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Pentalogy: 5 peaks in 1 day!

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Pen-ta-lo-gy (n); Penta-“five” and Logia-“discourse”. A set of five works of art that are somewhat connected, and that can be seen either as a single work or as five individual works.

Pentalogy Climb; In mountaineering, it simply means to climb 5 different mountains in just one day or in one exploration.

BACKGROUND OF THE FIVE MOUNTAINS

MT. SIPIT ULANG

Rodriguez, Rizal
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Mascap, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA: 14°45′20.7′′ N, 121°10′38.2′ 252 MASL (+210m)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3.5 hours
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9 (Paniki Trail), Trail class 1-4 with limestone scrambling
Features: Limestone formations, scenic views of Wawa

MT. AYAAS

Rodriguez, Rizal
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
Minor jumpoff: Brgy. Mascap, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA: 14°45′3.38′′ N, 121°12′27.5′ 627 MASL (+570)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 3-4 hours
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3 with river trekking
Features: River trekking, scenic views, waterfalls

MT. HAPUNANG BANOI

Rodriguez, Rizal
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA: 14°44′25.3′′ N, 121°11′30.4′ 517 MASL (+460m)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3.5 hours
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 1-4 with limestone scrambling
Features: Limestone formations, scenic views of Sierra Madre and Rizal province

MT. PAMITINAN

Rodriguez, Rizal
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA 14°43′51.7′′N 121°11′29.2′′ E 426 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1.5-3 hours (P
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9 Trail class 1-4

MT. BINACAYAN

Rodriguez, Rizal
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA (Binacayan): 14°43′30.5′′N 121°11′26.1′′ E 424 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours (B)
Specs: Minor, Difficulty: 3/9 (B) / Trail class 1-4


BEFORE THE HIKE/ THINGS TO BRING AND REMEMBER (HUGOT EDITION)
  • GLOVES
Mabato, mga matatalim na bato. Masasaktan ka kapag wala ka nito.
  • HEADLIGHT

Magsisimula ng madaling araw at maaring matapos ng gabi, kailangan mo ng ilaw para malinawan ka sa mga katotohanan. Wag ka ng magbulag bulagan pa sa kanya.
  • PACK LIGHT
Aanhin mo nga naman kasi ang excess baggage sa buhay? Pakawalan mo na yung mga nagpapabigat ng dalahin mo
  • EXERCISE
Sanayin mo na yung sarili mong mapagod kasi dun din tayo mapupunta
  • TAKE FIVE RULES
Kung hindi na kaya, huwag mahiyang magsabi. Tandaan: Pwedeng mapagod pero walang susuko.
  • DETERMINATION IS THE KEY
Its all in the mind. Kung pursigido, matatapos. Kaya oo, nasa isip mo lang yan, mag move on ka na!


ADDITIONAL:
2L-3L of Water
ORS (ORAL REHYDRATION SALT, can be found in Mercury Drugstores and other leading drugstores)
Extra Clothes after the hike
Packed Lunch; Trail Foods (Sweets to boost energy)
Omega/Pau Liniment
First Aid Kit


ACTUAL CLIMB EXPERIENCE


There were originally 20 participants for our Pentalogy climb which came from different groups and places, it is from the facebook group "CLIMBER" that brought us together. When we were waiting at Jolibee Farmers Cubao we came across a group of 4 mountaineers which will also do a Pentalogy Climb that day. We decided to just combine our group . So all in all, we are a total of 24 participants, so we hired 4 guides from Brgy. Mascap.

#TeamPenta
Mt. Sipit Ulang is the easiest among the five mountains. We started  our hike at exactly 5 o'clock in the morning and reached the summit of Sipit at 5:30. Sipit Ulang is famous for its beautiful rock formation at the summit almost similar to the famous Lioness Back and Rhino Rock Formation in Norzagaray, Bulacan. 




We started to descend at around 6 o'clock and proceed to the second mountain. Mt. Ayaas has three trails. Our guides decided to take the newest trail which I think is a big NO since this is more difficult knowing that the trails are not that established and we had a difficult time in ascending. 


Team Penta Ascending to Summit
Duterte Pose at Mt. Ayaas


View from the summit of Mt. Ayaas
The Organizers birthday greeting to our friend, Happy Birthday Donny!

We reached the summit of Mt. Ayaas at 8:15. 

At 8:45 we started to descend and proceed to junction of Mt. Hapunang Banoi and Mt. Pamitinan. We were really confused with our guides because they don't seem to know where they are going. Later on, I found out that they are new guides.

The adventure from Mt. Ayaas to Junction is the most challenging part since the sun is on its highest and burning point. Just imagine the heat you are experiencing at the city, multiply it by two!



It took us 2.5-3 hours to reach the junction. I can't possibly right in words the exhaustion I've experience from Mt. Ayaas to Junction. One thing I know: "HINDI KO NA BABALIKAN YUN"

Junction of Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Hapunang Banoi
There are stores where you can buy food and drinks. You can also rest in here as there are kawayan seats provided.

