Mt. Banahaw via Tayabas 1996. One of my most memorable climbs attributed to the purity of the water and the company

Mt. Banahaw via Tayabas PALMC Induction Climb

30 November - 2 December 1996

Jump-off point is at Nawawalang Paraiso, a resort at the foot of Mt. Banahaw, Tayabas Side. Travel time is 2 1/2 to 3 hours from the Tritran Bus Terminal in EDSA/ Kamias via Lucena. From Lucena, take a jeepney for 30 minutes that leads to Tayabas. Modest trek from the jump-off point to Camp 1 that takes about 2 hours. Water source is everywhere, at the river along the trail and at the campsite. Camp 1 can accommodate hundreds of tents. But beware of limatics. Trek to Camp 2 is difficult requiring at last 6 hours of continuous trek. Camp 2 can accommodate only about 8 regular tents. Camp 2 is right above a terrific waterfalls. Trek from Camp 2 to the peak is another 4 hours of un-established trail. Starting elevation is 325 meters, Camp 1 is 615 meters, 1,600 + at Camp 2.  Peak is 2,177 meters.

Wilderness Ethics:

1. Prepare well. 2. Respect local practices. 3. Be conscious of your impact on the wilderness. 4. Camp well. 5. Carry down all garbage. 6. Practice healthy sanitation. 7. No chemicals on the river for washing yourself and dishes. 8. No fires. 9. No smoking. 10. Respect space of others. 11. Be involved.

Take nothing but pictures. Kill nothing but time. Leave nothing but footprints.

Itinerary Proper:

30 November Saturday	1 December Sunday
7:30 am-assemble at Tritran KAmias. 8:45 am-leave for Lucena 11:30 am-arrive at Lucena 11:45 am-leave Lucena for Tayabas 12:30 pm-arrive at Nawawalang Paraiso 1:45 pm-lunch 2:30 pm-leave for Camp 1 4:30 pm-arrive at Camp 1.   set-up camp 5:30 pm-prepare for dinner 6:45 pm-dinner 7:30 pm-socials 12:30 am-lights  out, rain in	6:30 am-wake up call 7:30 am-prepare for breakfast 8:30 am-breakfast.  prepare for lunch 9:30 am-break camp.  clean up 10:00 am-ascend for camp 2 12:30 pm-lunch at river 2:30 pm-break up lunch set-up 3:00 pm-continue ascend to Camp 2 4:30 pm-arrive at campsite 5:30 pm-prepare dinner 6:30 pm-retire.  socials

2 December Monday
6:00 am-wake up call 7:00 am-induction 8:00 am-breakfast 9:30 am-break camp.  prepare lunch 10:00 am-descend 12:30 pm-lunch 1:15 pm-restart trek 3:15 pm-arrive at Camp 1 4:10 pm-arrive at Nawawalang Paraiso	3:00 pm-socials at Paraiso 5:30 pm-shower 6:30 pm-leave Paraiso 6:45 pm-socials 8:00 pm-leave Paraiso 8:45 pm-reach Lucena 9:30 pm-leave for Manila 12:30 am-arrive Manila

TIME	TEMP	ALT	TIME	TEMP	ALT	TIME	TEMP	ALT
2:39pm 2:45 3:00 3:15 3:30 3:45 4:00 4:15 4:30 4:45 5:00 5:15	25.7º C 22.7 23.5 24.9 24.6 23.7 22.7 22.6 20.5 19.7 19.7 20.6	325 m 360 415 450 480 525 550 595 650 630 630 625	5:30pm 5:45 6:00 6:15 6:30 6:45 7:00 7:15 7:30 7:45 8:00	20.2ºC 19.6 20.0 20.9 20.3 20.2 19.9 20.0 20.1 19.5 1935	635 m 625 620 625 620 620 620 615 615 615 610	8:15pm 8:30 8:45 9:00 9:15 9:30 9:45 10:00 10:15 10:30	19.4º C 20.0 20.3 20.4 19.7 21.3 20.7 20.9 21.1 21.1	615 m 615 615 615 615 610 610 610 610 610

Personal Equipment Requirements:

__Backpack __3 Liters Water __2 Dinner __2 Breakfast __Tent __Sleeping Bag __Whistle __Earthpad

__Garbage Bags __Transpo Money __Camera/ Film __Flashlight __Batteries/ Bulb __Extra Shirts/ Pants __Eating Utensils __Jacket

__Rain gear __Slippers __First Aid __Basic Toiletries __Toilet Paper __Personal Medicine __Matches/ Lighter

Tent Assignments: Photo Coverage:

Lantern: Scribe:

Cooksets: Stoves:

Banahaw Through Tayabas Climb

What drives people to confirm to a Banahaw climb via Tayabas only at the last moment? They say it’s a tough climb-only for the true mayabang and the macho. It’s led by Lex Gerald, that should give you an idea of what the socials are like. Lots of booze if provided and lots of third degree probing.

No one is in shape in this Christmas month. Series of parties and drinking by a number of people I know. The unpredictable, rainy, stormy season. Not too inviting for a place known for limatics.

And who’s the T.L.? Vincent, notorious for the association with climbs that never make it to the peak-Halfcon, Guiting-guiting, Ugu, Sembrano (no waterfalls).

A 3-day climb that can extend to Tuesday just in case descending needs more time. And it comes right after a long APEC holiday. There goes another sick leave.

We don’t even know the inductees-Juliet Gonzales, Rhoda Ramos, Mitch Soria, Darwin Farin. Except for Darwin, their sponsors abandoned them all.

But what they didn’t say were:

Banahaw is a fantastic place. Dark hovering clouds, cool winds, clean waters, big trees, hypnotic waterfalls and refreshing rain guided us all the way to the top and down. Banahaw is both mythical and mystical-thanks to the stories of Pastor, Barry, Vincent and Lex. Banahaw guided us through a safe journey, from down to up and down.

The company is great. Lex as always is helpful and friendly to all. A mellowed version according to Pastor and according to Lex’s own admission.

• Vincent was himself. No hang-ups, no calling attention. Simply the real Vincent who wants to relate to people.
• Barry as always was industrious, accommodating and not a burden. Most especially to . . . those who needed help.
• Mayan was there for us and for whom? Perhaps for all of us even if she didn’t bring anything except her wallet. That is important.
• Juliet wanted to get pregnant and didn’t get it. Banahaw did not allow. But she was strong enough to make it through. Stronger was Rhoda - helpful in cooking and in entertaining our E.L. And in providing light moments with us.
• Manolet provided strength - to the leader and to himself. But strong men retire early.
• Amard provided silence. Only to be talkative to Mayan at the Nawawalang Paraiso bar. Some precious lines - ”pagod na ako, mauna ka na!”
• Darwin was always with Lex. Couldn’t read whether he was enjoying or complaining. At times too loud and noisy and sometimes so quiet.
• Mitch is the inductee’s champion. Carried all the stuff, lots of food and water, cooked for all, cleaned for all and joked for all. Revealed several female personalities who are madaldal, mabait, masipag, maunderstanding. magaling kumanta.
• Joel is a new friend. A champion rock climber who doesn’t even know why he is in the company of non-performers. Eventually Banahaw gave him the answer. Through his medium Pastor and San Miguel Beer.

And as for me, it is enough that I make a small contribution, appreciate the company and nature. Thank you E.L. for the climb and the inspiring prayer. Everything you asked for in the prayer for you and for us were granted.

Banahaw gave us a feeling of Christmas. But it felts like it was taken away when we arrived back at the city. Banahaw will make it come back. Longer . . .  Merry Christmas!