Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Part 2
Part 2:
After a restful sleep and a satisfying crap, I woke up at 4:30am. I thought of the day ahead and TL Alvin assured me that the trek won't be as long as Day 1. In fact, they were looking for ways to lenghten the trek. I didn't move just waiting to see if anyone from the group would start organizing breakfast. Just before 5am, I heard Marvelous Neil's voice calling out to everyone to start breakfast. And because they are the Marvelous Group, no one complained! They were in high spirits. I'm so proud of them. I should request the BMC (Basic Mountaineering Course)Training Committee to erase whatever demerits they have incurred.
I got out of my tent just when the cooking started. The members started to stir. I a found spot to relieve myself and let out a few satisfying farts. Melody, Vanesa, Tey and Felix got out of their tents and the day was getting brighter. We decided to check out the view deck.
As we were walking towards the viewdeck, I started to feel uneasy because it felt like we were slowly approaching the area where I crapped. Then I saw Vanesa's spot and across her spot was my spot right smack in the middle of the trail to the view deck. Although it was covered with plants and leaves the tissue paper and wet ones could still be seen glinting in the sunlight. Everyone avoided my spot and took pictures of the amazingly beautiful view. Mau joined us and we had a batch picture with Felix as the odd man out. lol.
We had a very good breakfast of mushroom and cheese omelet, my famous tapa, coffee and lots of laughter and teasing. The trainees went to see the view. I warned them though about my spot and I blamed it on Vanesa! The logic goes like this: "since she took the right side of the trail near the tree, I had to find a spot and I saw one across from her spot. Since it was dark, I didn't know it was part of the trail to the view deck." That sounded like a good spiel. Goldilocks, bless her soul, covered it up some more with plants and leaves and wet ones to mask the odor.
So while we were breaking camp, the other groups proceeded to the view deck. As every group passed by, I started my spiel about my crap to warn them. As they came back from the viewdeck, the members had various comments on my crap. The trainees of course kept their comments to themselves. The Marvelous group though commented that our batch were not taught to dig a hole. :-(
After breaking camp, we took a group picture at the view deck. TL Alvin informed us that the book donation was to take place past the summit ot Mt. Ooteen since the school was within the area not a Tacadang as previously planned.We started our trek at 8:45am, about 45 minutes late.
We trekked down to the bridge to replenish our trail water and arrived at the Kayang Kaag walls where Dado set up a rope for support. We were delayed by an hour. As we approached the wall, we could see sitio Tacadang far up in the distance. We coould see our team climb towards Tacadang and others waving at us. We could also see men bringing down what looked like parts of a coffin. Dado was at the walls with the rope. The walls are over rated. It does look dangerous but as you actually trekked on it, its a piece of cake. We climbed up towards Tacadang and the locals brewed coffee and a peanut brew for us. The whole team was there and we were all behind by an hour. As usual, TL Alvin seemed to be unperturbed about how late the whole team was.
After 30 minutes of coffee drinking and picture taking because of the beautiful stunning views, we trekked towards the river for our lunch area. When we got to the area the whole team was there still delayed by an hour. We ate lunch and that vegetarian pasta and carbonara was simply delicious.
The trek to Mt. Ooteen (it is pronounced that way it is written)started at the river. It was another combination of Tey's Revenge at Ugu and Akiki at Pulag. Very steep 60 to 70 degree trails. There is something about X and Mt. Ooteen. Mt. Ooteen seemed to beckon to X. Lol.
Vanesa was my trekking partner up to the summit of Mt. Ooteen. As we trekked, we noticed that Calven the guide was behind us. Vanesa asked Calven why the pine trees were burned. Calven explained that the locals would burn the mountainside during the summer months so that when the rainy season arrived, the grass would grow thick and their cattle used it for grazing. As we trekked up the ridge, Vanesa commented that we've been lucky so far. Good weather and good views and good company. But she spoke too soon. Suddenly, a cold drenching rain fell. The raindrops felt like needles hitting my dainty skin. We reached the log area where we left the books under a plastic tarp. Neil was there waiting for us. We tld him to go ahead. By that time, we were within the IT. Dado pointed out the Ooteen plant. The mountain was named after the Ooteen plant. We call it the 'pitcher' plant. But Ooteen sounds better. Lol.
We encountered heavy traffic on the very steep downhill trek to the Bulalakaw trail river. Barbs was laboriously making her way down the steep stairs with Gerry and Mau assisting her. Malvin's group was behind her and I was behind Malvin's group. We waited for at least 20 minutes before we started down to the river. We got to the river about 2:30 and we replenished our trail water and took some camp water. Neil washed the cook set and finished off my left over lunch. I told Mau to go ahead with Barbs since the campsite is just 30 minutes to an hour away. Vanesa and I were at the campsite at 4pm.
