Mt. Mingan - 4th Exploration

"First will not be the Last". This is the adventure I will keep on repeating until my shoes would wear away or my knees would hurt. The first time I set foot on this mountain was way back summer of 2014 and now, this is my 4th exploration with my hiking buddies and this will not be the last.

On a January 16, 2015 Marlon, Rodge and I, equipped with determination for this exploration started our trek on a chilly Friday morning.

We settled at Station 5's campsite. this is the 1st time I didn't brought booze for the night. So no laughing trip happened.

And on the second day.

 

 

Eager to reach the monolith, we decided to do e-camp and in order for us to plan our Final assault.



Day 3.

We need to make our way into the dense giant pandan forrest.

and finally, after 3 days of grueling ascent and thorns prickling our skin. The beauty that awaits us on the monolith.

 

from left: Rogemar Bravo, Genesis and Marlon Ramos

 

Thanking everyone who participated from the 1st to the last. Kudos to everyone!

First Exploration:

with Annie Manaog and Frank Uy

Second Exploration:

with Mike,Annie, JLo,Lady Diane,Analene Grace, Erwin,Rogemar and Rosalyn.

Third Exploration:

with Liezel Villalon, Marlon and Rogemar.

Nothing is lost by trying..

Even when things do turn out badly,you will still end up with an interesting story to tell.

Mt. Mingan - So Pristine, So Diverse

I have this ambition way back years ago when i started mountaineering, that i hope someday I could explore mountains that are unknown to mountaineers and engrave the names that did the exploration. I realized this was an immature thinking, so excuse me i'm just half in love with myself and half in love with oblivion. There are no itineraries on Mt. Mingan, as this is so unfamiliar to the mountaineering society. So we have to cling even to the smallest detail we got from the internet.The Groups original headcount was 7, but it went down to 3 due to some unexpected problem from the others. It was nearly 1:00am when we bounded a Bus going to Cabanatuan, then from Cabanatuan Terminal(4:30am) we rode a van goin to Dingalan. The town was so quiet and peaceful and just at the backdrop of the plaza, is Mt. Mingan. We started our early breakfast at the carinderia stalls within the plaza, then right after we headed to the Town's Mayor for a courtesy call. Went for a small chit chat, then off to the Jump-Off in Brgy. Davildavilan. Where we've been warmly welcomed by Barangay Captain Ramos and his staff.

We're just having warm ups here,One of the steep trail of Mt. Mingan,

No Pressure, we are not racing against time here.

While taking a what we call the"unli take 5"(a term used to those who rest frequently on trail), Annie here spotted one of the resident avian. An expert on aviary said to me that this is a juvenile rufous hornbill. Just the flapping of its wings you will hear how heavy the lifted air is and How i wish this was a new specie that would be named after Annie.

I really dont know how long did we took the trek up to the campsite in Station 5, but we could'nt be happier reaching it.The Next day we resume on reaching the summit. And along this path we were marveled by the diverseness of this mountain.

(a small viewing deck at the campsite)

On Top of the Dwarf Forrest Canopy

our Pathfinder, Kuyan Carding

( i am only assuming that this is a millennia tree, just comparing the size with it's surrounding dwarves)

Mt. Mingan Pinetree

it can produce a sound,this snail chirps.

The Summit, still covered with trees..