Mt. Sicapoo Traverse via Timarid-Simagaysay | How to survive a 9/9 mountain for a 'newbie' mountaineer.
MT. SICAPOO
Solsona, Ilocos Norte
Entry point: Gasgas River, Brgy. Manalpac, Solsona
Exit point: Solsona Dam, Brgy. Manalpac, Solsona
LLA: 2354 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 4 days / 16-18 hours
Specs: Major climb, Exploratory, Difficulty 9/9, Trail class 2-5
Features: Pine forest, Traverse trail, River crossing
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9 mountains named are the ff:
1. Balbalitok Peak
2. Saulay Peak
3. Bubuos Peak
4. Balbalite Peak
5. Pakpako Peak
6. Matalindong Peak
7. Sicapoo (Penguin Peak)
8. Timarid Peak
9. Simagaysay Peak
I was invited by my friends from M-Trek Mountaineering Club whom I met from my #Pentalogy hike last April 19, 2016. I saw this as an opportunity to finally have my first 9/9 mountain. At first, I was hesitant because I was doubting my capability but they assured me that I can already do an exploration like this.
How to finish your first 9/9 mountain? Well, I just have 5 things to point out:
1. Physical Preparation
Major Climbs requires physical preparation days or weeks before the climb itself. You can't just decide to climb a mountain without adequate exercise regardless if its a minor or major climb.
2. Light Pack
Your bag should be as light as possible. Be selective with what you take. As for me, I have a dextroscoliosis (a specific term meaning scoliosis with a curvature of the spine to the right). My doctor advised me not to carry heavy loads but yeah, I'm stubborn eh? My load weighs about 10 kg, that's already light compared to their bags which is 15-20 kg. I don't have a tent with me because Kuya Bon volunteered to bring a tent for the girls. Also, food supply for four days were carried by the porters.
3. Correct Mindset
If you are really determined, nothing is impossible.
4. Good company and Good laugh
There were many times that I doubted myself but you know what makes me run out of breath? -Laughing. I can't literally breathe because of our endless witty conversations. I really suggest that when you climb a major mountain, you do it with your friends, it will be a big help and energy booster. I'd like to take this moment to thank Kuya Roel, Kuya Bon, Kuya Jojo,Master Xerxes, Ate Maica and Gail for making my first major major climb a one of a kind experience.
5. Prayer
Lastly, all of the things I've mentioned above is nothing if you don't ask for guidance to our loving Lord. I mean, we were almost struck by a lightning bolt! Even the strongest person cannot endure something like that, only God can protect you.
With this, I realized that climbing major mountains is not just about being strong, it is with the correct attitude that makes you finish it. Truly, mountains can make any one humble.
CLIMB PROPER (MAY 19-22, 2016)
We had our climb last May 19-22,2016. We chose "Farinas Transit" located at Lacson Ave near Dangwa because based on our research, it is the only bus company that has direct route from Manila going to Solsona, Ilocos Norte, Other bus companies only offers Manila-Laoag route then you will have to ride another bus/jeep going to Solsona. The bus leaves at exactly 7pm everyday. The fare is around Php 650 only.
At 6 o'clock in the morning we arrived at Solsona which make it a total of 10-11 hours of travel including bus stops. We proceeded to Solsona Police Station for registration, they gave us their numbers in case of any emergency that might happen during the climb. Take note: No fees were collected.
We are only 7 in our group so we had 3 guides/porters that we contacted a week before the climb.
Contact Number: 09354275882-Edmund
Guide/Porter's Fee: Php 3,500 per day for the 3 of them
Day 1
A day full of river crossing at Gasgas River. We had a total of 12 river crossings so one must really have their bags waterproofed. We had our lunch at the end of gasgas river.