I gotta hand it to the Marvelous Group. We had a very nice isolated campsite.We set up our tents and kitchen area and settled down to brew coffee and cook dinner. Lechon Kawali, vegetable curry, brownies, lemon squares was in the menu. The lemon squares and the brownies never made their appearance. And its all Goldilock's fault! I think she forgot the lemon squares and the brownies at the Victory Liner terminal. Jason though running a fever. He took a nap and some bioflu. The lechon kawali was great and so was veggie curry. But we didn't have a dessert. We drank the remaining vodka. I started the 1st of a series of craps. My stomach felt funny.
TL Alvin came around to inform us that we gotta trek down by 6. And that's when we discovered that our Marvelous group made an error. We lacked 1/2 kilo of rice. When Wency passed by for her group major, we asked her for a rice donation. We also asked TL Alvin. They charitably complied with our request.
The boys went off to join the other mini parties going on at the campsite. The girls meanwhile settled down in their tents.I went to sleep early and so did Melody and Mau. Until at about 10pm, Jason woke up from his slumber all charged up and joined the girls for their girl talk. The conversation shifted to their love lives. They were laughing and they were noisy. But their love lives were pathetic. If you anyone thinks that Eira, Goldilocks and Ane has a love life, they don't. Their past loe life was boring. It can't even qualify for a Quiapo tagalog novel award. Ane better start her love life soon because she ain't no spring chick anymore. Lol. Lol. (I'm in tears!) I decided to put an end to their misery and "tama na yan. boring ang love lives ninyo. matulog na kayo!"
I'm really proud of my Marvelous group. They were awake by 3:30am cooking breakfast and all we members had to do was get out of our tents and breakfast is served. Parang breakfast in bed but in the mountains lang.
But as usual, breaking camp was a chore. We got out of there at 6:30am and traffic again was encountered in the very steep trek down. The trek down isn't hard but it was hot. So we took very advantage of the rivers and bathe in them. We were like little children. Before the end point going towards the bridge, there is a steep cogon type area going down. I fell 3 times because it was like the Lantuyan trail in Halcon. I cut my dainty little fingers in the cogon grass. Bummer.
Vanesa and I got to the end point at 12:30. Mau, Gerry and Barbs was there so was TL Alvin, ATL Marris, Borge, 'Posh" queen Janet, Gerry, Jun Delmo, Roy etc. I took a very nice bath at the house there. I decided to teach "posh queen" a lesson in posh. I showed her that I'm using my Gianfranco Ferre posh shirt. Amen.Lol.
God I love this climb!
After a restful sleep and a satisfying crap, I woke up at 4:30am. I thought of the day ahead and TL Alvin assured me that the trek won't be as long as Day 1. In fact, they were looking for ways to lenghten the trek. I didn't move just waiting to see if anyone from the group would start organizing breakfast. Just before 5am, I heard Marvelous Neil's voice calling out to everyone to start breakfast. And because they are the Marvelous Group, no one complained! They were in high spirits. I'm so proud of them. I should request the BMC (Basic Mountaineering Course)Training Committee to erase whatever demerits they have incurred.
I got out of my tent just when the cooking started. The members started to stir. I a found spot to relieve myself and let out a few satisfying farts. Melody, Vanesa, Tey and Felix got out of their tents and the day was getting brighter. We decided to check out the view deck.
As we were walking towards the viewdeck, I started to feel uneasy because it felt like we were slowly approaching the area where I crapped. Then I saw Vanesa's spot and across her spot was my spot right smack in the middle of the trail to the view deck. Although it was covered with plants and leaves the tissue paper and wet ones could still be seen glinting in the sunlight. Everyone avoided my spot and took pictures of the amazingly beautiful view. Mau joined us and we had a batch picture with Felix as the odd man out. lol.
We had a very good breakfast of mushroom and cheese omelet, my famous tapa, coffee and lots of laughter and teasing. The trainees went to see the view. I warned them though about my spot and I blamed it on Vanesa! The logic goes like this: "since she took the right side of the trail near the tree, I had to find a spot and I saw one across from her spot. Since it was dark, I didn't know it was part of the trail to the view deck." That sounded like a good spiel. Goldilocks, bless her soul, covered it up some more with plants and leaves and wet ones to mask the odor.
So while we were breaking camp, the other groups proceeded to the view deck. As every group passed by, I started my spiel about my crap to warn them. As they came back from the viewdeck, the members had various comments on my crap. The trainees of course kept their comments to themselves. The Marvelous group though commented that our batch were not taught to dig a hole. :-(
After breaking camp, we took a group picture at the view deck. TL Alvin informed us that the book donation was to take place past the summit ot Mt. Ooteen since the school was within the area not a Tacadang as previously planned.We started our trek at 8:45am, about 45 minutes late.
