Rosalie Fajardo
LAIBAN TRILOGY: Adventure beyond Words!
Tanay, Rizal, Philippines – Mountain hiking offers plenty of perks. To name some, we get to see breathtaking sights, inhale some fresh air, and witness the beauty of nature right to its core. However, choosing a mountain to climb could be as rigorous as planning for the next OOTD for some people (and yes, even me!). There are so many mainstream styles we could try on a given day, but the chance of meeting someone wearing exactly the same outfit as yours is very likely. Ouch! This logic could also apply to choosing the next destination. With today’s technology, a comprehensive list of directions and suggestions for reaching a particular place is readily available online. Unfortunately, the ease of access to information is also one of the reasons why finding a sea of crowds is more likely than discovering a sea of clouds. Solution, anyone? Well, one way is to be more adventurous!
strong bicep shot by Drew Arales
A highly recommended destination is the “Laiban Trilogy” in Tanay, Rizal. The trail comprises Mt. Lubo, Mt. Ngusong-Kabayo, and Mt. Tangwa. Here, we practically get the best of both worlds. First, we will get to enjoy the view of a sea of clouds without the jam-packed crowds, which leads us to the second point: more time and more angles for selfies and groufies!
From our meetup location in Cubao, we traveled to Cogeo in Rizal, where a so-called monster jeep awaited us. Monster jeeps, unlike the ordinary jeeps that we ride on well-paved roads, are supposed to withstand the uninviting route to Barangay Laiban, which includes a series of gushing streams and muddy roads that we will pass along the way. Registration in the Brgy Hall of Laiban is required before starting any hike.
At around 6 am, the sun has already risen, but we can still see its glory while we are on the trail. As if the view wasn’t refreshing enough, the sunlight made the green mountains even more picturesque, and we paused for a while.
THE UNENDING TRAIL
The path to the peaks of Laiban has mostly minor inclines flanked by tall cogon grass. The temperature is a perfect combination of the gentle sunshine and early morning breeze.
It felt so good to be disconnected from the city’s noise for a moment and reconnect with nature.
The sight of the nearby mountains, such as Mt. Sapari, Binutasan, and Batolusong, is one of the bonuses of this hidden treasure. Your heart will surely be charmed and contented by the vast view of rolling hills and green mountains on the side.
A series of bamboo trees also makes up the trail. This part of the trail becomes wet and slippery after rain, so hikers should be cautious. Our group managed to pass through this area without any major problems, just a few minor slips, making us a little dirty with mud.
There’s a limestone cavern that surrounds the summit of Mt Ngusong Kabayo. One has to pass through narrow rock holes and formations to proceed. GPS (Gapang Para Safe) and UPS (Upo Para Safe) with some head support are useful in situations like this.
It was indeed an endless walk and a few water breaks; in spite of that, every part of the trail flaunts the aesthetic topography of Laiban.
THE LAIBAN PEAKS
After an hour of a moderately steep slope, we didn’t easily realize that we were already on the first peak. We just recognized it because of the Red flag and signage.
Mt. Lubo is not the typical peak that has a cliff or other ‘buwis buhay’ spots to take Instagram photos. Nonetheless, Mt. Lubo is the perfect spot to capture the sea of clouds of Laiban at that time.
The next peak on our list is Mt. Ngusong Kabayo, at 625 MASL. It is translated as “horse snout” and is named for the distinctive limestone formation on its summit. We were amazed by how the stones really resemble a horse’s snout.
Less than 30 minutes away is the final peak, M. Tangwa, at 602 MASL. I particularly enjoyed wandering around here because it has a 360-degree stunning view. Mountains really have the power to awe and inspire adventurers like no other landscape can.
CHASING WATERFALLS
From the summit of Mt. Tangwa, we passed by the beautiful scenery of neighboring mountains down to the beautiful waterfalls of Laiban, which can be either a side trip or a destination on its own. It is actually part of the traverse trail down to the jump off.
According to our guide, there are a few leeches (called limatik locally) in the area because it is surrounded by shallow bodies of water, and they may have proliferated during the rainy season. One of our members was bitten, although he didn’t see any leeches. Luckily, the bite did not hurt at all.
The first stop is the highest of the four waterfalls, Tagpuan Falls. As the name suggests, the scenery gives a delicate, dramatic vibe. It felt like I was in a scene of a movie, waiting for my lover to arrive while listening to the sound of the water flowing down. Surely, this is quite a covert beauty, a perfect escape from stress.
Not long after we passed the first falls, we had to rappel down to Mahangin Falls. It’s not like other waterfalls with a basin-like pool; Mahangin Falls has cascading, cold water flowing to other falls and to the river. It’s a good place for a very refreshing sit and a good water massage.
Need I say more? Just indulge yourself in the moment. What’s the point of finding a place as beautiful as this if we will not enjoy the waters, right?
The third one is the Panat-in Falls, somewhat similar to Kawasan or Kaparkan Falls. This has a deep catch basin, allowing adventurers to jump from the top of the falls. There is also a wide area of both shallow and deep spots, perfect for swimming.
Upon arrival, our lunch (sinigang, adobo, and rice) was already prepared by our organizers together with the locals. After eating our way through, we enjoyed a quick dip in the water, took some photos, and rested for a while before continuing our adventure.
What a hike! An exciting, enriching, and exhausting experience, all at the same time. The thrill of being in a new place, away from the city, to escape the stress and monotony of my daily routine, was satisfied. Frankly, I wasn’t expecting too much of the place at first. I was happy to just be with nature again. In the end, it really exceeded my expectations and turned out to be one of my favorite climbs.
How to get there and Suggested LAIBAN Itinerary (Average Pacing)
0200H Assembly at Cubao
0230H ETD Tanay via Patok jeep to Cogeo
0315H ETA Extraction point -COGEO TO Bgy. Sampaloc, Sitio Mayagay 1, Tanay (via monster jeep)
0330H ETD Bgy. Sampaloc, Sitio Mayagay 1, Tanay
0400H ETA Brgy. Laiban Hall (jump-off)
0500H Start Hike
0700H ETA Mt. Lubo
0745H ETA Mt. Ngusong Kabayo, photo ops
0850H ETA Tangwa Peak, photo ops
0950H Start descent
1110H ETA Laiban Waterfalls 1
1130H ETA Waterfalls 2
1220H ETA Waterfalls 3, Boodle Fight Lunchtime
1400H ETA Waterfalls 4
1430H ETA Jump off, tidy up
1530H ETD Sitio Mayagay 1
1615H ETA Extraction Point (jeep ride)
1630H ETD Manila
1930H ETA Manila
Hiking Notes
- If you are in a large group, better hire your own transport service for your convenience.
- Wear proper attire from head to toe. You may bring a hat/cap, arm sleeves, and sunblock for protection. For footwear, please note that the trail includes plenty of water activities, so it is better to wear a good pair of hiking sandals or shoes.
- Bring at least 1.5 liters of water, as you will surely need this during the long walk.
- Bring trail foods such as Jellies, chocolates, nuts, etc. These are essential sources of energy, providing the body with more fuel to continue the climb.
- Carry a first aid kit/personal medicine, as accidents can happen anytime.
- Bring extra clothes, toiletries, and extra money for other personal use.
- Never forget your camera behind!
- And most especially, take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time. Enjoy!
Follow and subscribe to OutofTownBlog.com on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more Travel-related updates.
Read:
