Conquered: Mt. Batulao

Mt. Batulao is located at Nasugbu, Batangas. A minor climb, rated by Pinoy Mountaineer as 4/9 difficulty with a trail class 1-3, it is at 811+ MASL.  The trail is easy as it is very visible. The hike itself is a good deal for beginners but real deal on this hike is the gusty winds which startle the dusts and the direct heat from the sun due to its open trail.  On an average, it is 2-3 hour trek to the summit.

Conquered Mt. Batulao

Panoramic shot of Mt. Batulao's ridges

From the drop off point, Evercrest Golf course, it is 15-20 walk to the nearby village which is the jump off of the trek to some. In our case, we opted to ride a tricycle since you can save time and effort and were dropped off near the mountain.

The ridges of Mt. batulao

It is supposed to be an easy and half a day hike but it took as 5-6 hours to complete it. Thus for one great reason, traffic. Yep, there is a traffic along the trail due too so much number of hikers that day we chose to climb. This will cause you to slow down and take unnecessary breaks. Addition to that, photo op is time consuming since a lot of people are taking turns to have a picture taken. In result, I hardly had a good number of decent pictures.

my aunt with the ridges as her background

Mt. Batulao is known for its up and down trails. It has 12 peaks and the summit is situated at Peak 10. There are two trails for this hike, the old and new. Some of the hikers would prefer the traverse to experience the two trails. The new trail is easier compared to the old trail. Both offer steep trails and involves a little bit of rappelling. The old trail though is a little bit rocky and dustier due to the loose soil.

a view along the way to the summit

You will definitely be awed by the great view you so while you hike, but that's for the first hour. You will eventually see the same thing all through out the trail which makes you focus more on your hike to finish it ASAP. 

Convenient Stores for stop overs

Convenient stores are available all through out the hike. Though, keep in mind that merchandise are a little bit pricey. That is the simple approach of supply and demand.

Endless trails

Steep slope

A view from the summit

Mandatory Summit Shot with Mt. Batulao's Ridges in my background

The Summit offers a 360 degree view of Batangas and is indeed breathtaking. If it werent really for the scorching heat of the sun, Id stay a little longer. After 30 mins, we started our descend via the old trail.

traffic! waiting my turn.

The very first challenge is the rocky steep descend. First stop is to rappel. It took a lot of time just waiting my turn in queue. Some would took minutes just to reach the bottom which in my case tops 20 secs. If it wasn't for my backpack, Id dare myself not to use the rope since local guides don't use it.

Our guide. yep, he is young but not the youngest among of them

That guy in red climbed without any rope to aid him. Yes, it is possible.

 The descend was another two-i-feel-like-forever-walk- hours. The old trail though is really good for trail running. I saw a few who did it.

The view of Mt Batulao's Ridges from the Old trail

highly exaggerated getup

This is my third hike from the my first climb and third in just a span of 2 months. Hiking really made its course for me to love it more. Though compared to my other two hikes, this is the first time i have encountered open trail. Frankly, i don't like it. Bu i don't think I would have wished that it rained because it would have been a hellish nightmare. Even with all the sunblock and fully covered apparel, I was not able to escape the trace of sun beams of Mt. Batulao. Overall, it was a great experience. If this is how they class 4 of difficulty then, higher classes must be more difficult and I need to be more prepared.  

Suggested Itinerary

4:00 am  Gil Puyat/Buendia Bus Terminal, Bus to Nasugbu

               ***private transpo, use SLEX, exit to Sta Rosa, drive your way to Nasugbu via Tagaytay

6:00 am  ETA drop off, Evercrest Golf Course

            ***this can be your jump off and start your hike, in our case we hired a tricycle                to drop us off to the nearest possible jump off; secure a guide

6:45 am  Start Trek Via New trail

9:00 am  Summit, photo ops

10:00am Start Descend via Old Trail

12:00nn  ETD Jump off, get a tricycle

12:30pm ETA Evercrest Golf Course Drop off, wait for passing bus back to the Metro or                 side trip to Tagaytay

Expenses

P 110 x 2  Bus fare from Buendia to Evercrest Gof course, DLTB vice versa (per person)

P 300 x 2 Hired Tricycle (good for 4-5 person)

P 400       Guide Fee  ***some pay P300 as standard fee

P 20         Reg fee per person, via new trail each person

P 30          **addtl reg fee via old trail if traverse each person

 as of April 2015

P.S. All photos used were owned by the blogger unless stated otherwise. Photos are taken with Nikon D5100 and Kata M2..