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Me and Gail together with the lead guide, Kuya Zaldy is leading the group. Little did we know, Jojo and Maica together with the sweeper, Tatay Emilio was almost struck by lightning. According to them, they were walking when Maica asked for a jelly ace from Kuya Jojo, so they stopped for a while to get the jelly ace when the lightning struck 10 ft before them. They both rolled into the trail since they really felt the current from it. Maica was black out for a minute when Jojo tried to crawl going to Maica, asking her if she was okay. If not for the jelly ace, they wont be able to share this story. LOL
It was still raining hard when we arrived at the first campsite. Kuya Roel and Jojo cooked dinner for us. The best Chicken Curry I've ever tasted! (Mountains can really do wonders, everything you eat is delicious) *evil laugh*
I think we were still awake at 8pm and the rain hasn't stopped yet. I was really praying hard to God to keep us safe from lightning bolts. Thinking I still want to wake up alive the next morning. I was really scared that time but also thankful that Ate Maica and Kuya Jojo were safe.
Day 3
Unlike on our previous days, we woke up early for our 3rd day. We started our trek at 5am so we had to use our headlights for the first time.
Mt.Pakpaku Trail (5 of 9) still consists of pine forests. While Mt. Matalidong (6 of 9) and Mt. Sicapoo itself (7 of 9) is of mossy forests and minimal limatiks were also observed. I don't know but I'm really a fan of Mossy Forests, I mean, the view is magical and enchanting to my eyes.
This is the most rewarding sight I've ever seen in my mountaineering life. Imagine we were walking/trekking/hiking for 3 days just to see this penguin like rock formation.
It's true that the best views comes from the hardest climb.
Day 2
We started trekking at 9 o'clock in the morning. We passed unto a forest full of limatiks! Since they were all scared of these tiny little blood suckers, we had our fastest pace there just to get rid of them. But yeah, limatiks are sticky!
Blood Leeches; 'Limatik' (Tagalog), 'Limatok' (Bicol and nearby provinces, and 'matok' (Cordilleras); Basically a leech living in a forested or terrestrial ecosystems that are known to be continually wet. These segmented worms are mostly Hematophagous or blood suckers.
Blood Leeches; 'Limatik' (Tagalog), 'Limatok' (Bicol and nearby provinces, and 'matok' (Cordilleras); Basically a leech living in a forested or terrestrial ecosystems that are known to be continually wet. These segmented worms are mostly Hematophagous or blood suckers.
That's my feet right there. 😂😂😂
The rest of the day we were trekking along pine forests of Mt. Bubuos (3 of 9) and Mt. Balbalite (4 of 9).
We reached the campsite at 3pm and the rain started to pour again.
Day 3
Unlike on our previous days, we woke up early for our 3rd day. We started our trek at 5am so we had to use our headlights for the first time.
Mt.Pakpaku Trail (5 of 9) still consists of pine forests. While Mt. Matalidong (6 of 9) and Mt. Sicapoo itself (7 of 9) is of mossy forests and minimal limatiks were also observed. I don't know but I'm really a fan of Mossy Forests, I mean, the view is magical and enchanting to my eyes.
We reached Mt. Sicapoo summit at 8:30
This is the most rewarding sight I've ever seen in my mountaineering life. Imagine we were walking/trekking/hiking for 3 days just to see this penguin like rock formation.
It's true that the best views comes from the hardest climb.
We descended at 9:30, at Mt. Matalidong we bumped into my friend Aaron together with his group.
At 12 noon we reached the campsite and ate lunch. The rain was pouring again. So we resume our trek at 2pm and proceeded to Saulay Junction where we are going to spent our 3rd night. We met Mr. Erik there, the organizer of the group we bumped into earlier.
We had a small talk and ought to know that their guides left them on their 2nd day. According to Erik, the guides name are CJ and JR, both in their early 20's. Erik said that these guides were very rude and didn't even bother to get water on the water sources for them (Knowing that these hikers, don't know where it is). Erik continued that on the second day, CJ and RJ just took the payment for their first day which is 1,500 per person and left them. The guides and porters plays a big part on mountaineering, be sure to choose a reliable one. I strongly recommend our guides Tatay Emilio, Kuya Zaldy and Kuya Edmund they're so hospitable!
