Climb #7: Mt. Balingkilat (Talisain Cove Traverse )

Acknowledgement: PHINOE mountaineers and the organizer Sir Rommel. Kudos! And to our Aeta guides, thank you so much!

One of the nearest getaway and haven for mountaineers can be found in Subic, Zambales. The mountain range and valleys in Zambales plus the shoe string budget trips are just perfect for the city dwellers to take a rest from their stereotype corporate lives and enjoy the nature and the majestic creation of God.

Panorama view from Balingkilat's summit

Mt. Balingkilat offers a challenging trail for those who want to test their stamina. The trail from the jump off point starts with an open to grassy field and ends with a rocky terrain as you reach the camp site. The long and tiring trek is however rewarded by nature with fresh breezy mountain air, awesome sceneries of its neighboring mountains such as Cinco Picos and of course the view of the Subic Bay. But for me, the most rewarding moment was unveiled to me the following day, when I got the chance to see the 360 degrees unobstructed view of Mt. Balingkilat's summit. The view was so perfect on its own ways that it makes me so proud that I live in a country that so much diversified and special. The urbanization may have taken the city and has altered it completely but  just like Pulag and the other mountains that I got the chance to experience, Mt. Balingkilat's summit somehow breathed into me a fresh new air that I get to take home with me.

The long walk starts here

   The following day, we were all ready to face the more challenging part of the climb. To complete our planned Anawangin traverse. Our guide gave us another option though, the less traveled but more feasible Talisain traverse. He computed that with our group's current speed, it may take us more than a day to complete the Anawangin traverse and with little water supply, most of us may not be able to withstand the challenge. The whole group agreed and it proved to be a very wise decision. Our guide informed us that this it has been a while since this trail was crossed. Since the trail was not established, we had to do frequent stops to make sure that the sweeper group could follow our path. We reached the Cove at around 6pm. Sadly, we didn't have enough time to enjoy the beach since most of us needs to go back home but some opted to stay in Anawangin. We took a boat ride from Talisain Cove, dropped off some of our companions at Anawangin and reached the shores of Pundaquit at around 11pm. Rode tricycle to San Antonio Municipal and then took a bus to Manila.

Special concerns:
  Bring plenty of trail water, for newbies like me a good 3-4 litters will do most specially if you still haven't master the art of water conservation. Bring a lot of sunblock. Arm sleeves, long trekking pants or leg warmer (sleeves) and bush hat will provide additional sun and cogon protection. For those with suspected allergies, don't forget to bring anti-histamine. Need to secure 3 permits (mayor's, police station and jump off point). You also need to provide food and sleeping place for your guides.

ITINERARY
Day 1:
    03:00 Meeting place. Victory Liner bus from Cubao to Olongapo
    04:00 ETD from Victory. First trip to Olongapo
    06:00 ETA Olongapo City. Buy breakfast and packed lunck.
    07:00 Take rented jeepney to Sitio Cawag. Optional side trip to market near police station for last minute shopping
    09:00 Arrival at Jump off point. Secure guide
    13:00 Arrival at Kawayanan. Lunch
    13:30 Resume trek
    15:00 Pitstop to regroup. Rest and admired view of Cinco Picos and Subic Bay
    16:00 Start steep and rocky climb to camp site
    18:00 Reached summit, camp, cook dinner and a little socials, lights out



Valley going to Talisain Cove



Day 2:

   05:00 Wake up Call, cook breakfast and packed lunch, break camp

   07:00 start summit assult

   07:30 Summit (Picture taking)

   08:00 Start traverse trek to Talisain

   14:00 Lunch at river (Forgot what the river is called)

   16:00 Resume trek

   18:00 Arrival at Talisain Cove, dinner and wash up

   21:00 Departure from Talisain to Pundaquit

   23:00 Pundaquit, tricycle to San Antonio Town proper

Day 3: back in Cubao Terminal