My high school friends invited me to an overnight hike last June 13, 2016.
From left to right (Tadz, Derick, Kidlat, and Jeff)
I really had no idea where and what mountain that we will climb and stay for a night before that day, I just agreed to them that I'm ready and good to go.
Jeff our badass driver
By the time we hit the road, they told me that we will heading to Mt. Cayabu and Mt. Maynoba in Barangay Cayabu Tanay, Rizal.
Two Thumbs Up!
Kidlat choosing his lunch meal
After around 2-3hrs. roadtrip from Dasmariñas, Cavite (Yeah, that's the place we are from), we reach Tanay, Rizal and decided to eat lunch on one of the Carenderia (local eatery) there.
What's For Dinner?
We also visit the Palengke (public market) to buy some meat and veggies for our dinner later.
Mr. Google Maps please guide us
We hit the road again to find Barangay Cayabu (We are all first timers here on this place).
Finally!!
We reach our destination roughly around 1hr. (literally rough because of the rough road that we encountered).
A quick briefing of the mountain by Sir Michael
We are greeted by our local guide Sir Michael (also from Cavite in Silang.. small world).
One last shop before the hike
View of Mt. Maynoba from the outpost with Tadz
Final preparations are set and we are ready to go!!
Let's Go!
To be honest, this was my second time to hike on a mountain. The first one was Mt. Batulao from Nasugbu, Batangas and because I'm not that physically fit or rather don't had enough exercise around 10-15mins of hike that time on Mt. Cayabu I.. well (see photo below).
Yet again I'm sitting on the Throne of Shame
(Photo Credits To Kidlat)
Yes, that's me wasted already while grasping for air. The funny thing is, we weren't reach yet the summit of Mt. Cayabu and on top of that after Mt. Cayabu comes next is Mt. Maynoba which is way more higher mountain.
View point of the river half way before the summit of Mt. Cayabu
ISO 400 55mm f/6.3 1/500s
Of course I made a comeback after a 10mins break and along the way I took a photo of this beautiful scenery.
Jeff's "stomach-in-chest-out" pose
It took us almost an hour from the outpost to reach the summit of Mt. Cayabu.
View point of the summit of Mt. Cayabu
ISO 800 18mm f/6.3 1/1000s
The gang rest a bit while enjoying the wonderful view
Mountain Ridges Part 1
ISO 800 18mm f/6.3 1/800s
We enjoy every single moment of the scenery but we have to keep on moving because the sun sets faster as we rest.
Almost there
ISO 400 45mm f/6.3 1/80s
Kidlat enjoying the view
Mountain Ridges Part 2
ISO 400 18mm f/6.3 1/500s
As we go close to the summit, dark clouds come to form to look like it will bring down heavy rain on to us.
Just a few more steps
Finally
(Photo Credits To Kidlat)
Touch Down!! Mt. Maynoba Summit
After 2hrs from the outpost we had reach our destination.
Jeff and Derick preparing to assemble their tent
Caio's Grave Marker
Chit Chat with Sir Michael while preparing our dinner
We were only the ones in the summit of
Mt. Maynoba, Our guide Sir Michael also mention the grave marker of Caio a golden retriever that passed away last May (I already read some parts of the article on Facebook about Caio last month but I didn't know that
Mt. Maynoba is the resting place) if you want to know more about Caio try to visit
here.
Dinner Time!
This one is exceptional
I'm just trying to take a "trial and error" shot of the moon then this (photo above) came out. I just realize that I had accidentally took a photo of a shooting star. Lucky me!
Starry Night Photo Attempt Shot
ISO 1600 23mm f/5.6 30s
I woke up around 4am because it was really cold and then I notice the night sky, no clouds, the moon was no where to be found, just full of stars so I assembled up my tripod (which was half broken) attach my camera and point it up to the night sky, take a shot and this (photo above) was the result. I'm pretty sure I took a partial part of the Milky Way but still I need more practice.
Sea Of Clouds Photo Attempt Shot
ISO 100 18mm f/5.6 1/100s
And so the sun rises and we witness the gift of mother nature.
Job Well Done
(Photo Credits To Sir Michael)
Well after a couple of minutes enjoying the wonderful sea of clouds, a group of hikers came also to witness what was left on it (because the clouds disperses swiftly). We decided also to pack our things and get moving on to the waterfalls of Mt. Maynoba.
Fresh cold water flowing down from Mt. Maynoba
(Photo Credits To Tadz)
"Nagtatagong Paraiso" Falls
First of the Eight Wonder Waterfalls of Mt. Maynoba
ISO 1600 18mm f/5.6 1/100s
"Gugulong Na Bato" Falls
Fourth of the Eight Wonder Waterfalls of Mt. Maynoba
ISO 200 18mm f/5.6 1/100s
Kidlat preparing our Miso Soup for our Brunch
The water was pretty cold and don't get too cocky swim on the middle
because it is around 7ft. deep
(Photo Credits To Tadz)
We didn't visit all the water falls because we were all hungry so we get going as soon as possible on the fourth water falls instead , have a brunch and swim over to the water falls also.
Going back on the outpost with some other hikers
Down to the plains
Jeff and Kidlat playing with the Monkey
We got ourselves back on the outpost after an hour from the water falls. We rest a bit, put all our trash on the respective trash can there (Keep in mind that please don't leave any form of trash on the mountain, be a responsible human), take a bath and give thanks to all the people that we met on the outpost especially to our guide Sir Michael. We bid farewell to the residents of the outpost on Barangay Cayabu with full of smile with our faces.
Of course, what else to do after that trip on the mountains?
"Dahil ang mga tunay na lalake, kumakaen ng tanghalian sa Julibe(Jollibee)."
Probably will post my Mt. Batulao experience here
And that's it all thank you.