At 11:30 we had our lunch at the Junction. Our guides from Brgy. Wawa are already waiting there together with their President, Mr. Arnel Zata. We started to ascend in Mt. Hapunang Banoi at 12:30 in the afternoon. Mt. Hapunang Banoi is the most difficult among the five mountains. It has a difficulty level of 4/9 compare to the others that has 3/9 only. Most of the trail is of ultimate rock climbing and scrambling experience. 

JM and Clarrise the summit of Mt. Hapunang Banoi

At 1:30 we reached the summit of Mt. Hapunang Banoi, started to descend at 1:45 and arrived at the Junction at 2:30.

While resting, actress/dancer Ms. Yassi Pressman together with her friends were also there. 

Kelvin with Yassi at the summit of Mt. Pamitinan
Me with Ms. Yassi Pressman

Climbed Mt. Pamitinan at around 2:45 and reached its summit at 3:20. The trail of Mt. Pamitinan is somehow similar to Mt. Hapunang Banoi, big rocks and limestone formations. It is famous for its "Buwis Buhay" picturesque.


Master Xerxes Buwis Buhay Shot


Panoramic View at Mt. Pamitinan with Master Roel and Master Xerxes. Still kickin' at the age of 51!


Started to descend at 3:30 and reached the jump of pt of Wawa at 4:15 and continued the trek to Mt. Binicayan, the last mountain. They reached its summit at 5 o'clock and they arrived at DENR at 5:30.
The final four!

Strongest Lady I've ever known. Gail!

Among 24 participants, only 4 survived. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. I would like to congratulate the 4 participants who survived the Pentalogy Challenge amidst the scorching heat and unli bouldering, rock scrambling and non stop trekking!

The Pentalogy Survivors
From left: Sir Darwin; Sir Jose; Mam Gail; Sir JM with their guide Sir James

Most of us got a quadrology, some had trilogy and others had twin hike. 

THE REASONS AND ALIBI'S

Lack of physical preparation
Scorching Heat
Muscle Cramps
Inexperienced Guides from Brgy. Mascap
Knee Injuries
Lack of Determination
Better route planning
Large number of participants (I love everyone in our group! So, no regrets)

These are all just alibi's and reasons for not achieving the Pentalogy Hike.


ACTUAL ITINERARY OF OUR GROUP

01:00: Meet Up Jolibee Farmers Cubao
01:30: Take FX going to Total Montalban
02:15: ETA to TOTAL/Take tricycle going to Brgy.Mascap
03:00: Brgy Mascap Hall JOP/Register/Breakfast
05:00: Start Trek
5:30: Summit of Mt. Sipit Ulang/Picture Taking
6:00 Resume Trek
8:15: Summit of Mt. Ayaas/Picture Taking
8:45: Resume Trek
11:30: Arrival at Junction/Lunch/Rest
12:30: Resume Trek
1:30 Summit of Mt. Hapunang Banoi/ Picture Taking
1:45: Resume Trek
2:30: Junction
2:45 Resume Trek
3:20: Summit of Mt. Pamitinan/Picture Taking
3:30: Start Descend
4:15 JOP of Wawa/Start Ascend
5:00: Summit of Mt. Binicayan
5:30: Arrival at DENR/Socials
8:00: Departure
9:30: Arrival at Cubao


BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES:

FX (Cubao to Montalban) Php 50
Tricycle (Total to Brgy.Mascap) Php 40
Registration Brgy Mascap: Php
Guide Sharing Brgy Mascap: Php 150
(Mt. Sipit Ulang- 400; Mt. Ayaas-500=900 per guide; 900 x 4 guides= 3,600/24 participants=150 each)
Registration Brgy. Wawa: Php 50
Guide Sharing Brgy Wawa: Php 180
(1200 (Mt. Binacayan/Pamitinan/Banoi)x 3 guides= 3,600/20 participants-180 each)
The 4 participants had different guide since they already had their contact when we met them at Cubao Jolibee Farmers early in the morning.
Shower Fee: Php 25
Jeep (Brgy.Wawa to Puregold) Php 8
Jeep (Puregold to Cubao) Php 40
Total= Php 543
Other expenses:
Bag Tag: Php 50
Pentalogy Shirt: Php 300
Personal Expenses
Food/Drinks etc: Php 200

The design of our bag tag, certificate and t-shirt was especially made by one of our creative participant Mr. Bon De Guzman III.





Our certificate was funded by our head organizer, Mr. Sonskie Masangkay.

Our drifit shirt was rush printed by my friends, Kiko Kalikasan and Dyline Pasquin. You can search for them in facebook and ask them to print your own design for only Php 300. However, if you want the design like ours, you can ask permission from Mr. Bon and borrow its lay out.

You may also contact Mr. Arnel Zata, the president of guides in Brgy, Wawa if you are interested on having your own Pentalogy or Trilogy Hike. +639076004641

OVERALL THOUGHTS


Even if I wasn't successful with our pentalogy challenge, it was still a humbling and fun experience for me and my companions. We are 24 individuals with different stories, came from different paths of life and had our own reasons why we are climbing mountains but we all have one aim: To appreciate and protect our mountains, our environment, our nature because, really...IT IS NOT THE MOUNTAINS THAT WE CONQUER, BUT OURSELVES.







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