"Because the Heart and Mind of mine is in dire need of getting its feet back on the ground. There, I find myself at the Peak of Mt. Daraitan and its Meandering Tinipak River."
That's what I had to post on facebook after battling whole day with the mud, rocks, steep trail and outpouring rain. I even asked myself why did I end up here when in the first place I only want a day of rest for my tired mind, body and spirit. For the past months I am too busy making both ends meet for all my schedules. Family time, friends, being a leader in Charismatic Community, Work with unending overtime and making baby steps in pursuing self development. But somehow, if you try to give everything you have to fall in its right place, you'll get drained. You can feel the emptiness even if People around you keeps on telling you they got your back. You're anxious, restless and disoriented. Little by little, disappointments come along, failure after failure, rejections after rejections. That's what happen when you keep on moving without direction. So, How to combat those insurmountable odds in life? Just go with the calling of the mountains. It is biblical that People just like Moses, Isaac, Elijah, who needs to talk to the Lord climb into the mountains, and there they find peace and solitude right? When my dear friend invites me to go for a day hike (Joiner trip) I was thinking of these things. To tell every affliction of my heart to the mountains where you can feel you are talking closely to the Lord. And it was all set without thinking of any back outs on Oct 26, 2019.
Our day started 12 midnight when the Van arranged to meet us near our place in Bulacan. we had some stop over somewhere in Ortigas to meet our Coordinators. Arriving at Brgy. Daraitan 4am with so much expectations of a good weather. We were welcomed by a non-stop rain. At that moment, I knew this wouldn't be an easy day hike as it was suppose to be. No turning back we secure ourselves and our things by buying a disposable coat offered in the parking area. Not wasting time, we ride a makeshift boat to get to the other side of the river. then ride a tricycle that will take us to Barangay hall and registration area. From there, we walk few meters to the house of our Coordinator. Since He is also a local in the area. They asked us to leave some of our belongings that is not needed going up like clothes for changing and other unnecessary objects that might add weight and put us in a slow and distracted climbing pace. We were introduced by other guides and have us oriented that the mountain we are trying conquer is considered Minor since it is less than 1000 MASL with difficulty class of 4/9 and 90degrees angle to climb. But everything changes when it rains. The Trail becomes unfriendly and will let you exceed all your limits. Difficulty becomes 6/9 when bad weather strikes. A classification that can be considered for hardcore hikers and major mountain enthusiast. Up for Challenge? I don't usually say no to a challenge and I think, maybe this is what I really need. And so we go on.
It started with a paved steep uphill road, the small rocks started to show then mud. Not just mud, but slippery and quicksand like mud. We were just starting and we can feel how hard it can be. After 45min of continuously uphill trail, we arrived at Station 1. From there, fogs can be seen and also from there, We prepare ourselves to a more difficult situation. Going to Station 2, rocks starting to get bigger and unsafe if you don't have gloves in your hands. Rain also starting to get heavy that's why we are also having a hard time holding on to vines, trunks and grass not get slipped. We were also taught to always use GPS (gapang para safe) witty right?! Honestly, most of the time we really had to crawl just to advance and climb to upper level by using vines to help us get up. Another 1 hour and we reached the Station 2. From there, our guides decided to get first to their so-called heart peak (a man made nest-like with a heart shape) facing Mt. Mamara and the meandering Tinipak river. It is a diversion of crowd, so People will not spend an eternity on the line to the Mt. Daraitan's Peak. Going to the heart peak from station is another story. It was like entering a mini forest with downhiil and uphill climb. For about 30 min. A nice view dawned on us. Still raining but sea of clouds or should I say fog gives a different appeal to the scene. We were early to get there so, we're the second group to take our shot in the area. We're not time pressured for the crowd hasn't arrive yet, or maybe they're all at the Main Peak.
After some shots, we get back to station 2 and hurriedly climb to station 3, where the main Peak is a few meters away. Going to Station 3 might be most steep of them all. Bouldering sharp rocks, climb using vines and trunks, crawl on the uphill mud with the risk of slipping back down. we were extra careful about this since one mistake might risk ourlives and the one at our back. Upon arriving at station 3 we were exhausted but we have to proceed right away to the peak. We were told by another group that the main peak was too crowded and the guides agreed to bring us to their not-so-secret spot. Somewhere near the main peak is another rock formation with the same view less the crowd. It was called Biboy's Peak. A group has just left when we arrive there. We own the place and got our unlimited time taking photos one by one. With enough photos and small amount of rest, we still decided to take a glimpse at the main peak. To our disappointment, we left immediately the crowd and head our way to our last destination. No other than the Tinipak River. Going there is a traverse. The most exhausting part of the day. It was like unending downhill, entering forest like ambiance, slipping through the muds, thinking of how we can get ourselves out of the small hole from the rocks/cavelike. The guides told us to keep on using UPS (Upo para safe) also GPS (gapang para safe). In my mind, I am asking why am I doing this? How long would this be? Why does it have to be this hard? Can I just stop? with 3 stops for rest we still go on. We overtake some groups having difficulty in finishing the trail. Some of the People we encounter were crying, chilling for they cannot bend their knees to go on. After almost 2 hours of struggling, we arrive at Tinipak river. It was 2pm when we get there and have our breakfast/lunch/snacks. Yes, all in one. We haven't taken our breakfast when we start to climb and was late for lunch when we arrive at the river.
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| At station 1 |
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| Fog from the view of station 1 |
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| Station 2 |
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| At the heart peak |
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| At Biboy's Peak |
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| Stop over going to Tinipak River |
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| I thought my feet has been buried already |
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| the ever gorgeous Tinipak River |
It is never a doubt that mountains are God's creation where one can find peace and solitude. I may not be a professional mountain hiker but frequent visit to the mountains gives my heart a different kind of Joy and satisfaction. This time, Mt. Daraitan might have heard all my plea. Literally and Figuratively, I set aside and forgot all my anxieties even my sanity hahaha lol! just to survive the day. To be able to get back with complete body parts, less bruises and of course finish the trail before my asthma came in. It was a different kind of experience where you almost curse the hardship you're experiencing and at same time loving the reward that comes after the view that dawned before your naked eyes. True enough that Gems are rare and hard to find. Nothing in this world would be as easy as ABC if you want to see something grand and astounding like what we have seen. Just like every struggles we have in life. it may look like a never ending one. failures, rejections and disappointments are like muds, sharp rocks, cliff edge and forest maze that we have to overcome to get the most precious reward. Everything is needed for one's growth and development. To appreciate accomplishments at the end of the journey, one must strive hard and finish what is being started. I know, for sure to climb more mountains even after this and be able to refresh my soul with its astounding beauty.
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