DESTINATION: Mt. Kalisungan 760 MASL
JUMP-OFF POINT: Brgy. Lamot, Calauan, Laguna
SPECS: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2
CLIMB DATES: July 3-4, 2010
Up to the last minute, I couldn't decide whether to go or not. I had received the invitation to climb Mt. Kalisungan in Calauan, Laguna on June 28th. The climb was scheduled on July 3rd and 4th. However, as the dates were drawing near, many of my girlfriends withdrew from the commitment, leaving me as the only rose among the thorns in the group. In my worry to be labeled a loose woman, I decided to back out. I really wanted to climb, though, having read the article about Mt. Kalisungan posted at www.pinoymountaineer.com.
It promised 360 degrees of a panoramic view: to the north, is Talim island with its Mt. Tagapo (Susong Dalaga)-- shaped like a young woman’s breast; Jalajala peninsula jutting into Laguna Lake like a ship can also be seen, with Mt. Sembrano on its helm. Moving one's eyes to east, the highlands of Caliraya appear. Reaching the peak, one will be able to glimpse upon the seven lakes of San Pablo, flanked by Mt. Cristobal and Mt. Banahaw. Then, from a distance--there is Mt. Makiling, to the west, completing the circle.
I asked a fellow mountaineer what he thinks of my climbing with 7 other guys. He said that it'd only result in two things: that I be labeled "sluttish" or "cool" by people. I'd want to be labeled "cool," of course. Will I succeed? I prepared my things in a rush. It was barely two hours before our call time. I took a shower hurriedly and when it was time for me to get dressed, I stopped and called my fellow mountaineer up to say I won't be joining them. He challenged me about being fickle-minded, so I decided to go.
Being the first one to arrive at the meeting place (7-11 Buendia Taft), I felt weird having 10am as a call time for a climb. It seemed too late for me. I was used to having 5:30am as the time of meet-up.
We took a bus to the Duckie Junction of Calauan and rode a jeepney to Brgy Lamot. Kalisungan actually has three jump off points: Erais Farms, Brgy Lamot Dos, and the other one whose name I didn't catch. We chose Brgy. Lamot Dos as our point of entry. It was a tricky trail--it left me wondering if there ever was one from that area.
We encountered many backyard and farm trees on our way to nowhere. Midway there, we chanced upon some mountaineers--all wet and dismayed. They called themselves "Sosyal Klaymers" and I was glad to find them in FB. ^_^ They were lost, they said and they were planning to retreat and cancel their climb. We encouraged them to go with us but then, they already made up their minds. Lucky for them--they didn't have to go through the difficulties we had been through.
On our way up, we found banana trees, coconut trees, kalamansi trees, and many plots with various vegetables: pechay, green chilli pepper, tomatoes and gabi. There were also a few "kaingin" areas that really saddened me. It was in those areas that they set up the vegetable plots.
It was already getting dark and we were struggling to see a trail. We thought that because the place wasn't very popular, a few might have climbed it and the rain might have covered it up with tall grasses.
Sunset came and still no hope of finding the trail. We were faced with itchy grasses taller than us. We had to use a bolo to cut them or our bodies to get them to bow and lay on our path.
We were lost and without the sun to light us up. The headlamps were a frustration. It was softly drizzling, it was getting cold and we were getting into a more dangerous area. We decided to settle and nestle on the grassy part. We couldn't put up the tents, though as the sharp edges from the tall grasses might tear them up.
Another frustration was not being able to bring some booze for the socials. Awww~!
We had dinner and were about to doze off when we heard a noise not far from where we were...
The others were half-asleep and were too tired and were feeling helpless to get up and go to where the voices where coming from. Melle was feeling different. He was energized upon hearing the voices and so he got up to find them. He told me to stay and be vigilant. Wilson and Joycel went with him.
While they were gone, I went to do "number 1" in a secluded place. While in there, I heard Melle talking to some mountaineers. A few seconds later, he instructed Wilson to get his backpack for him. I was obliged to gather his things so that his backpack will be ready when Wilson picks it up. I cleaned up my stuff as well. A few minutes later, we're headed for the right trail.
At 10 o'clock, we were already at the peak, ahead from all the others. The path was slippery, so we ended up dirty and muddy, yet we managed to reach the top in speed. Wilson was tailing a few meters away and so, we were able to set up our tent on the best spot, after the other mountaineers had set up theirs.
We met another group named KI (Katilingban Ilonggo, read: Ilonggo Community). They spoke Melle's tongue, Hiligaynon, which I find really cute to listen to. I can understand it fully well, I'm just having a hard time speaking the language.
After talking to Buboy and Rico, at around midnight, I went to our tent to sleep. The next day will be an easy descent, I just hope it wouldn't rain...
I was able to have hot coffee, courtesy of the nice Ilonggo peeps, while watching the sunrise. I was able to see the picturesque seven lakes and the majestic mountains: Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal, Mt. Tagapo in Talim Island, and Mt. Makiling.
Going down was easy, yet the mud and slippery banana stalks scattered all over the place made it harder for us to make a faster descent. Again, ahead of the others, Melle and I arrived at the "paliguan" house 45 minutes early. We were already able to wash our muddy shoes and slippers, take a shower, and dress up before Gary, Wilson, Francis, Joycel, Nioksky, and Jaybee arrived.
After having brunch, the locals invited us for a lambanog session with rambutan and "daing" as our "pulutan." Being the only rose, I was hesitant to join them. Melle called me and told me to sit beside him. I felt at ease. A few shot after, it was time to go and I was still sober. I was wondering if my tolerance in alcohol had improved.
We were already aboard a bus to Cubao at noontime and everyone was like not ready to call it a day yet. Since we didn't have socials up there, many of us decided to have our socials done in the metro.
