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MT. HALCON
Baco, Oriental Mindoro Major jumpoff: Brgy. Lantuyan, Baco, Oriental Mindoro Alternate jumpoff: Brgy. Bayanan, Baco, Oriental Mindoro LLA: 13° 15.749N 120° 59.703E, 2582 MASL Days required / Hours to summit: 3.5-4 days / 15-18 hours Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 9/9, Trail class 2-4 Features: River crossings, mossy forests, rocky ridges Availability: Open from February 1 to May 31 of every year BACKGROUND Rising to 2582 MASL in Mindoro island just south of Luzon, Mt. Halcon is one of the majestic mountains – and best hiking destinations – in the Philippines, featuring long, often steep trails through dense jungle, crystal-clear waters from its rivers, as well as a magnificent ultramafic summit. Halcon’s biological profile is equally prestigious, being home to a lot of endemic flora and fauna. Mt. Halcon is also one of the most storied hiking destinations in the country, being traditionally regarded as the toughest hike in the country and an “initiation” for serious mountaineers. Indeed, many “old school” hikers will have tales to tell about the mountain. At the height of Typhoon Katring in November 1994, hypothermia claimed the life of 25-year old Neptali Lazaro, and ten years later, 21-year old Prana Escalante was reported as missing while on a solo hike attempting to follow her teammates and her body was found a week later. Halcon is a long and challenging hike most of the time, but these accidents speak of the fact that it can turn treacherous in bad weather. ITINERARY DAY 0 (APRIL 17) 0600 Assembly at Buendia corner Taft 0630 ETD Manila to Batangas City 0930 ETA Batangas Pier, take ferry to Calapan 1015 ETA Calapan Pier, Hire tricycle to Calapan Market Place 1030 ETA Calapan Market Place, Ride jeepney bound for Baco 1130 ETA Baco Municipal Hall, Arrange for permit 1200 Lunch in Baco / Buy final supplies 1400 ETD Baco Municipal Hall to jumpoff 1500 ETA jumpoff. Register / Arrange for guides 1600 Free Time, Setup Camp, Make Final Preparation DAY 1 (APRIL 18) 0600 Breakfast / Prepare for the hike 0700 Start Trek 1200 Lunch along the jumpoff 1300 Resume Trek 1700 ETA Aplaya campsite 1830 Dinner / Prepare for packed lunch the next day 2000 Light’s Out DAY 2 (APRIL 19) 0300 Wake-up call / Light snacks 0400 Start summit assault 0700 Breakfast / 15-minute break at Camp 1 or 2 1000 Arrival at ridgeline 1100 ETA summit (allow up to 1300H) / Lunch 1200 Start descent 1500 Dulungan River break / swimming! 1800 Back at Aplaya campsite 1900 Dinner / socials DAY 3 (APRIL 20) 0600 Breakfast / Break camp 0800 Start descent 1200 Lunch along the trail 1600 Back at the jumpoff. End of trek! 1700 Take tricycle back to Baco then jeep back to Calapan 1900 ETA Calapan. Dinner 2100 Take ferry back to Batangas 2300 ETA Batangas. Take bus back to Manila 0130 (+1 day) ETA Manila DAY 4 (APRIL 21) CONTINGENCY! |
FEES:
Inclusions: Exclusions: Personal Porter Note: Porter Fee (max of 15kgs) = P1,500 for 3 days Guide Fee (ratio of 1:7) = P1,800 for 3 days MEAL PLAN
Day1 Day2 Day3 PRACTICALITIES: MT. HALCON
TransportationPublic (1) Bus, Cubao or LRT-Buendia to Batangas Pier [P170; 2.5-3 hours] (2) Ferry, Batangas Pier to Calapan, Oriental Mindoro [P180-300; 2-2.5 hours] (3) Rented jeepney, Calapan to Baco Municipality and back [P2500-3000 for the roundtrip, 40 minutes to Baco and 30 minutes to the trailhead] Approximately 6-7 hours travel time because of various stops and delays. More transportation details to follow. If you have information please let us know! Registration (1) Logbook at the Tourism Office in Baco. Note: Requirements include medical certificate and certificate evidence of climbing experience (this needs further clarification) (2) Logbook at the Police Station in Baco (3) Logbooks and possible minor fees at the jumpoff /villages P375 regsitration/permit fee (at the tourism office) + possible minor fees at the trailheads. Guides Available; required; Ratio of 1:7; P500/day Porters: same rate as guides, maximum 15 kg Campsites and waypoints (1) emergency campsites (2) Aplaya campsite (3) Camp 1 (4) Camp 2 (5) Summit camp Water sourcesAvailable in Aplaya camp, Camp 1 and Camp 2 and some parts of the trail Cellphone signalSporadic in Aplaya camp Available at the summit and in some parts of the trail River crossings: Sections of the Lantuyan River can swell with heavy rains. Proceed with caution Roped segmentsNone but there are parts where ropes might help beginners. Hiking notes Warning: Limatik will be abundant SidetripsPuerto Galera (one jeepney ride from Calapan) Other Mindoro mountains i.e. Mt. Malasimbo Dayhikable: No! Facilities at jumpoffs(+) Sari-sari stores (+) Wash-up places Estimated budget: 1500-2200 pesos per person for a group of 7 (4 days) |
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