Btw, thank you Sir Erik for the menudo and lechon paksiw you lended us. :)
Day 4
So this is another day full of trekking at Mt. Timarid (8 of 9) and Mt. Simagaysay (9 of 9).
Mt. Timarids trail is of pine forests while Mt. Simagaysay resembles the trail of Mt. Balingkilat in Zambales. An open trail with no trees to cover you .
At 12 noon we reached the campsite and ate lunch. The rain was pouring again. So we resume our trek at 2pm and proceeded to Saulay Junction where we are going to spent our 3rd night. We met Mr. Erik there, the organizer of the group we bumped into earlier.
We had a small talk and ought to know that their guides left them on their 2nd day. According to Erik, the guides name are CJ and JR, both in their early 20's. Erik said that these guides were very rude and didn't even bother to get water on the water sources for them (Knowing that these hikers, don't know where it is). Erik continued that on the second day, CJ and RJ just took the payment for their first day which is 1,500 per person and left them. The guides and porters plays a big part on mountaineering, be sure to choose a reliable one. I strongly recommend our guides Tatay Emilio, Kuya Zaldy and Kuya Edmund they're so hospitable!
Btw, thank you Sir Erik for the menudo and lechon paksiw you lended us. :)
Day 4
So this is another day full of trekking at Mt. Timarid (8 of 9) and Mt. Simagaysay (9 of 9).
Mt. Timarids trail is of pine forests while Mt. Simagaysay resembles the trail of Mt. Balingkilat in Zambales. An open trail with no trees to cover you .
The Sicapoo girls with the guides/porters :)
At 4pm we finally reached the the flat grounds! How I miss walking on a flat ground.
Expenses
Bus Fare Manila To Solsona= Php 650/pax
Tricycle from Solsona Market-Police Station-Jump off= Php 200 for 7 pax
Rented Jeep Solsona to Laoag= Php 1,000
Bus Fare Laoag to Cubao= Php 700/pax
Guide Fee- Php 3,500 x 4 days= Php 14,000
Food= xxxx
Personal Expenses= xxx
“This mountain, the arched back of the earth risen before us, it made me feel humble, like a beggar, just lucky to be here at all, even briefly.” (Bridget Asher)
Expenses
Bus Fare Manila To Solsona= Php 650/pax
Tricycle from Solsona Market-Police Station-Jump off= Php 200 for 7 pax
Rented Jeep Solsona to Laoag= Php 1,000
Bus Fare Laoag to Cubao= Php 700/pax
Guide Fee- Php 3,500 x 4 days= Php 14,000
Food= xxxx
Personal Expenses= xxx
“This mountain, the arched back of the earth risen before us, it made me feel humble, like a beggar, just lucky to be here at all, even briefly.” (Bridget Asher)
Tags:
Hiking Adventures
6 comments
Ang mahal ng Guide Fee. :D
ReplyDeleteNatawaran pa namin yun. 1,500/day per guide/porter kasi tlga. Sulit naman and di kami pinabayaan. Haha. :)
DeleteParang may hugot ah! Haha Anyway, congrats! And thanks sa info. :)
Deleteiniwan kami ng guide namin sabi magkita na lng daw kami sa taas...sinabi nya yun after namin ng gasgas river...ngaun lang ako nakakita ng gantong klaseng guide...nag e camp kami kasi ginabi kmi...wala kaming tubig at may konting pagkain...nung nakausap nya kami kinaumaghan sabi nya wala naman daw ligaw...ganun din nangyari sa kaibigan ng kasama kong mountaineer...mag ingat kau sa gantong guide...hnd kami nakasummit dahil nagdecide ako na bumaba na lang kami...kuya jimmy ang name nya
ReplyDeleteHi Jonathan! The same thing happened to my friend. Pero hindi yung Kuya Jimmy guide nila. So sad to hear na hindi kayo nakapag summit pero buti safe kayo :) Malaking factor din talaga ang pagpili ng responsableng guide. Ingat palagi sa mga akyat Sir! :)
ReplyDeleteAno po contact guide sa sicapoo
ReplyDelete