Mountain climbing: on top of Mount Pico de Loro

I love to be outside. As a nature lover, being outside is like breathing an air when you’re out of breathe, eating when you’re hungry, drinking when you’re thirsty and resting when you’re tired. I jog, run and walk in the forest, lakes, beaches, running trails, on the cliffs, on the hills, and even strolling in the city by foot but not mountain climbing. Yes, I’ve been in mountains…been there, seen it, but not on top of it. My very first climb was in Mount Pico de Loro.

The author in front of the monolith.

The monolith

The climb

Mount Pico de Loro was first named by the Spanish sea-farers which means “Parrot’s Beak” as its pointed summit resembles the shape of a parrot’s beak from afar. The summit is within the scope of Cavite while the peak is in Nasugbu, Batangas. There are two jump offs or starting points in order to reach the summit. The first one is via Nasugbu, Batangas and the other one is via Ternate, Cavite. 

The welcome signboard in Nasugbu jump off.

Meet the hikers....

Taking a break in one of the shades.

As I am a native of Nasugbu, we began our climb after registration in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for a party of 10 at the jump off in Nasugbu. No environmental fee has been charged to us maybe because Carding, a friend of mine - a young, handsome, athletic policeman  - was with us as a guide together with his friend. He knows the area so well, climbed the mountain for countless of times already and he considered the area as his playing ground. 

 

Carding Barcelon with my niece Ericka (on the left) and Tintin Manalo (on the right).

Climbing the mountain of Pico de Loro takes only four to five hours - going up and down - from Nasugbu. Although the trail is steep, it is still quite easy for me as I am really used to walk a lot and run on my free time. Only the one towards the monolith and the climb to the monolith itself is the complicated one. I was running in between walks at the beginning but when we reached a series of continuous ascent, I started to slow down and catching a breath from time to time and saving my energy for a rough climb. We passed by the creek and stopped there for a while to cool down. On our half way to the summit, we stopped again and ate our sandwiches. The ascent become more and more difficult – oversized roots protruding from the ground and uprooted trees blocking the way - as we are approaching the summit. We reached the base of the summit in the middle of the day. The sun was shining on that day and there were no shades to go to but it was windy up there…so no problem. I guess, the only challenging part on this climb is the steep ascent to the summit, the descend towards the monolith and the climb to the monolith itself.

And the journey begins....

A more complicated one...can't climb up by yourself but with the help of others.

Needs balancing...not really a safe one.

Climbing up with a helping stick.

The trail is sometimes rocky; and sometimes nothing to hold on.

Going up again?

.....and more ascend, but still has time for selfie.

Break time, can't remember how many times we stopped.

.....and again!

.....and again and again.

Whew, can I still make it?

In front of the monolith...we're almost there.

 

Ascend to the other mountain going to Cavite, in front of monolith.

 

Gloves would be necessary for this climbing.

We made it...another selfie pic.

Ian, my nephew, posing.....

.....another nephew of mine, Kim.

A perfect weather...the sun was shining, the sky was clear, so hot in a bare mountain but windy.

This mountain is facing the monolith...a perfect place to take pictures when one of your friends is in the monolith.

Hikers coming from Cavite passed this mountain and then descend to the base summit and then to the monolith.

The other starting point, on the other hand, is in Ternate, Cavite. From there and like in Nasugbu jump off, you have to register in the DENR campsite and pay the environmental fee. Unlike in the jump off in Nasugbu, the trail from here is much longer and difficult. I understood that there are campsites on the way to the summit but I am not really sure about it because I've never been there. 

From Ternate, Cavite jump off, hikers has to climb this mountain to reach the base summit.

And then from the top of this mountain...a rough descend to the base summit.

The monolith…a risky challenge

What makes Mount Pico de Loro different from other mountains is that when you reached the summit, you are not going to end up only there and see the picturesque landscapes and take selfies with the best view. There is one more risky challenge to take…and that is…to climb the death-defying monolith. A monolith is a huge, 50-feet, single, tall rock formation standing proudly in front of you when you reached the base of the summit. The climb is too risky and to some so scary. You have to wait for your turn and climb or crawl to reach the top. Hopefully they have the rope hanging there to help you reach the summit. But once you’re on the top, you’ll see the amazing view of the sea and the mountains. The climb to the monolith is risky but worth a try. To have a better shot of monolith, you have to take it from the opposite mountain. Or better ask a friend to stay on the opposite mountain before climbing to the monolith.

