Mt. Romelo

Located in Siniloan, Laguna PH, known as Mt. Famy to some. definitely offers an exciting weekend getaway, just a 3 hour trip from manila, making it very accessible.

Mt. Romelo is known for it's waterfalls, the Buruwisan falls, Lanzones falls, Batya-batya falls, Sampaloc falls and the Old buruwisan falls.

The first time i've been here was wayback 2003 from then i keep going back from time to time. Just November 13-14, 2010, me and my colleagues together with some of my friends went here. it's still the same beauty and i hope it will never change.

After our work shift we went to Parklea crossing, Madaluyong city to take a jeepney to Tanay, Rizal.

from Tanay we took another one to Siniloan, Laguna where we bought supplies at the public market, from there board a tricycle bound to Mt. Romelo's Jump-off point for PHP 20.00 per head, often the tricycle drivers will say "Buruwisan!? Buruwisan!?"  after 15 minutes or so we reached the jump-off and crossed a river going to the registration.

We paid a registration fee of PHP 20.00 per head, Locals offer guide services but it's optional. then we started to trek. the trail is not that steep but on rainy season it gets muddy and will make the it difficult.

 After one hour we reached the first hill and rest.

at the top of the first hill

We reached the camsite after and hour and a half. the campsite has a store where you can also buy rice, canned good and other supplies. there's also huts for rent if you don't have any tent, the rate is PHP 200.00+. it's already dar when we arrived so after wee cooked dinner and have a couple of drinks we call it a night to prepare exploring first thing in the morning.

After breakfast we proceed to Buruwisan falls, that is just below the campsite. we took the steep trail going there since it much faster.

Buruwisan falls



Buruwisan



Tarzan max jump

After we dipped in Buruwisan, we went to Batya-batya falls which i think is 30 minutes away from the campsite, We're supposed to go to Sampaloc falls also but the current is Batya-batya is so strong, (the way to Sampaloc falls is actually to climb Batya-batya falls). unfortunately our camera's batteries died which is so frustrating. Here's my photo of the Sampaloc falls back in year 2004, I apologize for the picture's resolution, we don't have our digicam back then hehe.



Sampaloc falls, very similar to Buruwisan

and also at the top of the Old buruwisan, that i think is accessible by rappeling.

Old buruwisan

 We went to Lanzones falls for our last stop, I think it's about 20ft. high and has a small catch basin. i'll be posting picture of Lanzones, Batya-batya and Sampaloc falls when i get back to Mt.romelo again.

 I'll never forget the beauty of this place, i hope it will not change.

-Mt. Romelo, November 13-14, 2010

 How to get to Mt.Romelo

-Board a jeepney bound to Tanay, Rizal at Parklea crossing in Mandaluyong city
-From Tanay take another jeepney to Siniloan,Laguna, at Sinoloan take a tricycle to Mt. Romelo's Jump-off.

Tarak Ridge

Located in Mariveles, Bataan Philippines. it's peak stands 1130+ MASL, this is one of the popular destinations for some mountaineers. it offers a view of the corregidor island and manila bay. The place is beautiful but i don't recommend this to first time climbers, the trail to the ridge is so steep.

At the Jump-off 

This was our first major climb with my friends, we went here on March 26-27, 2011. we board a bus bound to Mariveles, Bataan then get off at Alas-asin.  you can catch these buses at their terminals in Cubao, Quezon city. we left at 8:00am. it took at least 3-4 hours to get to Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles (Tarak ridge's jump-off point). registration fee is required at the barangay hall for PHP20.00.

We had lunch on this small eatery just across the jump-off

A 30-45 minute walk from the jump-off before we reached the foot of the mountain, wherein we passed a residential area.

Start trek

The trail is not that difficult on the first part of the trek. there are also part of the trail that are not covered by trees so i suggest you bring sunblocks to protect the skin from the sun. on our way we encountered a trail that was destroyed by landslide, it's passable even without any ropes. After 3 hours we reached the Papaya river where we decided to camp then just proceed to the ridge early next morning.

Papaya river

We woke up at 6:00am then proceed to assault the ridge.we got to the ridge after two hours of strenous hike.

View from the campsite at the ridge

Then off we go to El saco peak.

  

    

There's a dense mini forest to the summit, also a part where we ducked just to pass through the bushes and small trees. finally we reached the peak, the view was really majestic. it was really worth it. by the way we ran out of drinking water in the ridge and summit. it is important that each person brings at least 2-3 liters of drinking water to be well hydrated.

At the peak

Tarak ridge
Mariveles, Bataan PH
- March 26-27, 2011


How to get to Tarak ridge

From Cubao, Quezon city  PH, board a bus bound to Mariveles, Bataan from five star bus terminal or any other terminals that offers the same trip.

Get off at Alas-asin from here register at the barangay hall, prepare a PHP20.00 registration fee.

* Going back to Manila, From Alas-asin, take a bus back to Cubao.
- Locals said that the last trip for the buses that passes by Alas-asin is at 5pm.