DAGULDUL 2004

www.akamug.com

Anilao, Batangas

April 30- May 2, 2004

By: McMike_Angel@akamug.com

As the saying goes “It's Sweeter the second time around”. We say Mt. Daguldul is a honey!

Mt. Daguldul returned was triggered by an invitation from our new climbing buddies from Phil Steel Group. Sir JM coordinated with us and proposed a 3-day itinerary. The group wanted an early assault to the summit, we must be at brgy. Hugom before dawn because many mountaineers are expected to scale the mountain on the week end.

We met Phil Steel group in Mt. Makiling last March 2004, barely a month later, here we are again. Together. Excited!

Akamug should be in lipa at 2200. Phil Steel Group will depart from Manila @ 2000, just in time to rendezvous with us. A pre-arranged Jeep will take us to the jump off point. However, the traffic jam in manila caused significant amount of delay on our itinerary. Sir Earnie and I arrived in Lipa 2 hours behind the schedule. Thanks for the patience of Phil Steel Group and Akamug!!

Four climbers were introduced to us. Sir Kenneth, Sir Jyrrell, mam Ruby and Mam Val. We also brought 4 akamugs and 2 guests. A total of 20 hungry adventurers eager to taste the sweetness of Mt. Daguldul .

We arrived at Brgy. Hugom around 0330- May 1. Pitched camp at the beach front. Akamug can't sleep that night. A good talk and a coffee keep us awake untill sunrise! Wake-up call started at 0630. Sir Kenneth thought some points on how to start a climb. A briefing, an exercise, and a good prayer. A distinctive character of an organized mountaineer.

Marcelo, our guide, led the beach trek. Mang zardo wasn't available that day. As always, never ending jokes from Sir Alex keeps our senses afloat. Sir DjXpact was the designated lead man navigating with him is Mam Aileen. I wonder why Sir DjXpact was full of energy that day. Last time I checked he had a muscle cramp on this very same mountain?

Daguldul 2003 was “as wet as it gets”. This time it's a desert. The summer heat burned our skin all throughout the trek. We stopped by at Mang Zardo's house to take lunch. My eyes were on Sir Jeff, it was his first time to climb. A new mountaineer should be thought the good ethics and discipline of mountaineering. We made it clear that he understood all the informations and risks involved. Sir Jeff has the heart of an Akamug.

The Trek resumed at 1230. We reached Niyugan Campsite at around 1430. Akamug pitched Tent few meters from Phil Steel Group. The plan works, we landed safe and sound. Remember that we didn't have much sleep last night so an afternoon nap recharged our body. Zzzzzzzz…….Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz……

Wake up! The sun is about to rest, just in time to see Mt. Makiling, Mt. Cristobal , and Mt. Banahaw sleep. The three mountains are clearly visible on the rock formation called “Bilaran ng Limatik”, a mere 15 minutes from the Niyugan Campsite. We took pictures of them!

The Dark night is coming….akamug knows what to do this time of the day…..Aha! It's time to practice our cooking skills! A delicious “Tuna Con Potatoe y Repolyo” was prepared by Sir Alex and Sir Easmie. “Who wants Spaghetti?” Huh?! Phils Steel Belles cooked spaghetti... plus our own recipe is something that keeps the Adrenalin of Sir Romeo on high alert.

After dinner, we formed a circle and began to have social. Sir Kenneth has so many stories to tell, that night alone wasn't enough to share his adventures for the past several years of exploration. He has a wide range of experience about mountaineering here in the Philippines . It's good to know that there are plenty of people with great passion for mountaineering. When young girls and boys talk…Guess what's the topic?? …Love, marriage and relationship was the hot subject for the night. How Sweet!!! Everyone has their own opinion. Everybody has their own version. “Love is in the Air” that night!

Early the next morning, we invited Phil Steel group to have an early assault to “Bilaran ng Limatik”. Batangas steep terrain could be seen up close from this part of Mt. Daguldul .

The descent started at 0900. Again Sir DjXpact and Mam Aileen led the group all the way down to the beach. Sir Alex encountered a minor injury cause by a muscle cramp at his knee. A good pain reliever from Sir Kenneth helped him stand on his feet to continue the descent.

Hola! It's the beach! The group needs to cool down… let's plunge into the open sea! We spent an hour playing with the waves. However, the sand seemed to disappear on that part of the sea. Tons of sharp rocks could cause you minor injuries. It's everywhere!

We left brgy. Hugom @ 1600.

Akamug witnessed and experienced the sweetness of Mt. Daguldul . Maybe because of the people that we had shared time together. I never thought that this journey will change my life in a very interesting way. I wonder if we will be here again the third time..what would it be?

An akamug journey together with special friends is something that we will never fail to remember. This climb will be on our heart…closely. The experience of being able to feel the intensity of life gives us the courage to continue trekking towards the edges of the earth…..and beyond!

We will continue to feel life..Breath..and Hold on to the Edge!

Sa mga Akamug…Easmie, Alex, DjXpact, Meong and Jeff...at sa aming mga katoto na sina….Cynthia, JM, JP, Janeth, Leila, Aileen, Hazel, Rochiel, Gynasel, Mar, Val, Ruby, Kenneth at Jerryll

Salamat.. at tayong nagkasamang muli! Hangang sa susunod na pagkikita...