We trekked down to the bridge to replenish our trail water and arrived at the Kayang Kaag walls where Dado set up a rope for support. We were delayed by an hour. As we approached the wall, we could see sitio Tacadang far up in the distance. We coould see our team climb towards Tacadang and others waving at us. We could also see men bringing down what looked like parts of a coffin. Dado was at the walls with the rope. The walls are over rated. It does look dangerous but as you actually trekked on it, its a piece of cake. We climbed up towards Tacadang and the locals brewed coffee and a peanut brew for us. The whole team was there and we were all behind by an hour. As usual, TL Alvin seemed to be unperturbed about how late the whole team was.
After 30 minutes of coffee drinking and picture taking because of the beautiful stunning views, we trekked towards the river for our lunch area. When we got to the area the whole team was there still delayed by an hour. We ate lunch and that vegetarian pasta and carbonara was simply delicious.
The trek to Mt. Ooteen (it is pronounced that way it is written)started at the river. It was another combination of Tey's Revenge at Ugu and Akiki at Pulag. Very steep 60 to 70 degree trails. There is something about X and Mt. Ooteen. Mt. Ooteen seemed to beckon to X. Lol.
Vanesa was my trekking partner up to the summit of Mt. Ooteen. As we trekked, we noticed that Calven the guide was behind us. Vanesa asked Calven why the pine trees were burned. Calven explained that the locals would burn the mountainside during the summer months so that when the rainy season arrived, the grass would grow thick and their cattle used it for grazing. As we trekked up the ridge, Vanesa commented that we've been lucky so far. Good weather and good views and good company. But she spoke too soon. Suddenly, a cold drenching rain fell. The raindrops felt like needles hitting my dainty skin. We reached the log area where we left the books under a plastic tarp. Neil was there waiting for us. We tld him to go ahead. By that time, we were within the IT. Dado pointed out the Ooteen plant. The mountain was named after the Ooteen plant. We call it the 'pitcher' plant. But Ooteen sounds better. Lol.
We encountered heavy traffic on the very steep downhill trek to the Bulalakaw trail river. Barbs was laboriously making her way down the steep stairs with Gerry and Mau assisting her. Malvin's group was behind her and I was behind Malvin's group. We waited for at least 20 minutes before we started down to the river. We got to the river about 2:30 and we replenished our trail water and took some camp water. Neil washed the cook set and finished off my left over lunch. I told Mau to go ahead with Barbs since the campsite is just 30 minutes to an hour away. Vanesa and I were at the campsite at 4pm.
I gotta hand it to the Marvelous Group. We had a very nice isolated campsite.We set up our tents and kitchen area and settled down to brew coffee and cook dinner. Lechon Kawali, vegetable curry, brownies, lemon squares was in the menu. The lemon squares and the brownies never made their appearance. And its all Goldilock's fault! I think she forgot the lemon squares and the brownies at the Victory Liner terminal. Jason though running a fever. He took a nap and some bioflu. The lechon kawali was great and so was veggie curry. But we didn't have a dessert. We drank the remaining vodka. I started the 1st of a series of craps. My stomach felt funny.
TL Alvin came around to inform us that we gotta trek down by 6. And that's when we discovered that our Marvelous group made an error. We lacked 1/2 kilo of rice. When Wency passed by for her group major, we asked her for a rice donation. We also asked TL Alvin. They charitably complied with our request.
The boys went off to join the other mini parties going on at the campsite. The girls meanwhile settled down in their tents.I went to sleep early and so did Melody and Mau. Until at about 10pm, Jason woke up from his slumber all charged up and joined the girls for their girl talk. The conversation shifted to their love lives. They were laughing and they were noisy. But their love lives were pathetic. If you anyone thinks that Eira, Goldilocks and Ane has a love life, they don't. Their past loe life was boring. It can't even qualify for a Quiapo tagalog novel award. Ane better start her love life soon because she ain't no spring chick anymore. Lol. Lol. (I'm in tears!) I decided to put an end to their misery and "tama na yan. boring ang love lives ninyo. matulog na kayo!"
I'm really proud of my Marvelous group. They were awake by 3:30am cooking breakfast and all we members had to do was get out of our tents and breakfast is served. Parang breakfast in bed but in the mountains lang.
But as usual, breaking camp was a chore. We got out of there at 6:30am and traffic again was encountered in the very steep trek down. The trek down isn't hard but it was hot. So we took very advantage of the rivers and bathe in them. We were like little children. Before the end point going towards the bridge, there is a steep cogon type area going down. I fell 3 times because it was like the Lantuyan trail in Halcon. I cut my dainty little fingers in the cogon grass. Bummer.
Vanesa and I got to the end point at 12:30. Mau, Gerry and Barbs was there so was TL Alvin, ATL Marris, Borge, 'Posh" queen Janet, Gerry, Jun Delmo, Roy etc. I took a very nice bath at the house there. I decided to teach "posh queen" a lesson in posh. I showed her that I'm using my Gianfranco Ferre posh shirt. Amen.Lol.
God I love this climb!
