The "Sumandal" Foothill Complex

From a pick-up point in Nagcarlan, we will proceed to the Assembly area for Registration and brief Orientation.  Upon dropping-by, it will be our recommended stop for last minute check of our packs, food provision and hydration.

On to the Basecamp

We then start the hike at "Talaytayin" jumpoff.  And as soon as we heads up on its sandy-volcanic foot trails and stride into its lush greeneries, a welcoming nature treat endemic to the area awaits to everyone's delight.  Desirable Raspberries or as locals call it “Sampinit” are prevalent along it's eco-trails. Appealing and engaging, we can not ignore these little treasures in vibrant red color invitingly exposed within the rich surrounding foliage.  We can pick and try some as we wish and amuse ourselves of its sweet-soury freshness.  Best of all....its' FREE!!! 

lush greeneries and densed vegetation

truly inviting wild raspberries ("sampinit") along the trails

Morning hike is recommended though to experience these abundant fresh treats while heading uphill.

While passing along its prairies, inhabitants farming their respective pastures greet us with their timid smiles but friendly enough to warmly respond if we briefly converse with them pleasingly.    

Arriving at “Sayimsim pass” will showcase the magnificence of its surrounding indescribable to words. And just as reaching the elevated portion of the pass we can clearly see the sheer size of  “Sumandal Foothill” up front. Several meters to our right is the trailhead to the Strawberry Farm that needs no further introduction.  As we heads up and continue hiking passing the strawberry farm, just a stone throw away is a crater they call "Kakawa". With a diameter of around 2 hectares, "Kakawa crater" became a pasture land of local inhabitants. The crater evidently is a clear substantiation of a volcanic landform of Mt. Banahaw and Mt. San Cristobal both of whom are active volcanoes hundred of years ago.   As we continue hiking further heading to the Basecamp, to our immediate left are the green meadows of "Gudya" with equally astounding attraction to offer.  Standing on its ground already at around 647 masl on several viewpoints we can see the seven (7) lakes of San Pablo City and the entire municipalities of Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw and Majayjay.

"Sayimsim Pass"

"Sayimsim Pass"

Reaching “La Presa de Kakawa” Basecamp at 653 masl, we will be greeted by farmer residents and its accommodating owner nanay “Tonya”. Youngsters also call her mommy “Tonette”.  While waiting for everyone to arrive, we will take some short time to catch our breaths and pull through to regroup while we ready ourselves for the final leg of our ascend…the assault to Angel Peaks. 

inside the "Kakawa crater"

the stunning green meadows of "Gudya"

"La Presa de Kakawa" Basecamp with Angel Peak 1 at background

enjoying at the basecamp

At some point while waiting to regroup, the relaxing countryside feels of the area somehow is as tempting as if it is persuading us to just stay on, relax and enjoy the moment.  Well, the choice is ours to decide, though it should be a group decision and no one should be left behind.

"pick and eat" treats at the Strawberry farm 

The assault to Angel Peaks

Peak 1 @820 masl

Recommended for average hikers with good fitness level but not for the faint-hearted.  It is a one hour (1)  hike in moderate pacing to reach Peak 1 with 30-45 degrees slopes.

Upon getting into its peak you can see the seven (7) lakes of San Pablo city,  the entire municipalities of Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw and Majayjay and the wholeness of Laguna Lake, its adjacent neighbor provinces: Rizal’s Sierra Madre mountain range, some parts of the Metropolis Manila , Cavite and  Batangas mountain ranges.

Descending is a little faster though. For safety purposes all are reminded to take extra caution while going down the trails.

assault to Angel Peak 1 from where you can see the Basecamp on the upper right side of the picture

on top of Peak 1

Peak 2 @994 masl

For experienced hikers with above average fitness level and strictly not for the faint-hearted.  An estimated one hour and forty five minutes hike (1 hr 45 min) in moderate pacing with 30-65 degrees slopes is most likely needed to reach Peak 2.  Going down maybe a little faster but  for safety purposes, all are reminded to take extra caution on descend.

