Mt. Hapunang Banoi
2:33 AM
Last APEC summit holiday, my friends and I decided to climb
Mt. Hapunang Banoi found in Rodriguez, Rizal.
Rodriguez is an urban municipality found in the northern part of the province of Rizal. A lot of mountains can be found in Rodriguez, Rizal namely Mt. Pamitinan, Mt. Binicayan, Mt. Ayaas, Mt. Sipit- Ulang and Mt. Hapunang Banoi.
HOW TO GET THERE:
FROM PHILCOA
1 1. From Philcoa ride a jeep going to Maly and go
down at the Maly terminal. The jeep fare cost P22.00
2. Then from Maly Terminal, ride a jeep going to
Montalban and ask the driver to drop you at Eastwood Montalban. The jeep fare
cost P7.50
3. Ride a tricycle going to Barangay Wawa or just tell the tricycle driver to bring you to the DENR. The tricycle ride cost P10.00
3. Ride a tricycle going to Barangay Wawa or just tell the tricycle driver to bring you to the DENR. The tricycle ride cost P10.00
FROM CUBAO
1. Ride a UV
express van going to Rodriguez Rizal (Montalban Eastwood) for P50.00
2. From Eastwood Montalban, ride a tricycle going
to Barangay Wawa or DENR.
We took the Philcoa route because majority of our companions
were coming from North. We left Philcoa at 7:15 am and arrived on DENR at around
8:30 am.
Upon arrival, we registered at the DENR office and paid a
P2.00 entrance fee.
From there, a tour guide will be assigned to your group.
Our tour guide was Kuya Joel.
According to kuya
Joel there are three summit in Mt. Pamitinan and it will take 2-3 hours
to reach the final summit.
·
Turista feels* we went to the souvenir shop
first where my new found friends bought an arm cover and gloves. They also have
bag tags, button pins and t-shirts there in case you want a souvenir after your
hike.
We saw some people climbing this part of the mountain.
Friends, ano ang pinaglalaban natin dito?
You will pass by this Balete tree, you can take a picture there but don't forget to say "tabi tabi po" so you won't disturb the creatures living there (if you know what i mean).
Before we started our official hike we had a stop over in the junction between Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Hapunang Banoi. There's a sari-sari store where you can buy more food and water in case you did not bring enough. Also if you brought a heavy bag, the tour guide will ask you to leave your bag there and bring only the important things like water, camera and money, so better bring a belt bag.
This picture was taken in the second summit.
Please be careful when taking a picture especially if you are doing any buwis buhay pose.
·
My personal favorite was the third summit. It was not an easy hike, every stretching, every jump and every sweat was all worth it. At first, my knees were wobbling but as soon as I saw the view on the summit I started to feel calm.
·
While I was there I felt like I was on the top
of the world, I felt like I can see everything. I am so thankful being able to witness the beauty of nature.
The rocks are pointy and sharp, so you better bring gloves.
Abot ko ang mundo moments.
Congrats team for being able to finish Mt. Hapunang Banoi!
·
On our way home.
We had a little side trip to Wawa Dam but I’m
saving it for another post.
Just a little reminder before you start your Mt. Hapunang
Banoi adventure:
1. Be sure that you are physically and mentally
prepared before the climb. Perhaps exercise or jog few days before the climb.
2. Eat before climbing the mountain.
3. Wear sunscreen, clothes that will cover your arms
and a cap (optional). Sobrang init, trust me.
4. Do not wear shorts instead wear thick leggings
or jogging pants.
5. Wear a
rubber shoes.
6. You might want to protect your hands from the
pointy and sharp rocks, I suggest you wear gloves.
5. Bring water (at least 2 liters), trail food and
packed lunch.
6. Bring extra clothes.
To go back to Manila:
1. Ride a tricycle back to Eastwood Montalban.
2. Ride a UV express going to cubao Or a jeepney
going back to Philcoa.
Breakdown of expenses:
Jeepney fare to Maly : P22
Jeepney fare to Eastwood Montalban: P7.50
Tricycle fare to DENR: P10
Entrance Fee: P2
Barangay Donation: P5
Tourguide fee: P550 (split this to your group we paid P78.50
each for the guide fee)
Tricycle fare to Eastwood Montalban: P10
UV express fare to Cubao: P50
Total: P185
Of course bring extra money incase you want to buy
souvenirs, extra food and drinks.
Hiking Mt. Hapunang Banoi was such a wonderful experience, I
met new people, got the chance to witness the beauty of nature. I can’t wait to
climb the neighboring Mountains of Mt. Hapunang Banoi.
That's all for now,
0 comments