mt.Batulao

MT. BATULAO

Nasugbu, BatangasJump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, NasugbuLLA: 14.0408 N 120.8011 E 811 MASLDays required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-4 hoursSpecs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3 with 60-70 degrees assault

BACKGROUND

The cool and arid clime of Mt. Batulao is a pleasant escape from the tropics. The moment you alight from the Crow bus at Evercrest Golf Course – the jumpoff – you will feel the same coolness felt by the visitors of Tagaytay. And this temperature will be with you all the way. Batulao is the only mountain in the region where you can wear jackets at high noon. You have to. There is no tree cover throughout the climb. On sunny days, this paradoxical blending of heat and cold, on dramatic, sometimes steep landscapes, with forceful winds that make the cogon grass dance, forming beautiful waveforms across the slopes, earns for Batulao the distinction of being the most spectacular of the mountains in Batangas.

ITINERARY

0400 ETD bus terminal in EDSA-Taft via Crow Bus Lines to Nasugbu, Batangas (P114.00)0715 Arrival at Evercrest0730 Start trek0930 Arrival at Camp 1 (fee of P20.00)1015 Arrival at Camp 8, commence summit assault1100 Arrival at summit; lunch1200 Start descent1530 Back at Evercrest; clean-up at nearby sari-sari store1600 ETD for Tagaytay by jeepney (P24.00)1630 ETA Tagaytay; anything goes from here*For the new trail, a 0730 start trek can take you to the summit by 0930, and it is just around 1.5 hours going down. Use these figures to make your itinerary if you are passing by the new trail.

SPECIAL CONCERNS

During the cool months of December-February, jackets or long-sleeved shirts have a dual purpose in Batulao: they protect you from the chilly morning temperature, and shield you from the sun’s UV rays. Avoid garments that easily stain with dust, for Batulao is arid. During the rainy season, however, Batulao also gets humid, so wear clothes according to your comfort. Also, during rainy days, the portions of the trails could be severely muddy -- preparing accordingly. In all seasons, however, long-sleeved clothing is still advised.For the old trail, some would advice wearing gloves during the final ascent to Batulao’s peak, but it would depend on the hiker’s grip and convenience. For the new trail, gloves are not needed nor recommended.Boy guides, aged 8-17, wait for mountaineers by the highway; you can secure their services for a range of prices but PinoyMountaineer.com recommends P300/day. Don't worry much about the 'child labor' aspect as these kids are able to go to school on weekdays; they do the guiding on weekends as their part-time job.You can save time by taking a tricycle from the highway to the end of the road - about a 20-minute trip that costs P100/tricycle ride. You can also get their cellphone number to fetch you on your way back. At the small village that you will pass by foot or trike, you can buy food and water. A local ice cream is also sold.At Camp 1, P20 fee is collected; a similar fee is collected at the New Trail campsite. Take note: If you want to two different trails up and down, you must pay P20 on both sides.There are no immediately accessible water sources throughout the Batulao trail but guides can access further sources, 30 minutes away for you on either trails. For dayhikes, 1.5-2 L water is advised. Cellphone signal is present throughout the climb.TRIVIAThe altitude gain from the jump-off point to the summit is actually less than 300 MASL.The UP Med Outdoor Society celebrated its first anniversary on Mt. Batulao in January 19, 2008.