We return to the campsite after spending hours at Pasukulan Waterfalls, and break camp while we cooked our food for lunch before returning back to the jump-off. We stayed there for a while discussing about our next journey.
After finally enraging ourselves with food to finally battle the scarcity which the trails will offers on our way back, we started trailing back on the same route. I started my pace slowly because I was quite fully loaded at that time. We were able to regroup at one of the manga tree and disperse quickly. Knowingly, my fellow participants are excited and very driven to go back as soon as possible to taste the lomi of Batangas for the second time in the jump-off.
We return to the campsite after spending hours at Pasukulan Waterfalls, and break camp while we cooked our food for lunch before returning back to the jump-off. We stayed there for a while discussing about our next journey.
After finally enraging ourselves with food to finally battle the scarcity which the trails will offers on our way back, we started trailing back on the same route. I started my pace slowly because I was quite fully loaded at that time. We were able to regroup at one of the manga tree and disperse quickly. Knowingly, my fellow participants are excited and very driven to go back as soon as possible to taste the lomi of Batangas for the second time in the jump-off.
Our group picture before going back to the jump-off
Note that there is a traverse trail exiting in Morong, Bataan. Hence, the traverse trail will not commence on the summit, but instead nearby the falls down the lofty Mt. Natib.
Upon reaching the view point area, we halted for a while and took pictures along with my buddy, while we wait for the others to come. We were perfectly showered with good weather for us to entirely view the entire Mt. Natib and its ranges.
Amidst our rest, our guide finally arrived at the view point along with the last participants, so we began to continue our descent to the jump-off. And after hours gone by, we finally arrived at the jump-off.
Indeed, Mt. Natib is a beauty and it held a special place in my heart because of the memorable experience I had with her. She is truly an amazing mountain.
Upon reaching the view point area, we halted for a while and took pictures along with my buddy, while we wait for the others to come. We were perfectly showered with good weather for us to entirely view the entire Mt. Natib and its ranges.
Amidst our rest, our guide finally arrived at the view point along with the last participants, so we began to continue our descent to the jump-off. And after hours gone by, we finally arrived at the jump-off.
Indeed, Mt. Natib is a beauty and it held a special place in my heart because of the memorable experience I had with her. She is truly an amazing mountain.
Pictures
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Photo Credit: Maan Villamor
Meron po ba spot for camping na may view. Masarap kasi ung pagising sa umaga may sunrise :-)
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