The death-defying monolith. My niece, Kaye Anne, on top of it.

With my nephews and nieces.

 

Kaye Anne, my niece, enjoying the view.

Kaye Anne, on top of monolith.

That monolith wasn't that tall after all.

I made it.

Awesome pic of monolith.

Inah, my niece, made it there, too.

This area in front of monolith is almost bare.

The waters of Nasugbu at the back.

My niece, Kim...and my cousin's son, Roijohn + Carding.

It's scary up there.

Almost touching the sky.

Dangerously beautiful...hikers doesn't even have protective gear when climbing the monolith.

Not suitable for those who is suffering from acrophobia.

 

No protective gears....

My nephew Kirk's best shot.

Magnificent view.

Closure of Mount Pico de Loro

As of this writing, rumor on the closure of Mount Pico de Loro is still going on and it still remain a question mark for me. I have researched about it and I found out two different statements regarding this matter. As per Pinoy Mountaineer’s blogpost dated September 16, 2016, the closure of Mount Pico de Loro starts on October 1, 2016 for planning and rehabilitation. The closure is indefinite and applies to all trails, as announced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources PAMB of Mountains Palay-Palay / Mataas na Gulod National Park in Cavite. The closure, according to the DENR source, will give time to Protective Area Management Board to come up with new rules and regulations. (Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2016/09/mountain-news-pico-de-loro-closure-starts-october-1-2016.html).

The base of the monolith.

My husband stretching his back after a rough climb.

Another statement that I have read regarding this matter, is, as follows. Contrary to rumors that Mount Pico de Loro is about to close, it remains open, according to the DENR. Only monolith is closed. The ban on the climbing up the monolith has been enacted for several months now for safety reasons. They cut off the ropes that lead to the top and put some barbed wires fences around the monolith so that hikers will no longer go up. Overnight camping and cooking in the area are not allowed anymore. Climbing time is only from 4:00 am to 3:00 pm. (Source: http://loveeatwander.com/climb-guide-to-pico-de-loro/). 

Tired?

 

Awesome view....

To be sure whether the trails are open or not, it is advisable to call the Department of Environment and Natural Resources before you plan a day hike.

The beauty of the sea.

The future of Mount Pico de Loro

Aside from the rumor on its closure, there is still one problem facing Mt. Pico de Loro. As I have mentioned earlier, the summit is within the scope of Cavite while the peak is in Nasugbu. Both areas are having disputes in both trails and authorities – who must impose and collect registration fee from climbers. There is also a rumor that the area has been bought by Henri Sy, one of the richest tycoons in the Philippines and founder of SM Malls. Is he going to develop the area into a privately owned ecopark?

The future of Mt. Pico de Loro remains to be seen. It would be nice to know what would becomes of her and I would like to see the development, if there is, in the future. It is the most visited mountain as it is near Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. I agree that the mountain needs rest to reserve its natural beauty. The DENR, the local government and the residents surrounding the mountain have to coordinate guidelines in accommodating hikers in Mount Pico de Loro to protect the beauty of its nature. They should put waste bins along the trails and on the summit to maintain cleanliness in the area. They have to implement the “Leave no trace, No Camping and No Cooking” policies on the entire area to reserve its natural beauty. 

I hope Mt. Pico de Loro will still be the natural reserve that she is and not privately owned ecopark. So far, I have conquered the mountain and the stunning view under it – the sea and the mountain – is still and will forever stay on my mind.

A feeling of contentment after a rough climb.

 

How to get there:

• From Metro Manila – Go to coastal mall and ride a bus going to Ternate, Cavite. From Ternate bus terminal, ride a tricycle to go to the DENR Registration site.
• From Alabang and Laguna Area – Go to South Station, board a bus bound for Naic, Cavite. Get off at McDonalds Naic. Ride another bus to Ternate Cavite. Get off at the bus terminal and ride a tricycle to the DENR Registration site.
• By private transportation: Take the CAVITEX all the way to Naic, Cavite. Then take the road to Ternate, Cavite. After the Puerto Azul Resort, you’ll find DENR.

If you want to know more about Nasugbu, please click this link, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasugbu,_Batangas.