Mt. Pico de Loro, Ternate Cavite : Dangerous even for Adventurous

I would love to share this experience while everything was still fresh in my memory. It wasn't a long planned hike but I was just invited by a friend to join and since my co-workers have been there the possibility of going back will surely be doubtful; so this became my first hike this 2016. Mt. Pico de Loro 664 MASL, also known as "Mount Palay-Palay" is located in Ternate, Cavite. It was named by Spanish sea-farers which means "Parrot's Beak" as its pointed summit resembles the shape of a parrot's beak. 

Credits to my hiking buddies for the pictures

As my SOP, I read blogs few days before the hike and note down itinerary. Our call time was 05:00 am at Coastal Mall where the bus terminal to Ternate Cavite is located, however, my sister and I arrived late so we left the area at 06:27 am and reached Ternate at 07:38 am. The bus stopped exactly at the tricycle terminal, where we rode going to DENR Campsite registration area. FYI: Overnight stay at Camp 2 is no longer allowed as of February 2015.

DENR Campsite

After having some errands we started to trek at exactly 08:20 am. It wasn't easy though because as starter we passed by a creek with slippery rocks and muddy trail. Excited as some were newbie we kept walking for 30mins. until we decided to rest and eat boiled egg. When our energy got restored we started to continue.  

Hiking buddies: Jennylyn, Jhorie, Mayang, Thet, Mitchay, Dhez

Are you guys ready? Trek with us!

therefore... A boiled egg a day keeps the tiredness day away!

Some hikers were already going back, when we asked them how far should we walked they told us 45mins. more. We got energized and kept walking, we passed by a trail wherein we need to pull ourselves up using a rope. It seemed an obstacle race as we hopped to the scattered logs along the trail then 45 mins. became more than an hour. 

Can I have a picture first? say...CHILL!

Kapit lang ng di gumulong!

first obstacle completed

 We had the first glimpse of Pico de Loro as we reached the Watch Tower (forgive me for there's no picture) We saw hikers reaching the summit and we were like.... "Paano tayo makakarating dyan?" Eager as other hikers we continue trekking but unlike other mountains I've been to, Pico de Loro has only one resting camp where all hikers rest, eat and take pictures before going to the summit and we arrived there at 11:30am. 

over sized roots along the trail

We decided to rest, eat and take pictures before finally going to the summit. While resting, I carefully observed the trail going to the summit and listened to the people around me, I got hit by the realization that it was never easy reaching its summit so I asked the mini-store owner if we can leave our bags. She responded positively and told me that other hikers did the same thing. 

Bili na po kayo... pang pamasahe lang po pa-uwe...

It was 12:00nn when we started to trek to the summit and true enough it was no joke. Literally "buwis-buhay" because one wrong move and you'll directly roll down. (Big thanks to Ate store owner, you made our lives hassle free) It was steep with nothing to hold on but your prowess. Traffic jam was superb because of the narrow trail and hikers cannot easily go up so we have to wait for our turn. 

Great view at Camp 2 with my sisterette Dhez

After all the hardships with nothing to hold on except scattered small rocks and over sized roots, we finally reached the summit!!! special thanks to the hikers who gave us a hand when were almost there.  

Here we are at the summit of Mt. Pico de Loro!

Group shot at the summit

The view was worth all the gathered courage. We stayed there for 45mins. took a lot of pictures because it will surely be hard to go back. Although some of us would like to go to the Monolith, we didn't permit them because of the long line of hikers plus the difficulty of a 90 degree way up to a cliff.

Relaxing view from the summit

Monolith over there

Here comes the hardest part, going down from a steep rocky summit. Good thing, some locals assist us going down, we just need to pay a little amount for a safe way down. 

Bare trail going down from the summit

We stayed at Camp 2 for almost an hour before descending and logged out at DENR registration at exactly 04:00pm. 

MT. PICO DE LORO

I came up with the budget plan (as of 2016) and itinerary. Hope this can guide hikers who wish to visit Mt. Pico de Loro. It's indeed dangerous even for adventurous. 

BUDGET:

Bus (Coastal-Ternate) P81.00

Tricycle (Ternate-DENR Camp) P85.00 (255.00/3pax)

Environmental Fee P25.00

Guide P200.00 (1,000/5pax)

Assistance (back & forth of the summit) P50.00

Assistance (back & forth of the monolith) P50.00

Toilet P10.00

Food:

Banana (13.00)

Mais/Saging con Yelo (25.00)

Halo-halo (35.00)

Pancit Canton (25.00)

SAMPLE ITINERARY
0530:Assembly at Coastal Mall Terminal
0600:Depart from Coastal to Ternate
0730: Jump off point DENR
0800: Start Trek
1100: Arrive at Camp 2 (take pictures and rest)
1145: Arrive at the Summit (take pictures and rest)
0130:Start Descent
0330:Arrive at DENR Site (wash up)

Let's find some beautiful place to get LOST...

Feel free to leave comments, suggestions and reactions about this post.

~thetskie here~ 

Chef Laudico Guevarra's

During Christmas season the never ending parties are everywhere. It's so hard to find uncrowded place with great food. Good thing my colleagues from MMC-CAST knew a hidden buffet style restaurant although it wasn't hidden at all! I made a call before going there to ask how will I find the restaurant, good thing I'm from Ortigas and their place is located in my neighbor city San Juan.

As usual, I've checked blogs for heads up. I learned that it was an old house renovated and preserved for its classic style. A woman in a modern Filipiñana attire (wearing Filipiñana top and short skirt) will welcome the customers. 

We were asked to wait outside for our turn as they served appetizers. It wasn't boring at all because we talked continuously that we even try to figure out some customer's thoughts when they leave the restaurant.

Selfie!

Our turn came and we're very excited to eat. After being settled to our seat, we headed directly to the buffet table where varieties of dishes were waiting. 

Okay?! Ready Set Go!

Yummy Appetizers

I guess he's in trouble!

Sweet tooth? Better be ready

This place instantly brought me to the past with the design and food. 

Plates signed by some celebrities and known personalities

 

The busiest man of the season.

The overall experience at Chef Laudico was something worth remembering. Being with my co-workers and setting aside paper works to relax and enjoy. I haven't tried all their food so I still have the reason to go back! probably with a new set of friends.

Feel free to leave comments, suggestions and reactions about this post.

~thetskie here~