Group picture at Peak 2

the local guide team

Peak 3 @1,270 masl

For seasoned hikers in best fitness level and strictly not for the faint-hearted.  An estimated two hours and forty five minutes hike (2 hrs 45 min) in moderate pacing with 30-65 degrees slopes further is most likely required to reach Peak 3. Be aware of the poisonous "laygins" that might touch your skin along the trails.  A brief dash will surely shock-surprise you of its aggravating pain that lasts for days if not treated well. Descending may take shorter time than ascending though for safety purposes, all are being reminded to take extra caution while going down.

stunning flora on the trails

beautiful yet poisonous

wilderness trail to Peak 3

@ 1,270 masl Peak 3

Some Reminders for everyone

All are advised to backtrack at a particular time instructed by the mountain guides. Camping is not permitted in any of its Angel Peak.  Everyone should be conscious of time when setting to ascend Angel Peaks most particularly Peaks 2 and 3. Weather should also be considered prior to proceeding.  All overnighters are encouraged to camp at “La Presa de Kakawa Basecamp”.  

enjoy the moment "La Presa de Kakawa"

site map

All pictures compliments of AHON
Anakalang Hikers of Nature

2018 Delightfully Japanese Summer

And so after our November 2017 Japan break, we planned a delightful Japanese summer break to experience summer heat in Japan.

Upon arrival, immediately loaded our Suica cards with much amount to spend for the whole duration of our holiday.

Typhoon Jebi has already exited Japan. So the summer feeling is back.  As I checked on our prior arrangements, all is set for my 2018 Mt. Fuji summer climb. After some days of acclimatization, we took off and boarded our reserved bus ride to the Fujisan Yoshida Trail Trailhead.

The Elusive Fujisan

It was a fine sunny day as I saw the horizon from where I was inside the bus. So suddenly, after several minutes more our bus stopped at Kawaguchico and we were all asked to disembark. The road to Stn. 5 is closed due to Typhoon Jebi debris.  We inquired and waited some more time to clearly know what has been happening.  We were confident that later, we will be permitted to go on and set foot on the magnificent Mt. Fuji.  Several minutes more, group of hikers were slowly taking off, going somewhere other than all our wish….Fujisan.  Soon enough, we had to leave as well and went someplace to mend our heartbreaks. Not again Fujisan.  But pretty good reason to be back next climbing season.

The Ice cave of Narusawa and Wind cave of Fugaku

We decided to go to Fugaku Fuketsu Wind cave located at the Fujisan forest complex.  The luscious forest was formed by the ashes of Fujisan’s past eruptions thousand s of years ago. Inside the complex lies Fugaku Fuketsu Wind cave, a breathtaking cave that brings guests into a different world.  Fugaku Fuketsu wind cave is a lateral cave that has a constant temperature of 3 degrees Celsius all year round. On a clear sunny summer day…..inside a freezing cave, I had to put on my jacket I brought for my Fujisan climb.

30 minutes hike southeast of  Fugaku Wind cave is another cave, the Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice cave.  A lava cave with an air hole in a vertical circular shape created after Fujisan’s outpouring of lava thousands of years ago. With my jacket on again, we traversed the Icy cold cave swiftly to avoid chills.

Reincarnation of an old MTB

Back at the city, after getting our refund on our supposedly bus transfers back to Shinjuku, We were one whole day and one whole night early of our schedule. Our reservation on Hakun-so Fujisan mountain hut has already been cancelled too.  Nothing particular to do, I spent some time on my brother’s MTB that has been idle for years.  When it finally gotten its fairly decent look minus the dense dusts, oiled its joints and cranks, bought new inner tube and there I was hitting the roads of Kodaira for a spin.

Going around is enjoyable that I get to discover many interesting places. The Farmers’ market with vegetables produced by Kodaira neighborhood, the Old Sento which I found very interesting for a foreigner like me, the laundry shop that when discovered, I immediately tried and enjoy washing our clothes,  the nostalgic Izakaya with very accommodating owners, the Kodaira Cemetery, the Higashi-Murayama Water Purification Plant, Toritsu Sayama Park and Tama Lake. And of course the ever respectful Japanese folks which always bowed their heads whenever I bowed mine as I greeted them everytime. 

Let's go to Kyoto!

After our Tokyo holiday, we boarded the impressive Japanese Shinkansen and went to Kyoto. During our week-long Kyoto stay, we get to appreciate several Kyoto spots.   Kiyomizu-Gojo is edifying, Saga Arashiyama is equally filling not to forget Fushimi Inari Taisha with its Shinto Shrines and numerous striking red torii.

Last stop Osaka

Next to Kyoto, we then traveled to Osaka by train.  Central Osaka compared to Kyoto is diversified due to tourists’ influx. Our first time visit to Osaka was rather food filling if not substantially foodie overload!

BEAR WITH ME PLEASE................STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION