I nearly backed out after the first summit. Lack of sleep for two straight nights, hunger, and the biting cold wind were getting the better of me. Thank heavens for the cows and the nagging voice inside my head: “you’re already here. Laban lang.“

3 mountains

The first mountain of this trilogy, Mt. Lantik, is the lowest at 552 meters above sea level (masl). As it was still dark when we started, the only thing I remember at the start of the hike is that we passed through a forested trail with a variety of fruit-bearing trees. The mild ascent was kind to my weary physical state, so the thought of quitting never entered my mind (yet). A few meters to the summit, two cows followed us all the way to the top, which was a bit concerning because they looked like they were coming right at us. The constant mooing was disconcerting, The sun was already up when we reached the summit, and the wind was unexpectedly strong and cold.

It was at this point when I thought of foregoing the next two mountains. I was extremely sleepy, and the sight of the small hut with wide bamboo benches were inviting. Should I just stay here and sleep? Then I felt the strong, cold wind and remembered the two cows behind us. Frivolous, I know, but my physical condition was affecting my mental state. The 10-15 minute rest and the four tiny peanut butter wheat pan de sal washed down with electrolyte drink helped a whole damn lot. So, off to the second mountain we went.

The trail the rest of the way was mostly grassland and a sprinkling of trees here and there. Mt. Talamitam is higher at 630 masl. By the time we reached the summit, I was feeling better. I felt a surge of nostalgia at the sight of Mt. Batulao in the horizon (it was actually visible from Mt. Lantik, but this time it was closer). In between the summit and Mt. Batulao, I can see the Talamitam campsite below. We were told that we could take that scenic route heading back, but that we had to pay Php60 per head as it is a private property. It looked so beautiful from the summit, and I was willing to pay the additional fee for the rest of the group. But when we were told that it would take us at least a couple of hours longer, nobody was willing to go through the extra mile. Remember, we still had another mountain to climb.

I didn’t expect that the mountains get higher in this trilogy. I knew from my research that the mountains here would not go over 700 masl, but I didn’t think it through when it comes to the escalation. So, that may be the reason that other hikers chose to just do a twin hike in this side of Nasugbu.

I had my second wind on the way to the third summit, Mt. Apayang (662 masl). I was no longer breathing hard, thanks to the gummy bears I’ve been munching on along the trail. Of course, hydration is also just as important. But my thighs…my calves…mercy me! I thank God for giving me strong joints at this age of 58! So you can imagine my euphoria when we reached the summit of Mt. Apayang!

I’m glad I came through for this trilogy, to be honest. Yes, it was really exhausting by the time we reached the second summit, and the views are almost the same — until you reach the summit of Mt. Apayang. The change of scenery just takes away a hiker’s weariness. But it’s always about the triumph, the whole experience, and the unexplainable high that hikers get throughout regardless of what mountain we are conquering.

2 nights of sleep deprivation

The day before I went for this trilogy hike, I was at St. Luke’s hospital for my executive checkup. I had to be on an 8-hour fasting state for the full abdomen ultrasound. Afterwards, I had to take a stress test, more ultrasounds (God gave the human body a whole gamut of body parts), ECG, 2D echo, etc. It was because of the 8-hour fasting that had me sleep deprived. My last meal was at 1AM, and I had to get up really early to get all the necessary documents processed for the tests. Needless to say, I had about three hours of sleep.

I didn’t expect that the mountains get higher in this trilogy. I knew from my research that the mountains here would not go over 700 masl, but I didn’t think it through when it comes to the escalation.

By the time I was finished at the hospital, it was already past 7PM. I had to double check if I have everything I need for the trilogy hike the following day. I wanted to take 40 winks afterwards, but I was afraid that I might not wake up in time for the meetup with the rest of the hikers. The lack of sleep might help me sleep in the van on the way, I thought, as I always have difficulty sleeping in moving vehicles.

But no. As always, I barely slept in the van.

1-day hike

Why did I go for this trilogy hike knowing how crazy my schedule was? I wasn’t able to go hiking for two straight months prior to this trilogy, and I was afraid that my sedentary condition might take its toll on my aging body. I keep a despite a (ir)regular exercise regimen, but 10 minutes of cardio once or twice a week barely does anything g. I was getting lazier and lazier. .

Perhaps by fate, I saw that the trilogy happened to be on the calendar of one of my favorite organizers, Carpe Diem Adventures. So, taking on three mountains in one go will more than make up for it, I thought.

Well, it did.

Technically, our entire hike was equivalent to four mountains because after tackling the three summits, we had to go down Mt. Apayang and back up to Mt. Talamitam where we exited to return to the jump off point. All in all, the entire hike took us about 7 hours (including rest stops and picture taking) for about 12 kilometers.

As I waited for my turn to take the shower, all I could think of was how God continues to bless me with strength — physically, mentally, spiritually. Along with it, as always, comes a prayer for God to take care of my loved ones who are suffering from various illnesses. This is my compromise.