Sunday, October 26, 2014

AHoN tayo sa Mt. Batulao


THE ITINERARY

AHON will do a closed loop hike on Mt. Batulao starting at the new trail where we can see right away the path leading to its summit. After hopefully getting into the summit, we plan to take the old trail on our descent until reaching the old and new trail intersection. After roll call we can re-group then proceed at once to our chartered vehicle and prepare for wash-up. 

After wash-ups, we will have our early dinner at an interesting inexpensive restaurant with an ordinary menu but with not-so-ordinary concoction and yet can be easily appreciated by most of us. They are using mushrooms as special mixture on most of their food choices. Kanya kanya po tayo ng bayad sa kakainin natin. 

Finally after our sumptuous dinner, there’s no other way to enjoy Tagaytay but to sit back and relax for a coffee-stop over @ STARBUCK’S viewing the exquisiteness of Taal Volcano on Tagaytay’s ridge while we talk about our happy experiences of AHON tayo sa Mt. Batulao climb. Kanya kanya din po tayo ng bayad sa oorderin na coffee.

It is going to be a 6-hour two-booter hike; Lunch on trail (please bring your own packed lunch); to start at exactly 700 hrs of November 9, 2014 (Sunday) at the Evercrest jump off.

We need at least 21 pax/persons to push thru with our hike. Our chartered vehicle is a 21-seater jeepney. P200/pax as our transportation expense. 

Participants are requested to pay the P200 transpo fee for confirmation on or before October 31, 2014. 






Preclimb Details
OBJECTIVE:  Making sure everyone is in-tuned with the nature of the climb; Confirm participants’ attendance and get their contact details; Transpo reservation & assignment details

1.       The Climb is a treat to participants in celebration of AHON’s 2nd Anniversary.
2.       To experience hiking outside Nagcarlan along with other hikers of different orientation.
3.       To observe and be aware of a typical set-up being practiced in other areas.
4.      To become conscious of possible opportunities a community may have by establishing ideal program or standards for visiting guests in promoting tourism.

·      ASSEMBLY & DEPARTURE TIME

Assembly time is 4am in front of Municipal Bldg.
ANG IBIG PONG SABIHIN, AALIS TAYO SA MGA TAHANAN NATIN NANG MAAGA PARA DUMATING SA TAGPUAN BAGO PA MAG 4AM.

GANON DIN PO ANG NAIS NAMING IPARATING SA MGA DRIVERS NG ATING MGA GAGAMITING SASAKYAN: UMALIS NANG MAAGA PARA DUMATING SA TAGPUAN  BAGO PA MAG 4AM

Departure time is 4:15am SHARP

ANG DARATING PO NANG HULI SA 4:15AM AY IIWANAN NA.

·      Climb Preparation

Things to bring (as mentioned in “What’s inside your backpack” post)
Packed Breakfast*Packed lunch* trail food* hydration
·      
        Trail Etiquette

Use common sense & courtesy on trails: (1) stay on trails (2) no overtaking (3) courtesy and safety on trails
carry-out what you carry-in”

Get ready Exposing ourselves to the elements. Keeping the body warm .

Do not leave the group (without TL’s permission and accommodation of the Crisis Team)

   Strategy of the climb:

1.     Not to let anyone lag behind. But we will establish a standard: “TAKE FIVE” for every Hour ONLY. (1) New/Old Trail Intersection (2) Campsite (3) Summit.  Via Radio Communication, Mid Team Leader will announce breaks.
2.     Participants should not become a burden to others. If you are having difficulty negotiating the trails…..PULL OUT with permission of the Team Leader and accommodation and clearance of the Crisis Team.  (There is a Crisis team which we ask to back trail ONLY on the third hour of our hike if there are problematic participants.)
3.     1100 hrs is our cut-off time. If we have not reached the summit by 1100 hrs, we have to go back.
4.     There will be participants cluster assignments.  Participants are requested to stick with their respective clusters.
5.     Our means of communication is UHF Radio @ 14815 freq. Instructions are to be given using our communication facility.
6.    All of us will sign a waiver to ensure that joining the climb is our own personal desire and freewill and that in any circumstance no one is liable to our own self but our own self alone. 

·        Climb Organization 

Lead Team

Mid Team

Crisis Team

Sweep team

Lead Team Leader (to instruct the communication man) and SweepTeam Leader (through Overall Sweeper via communication man) are the only person to give order to stop or proceed.

MID Team Leader may request Lead team Leader or Sweep Team leader for “Take Five” Breaks.

Communication (Crisis Team) - To update team’s whereabout progression (1) Campsite (2) Intersection (3) evercrest jumpoff


Sa mga Participants na hindi kasama sa chartered transportation mula sa Nagcarlan:

INAASAHAN PO NA NASA EVERCREST NA KAYO 6:30AM.

CLIMB WILL START AT EXACTLY 7:00AM

An Attendance Sheet and Waiver will be signed prior to our climb.

AS A TRADITION, THERE WILL BE A SHORT PRAYER & BRIEFING BEFORE THE CLIMB.  


WHAT REALLY HAPPENED


Catching up from an 1 hour itinerary deficit, AHON managed to get to the summit right on cut-off time. A discreet rainbow guided us on our late dispatch  and "good morning" greetings from fellow hikers somehow helped us persist til we get to the top. AHON was as amazing as Mt. Batulao!  AHON teamwork is the key.














Photo credit:
Josh, June, Bryan, Chito, Baldwin & Maricar