Clik here to view.
My Top 10 Hikes of 2012
As has been my custom for the past few years, at the start of each year I would reflect on the hikes I have done in the past year, and select what I consider the most memorable ones. Of course, each...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #319: First climb of the year (again), Mt. Kalisungan
LOS BANOS, LAGUNA - History repeats itself. Two years after climbing up Mt. Kalisungan with my hiking pals Coby Sarreal and Iron Lady Jo Steven (Hiking matters #118), I found myself hiking the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mt. Ugo (2,150+) Traverse to Mt. Pulag (2,922+)
UGO-PULAG TRAVERSEBenguet and Nueva Vizcaya Entry point: Brgy. Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet Exit point: Babadak Ranger Stn, Bokod, Benguet (+ 2 others) LLA (Ugo): 16.31916°N, 120.80166°E, 2150 MASL LLA...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #320: Ugo-Pulag Traverse Day 1 - Mt. Ugo Traverse
In my past blog entries, I spoke of the 'Great Cordillera Traverses': Pulag, Ugo, Napulauan, Amuyao, and eventually I added the Tirad Pass Traverse on the list. Now, I am convinced that there aren't...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #321: Ugo-Pulag Traverse Day 2 - From Indupit up Mt. Ambasa to...
Continued from Hiking matters #320: Waking up in Indupit village, I was excited about Day 2, for, from that point onwards, until I reach Mt. Pulag, I would be hiking in trails I've never seen before....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Viewpoint: Mt. Pulag may be the coldest place in the Philippines, but we need...
by Gideon Lasco I was in Mt. Pulag two weeks ago as the culmination of my four-day Ugo-Pulag Traverse, and I can personally attest to the cold temperatures that were being reported on news media. I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Do-it-Yourself Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg: The Complete Guide and FAQs
Do you really need a big group, or a tour, to climb Mt. Pulag? Not at all! This article is an instructional guide for individuals and small groups who wish to do Mt. Pulag by themselves, that is,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mt. Batolusong/Mapatag Plateau and Susong Dalaga Peak (645+/780+)
MT. BATOLUSONG (MAPATAG & SUSONG DALAGA)Tanay, Rizal Major jumpoff: Brgy. San Andres, Tanay, Rizal* LLA: 645 MASL / 780 MASL Days required / Hours to destination: 1 day /1.5h (Mapatag); 3-4 (Susong...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #322: Ugo-Pulag Traverse Day 3 - From Cabayo and Balete to Mt....
Continued from Hiking matters #321: After a restful night at Cabayo village, we continued our sojourn through the villages of Kayapa and Bokod in an attempt to connect Mt. Ugo and Mt. Pulag in one trek...
View ArticleClik here to view.
San Jose Circuit: Mt. Tangisan (491m), Mt. Bungkol Baka (617m), and Mt....
SAN JOSE CIRCUIT: MTS. TANGISAN, BUNGKOL BAKA & KAWAYANSan Jose, Tarlac Major jumpoff: Sitio San Pedro, Brgy. Iba, San Jose LLA (Mt. Tangisan):  15°26'8.22"N, 120°23'47.63"E, 491 MASL, 4km LLA...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Viewpoint: I hope that all organizers will limit the number of participants...
I hope that all hiking clubs and tour operators in the Philippines will limit the number of participants to 30 persons at any time, in any climb, in any mountain. Masyado nang marami ang hikers and we...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #323: Ugo-Pulag Traverse Day 4 - The summit of Mt. Pulag,...
Continued from Hiking matters #322: I slept well at the Ranger Station, relieved that once again I'm back in familiar territory. Relative to the three long days of hiking, the fourth will be easy; it's...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Now available: The New Pinoy Mountaineer Drifit Long Sleeves!
The New Pinoy Mountaineer Drifit Shirts are now available in long sleeved editions! Using highly breathable, lightweight fabrics, this latest  offering comes in five colors: White, Royal Blue, Red,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #324: It's Batulao time again!
 Mt. Batulao is one of my favorite dayhikes. The hike is scenic and is a great exercise. Its open slopes and windy peaks are my idea of 'freedom of the hills'; its rolling trails make for a good...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mountain News: Mt. Pulag is 'fully booked'; 30 is new maximum number of...
Park Superintendent Emerita Albas Park Superintendent Emerita Albas of the Mt. Pulag National Park told PinoyMountaineer.com that all March weekends are fully booked due to the sheer volume of people...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #328: My thoughts on Mt. Maculot's New Trail
Caught in a busy academic schedule, I wasn't planning on a hike last weekend, but I realized that I could squeeze in a Maculot hike with some of my other activities of the day, and so left Los Banos...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #325: Mt. Batolusong in Tanay, Rizal
The Sierra Madre is actually the mountain range closest to Manila, and yet it is not well-explored, and this is due to security concerns through several decades. However, the situation is becoming...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #326: Manabu Peak revisited
On February 7, 2013, Agot Isidro and I went for a weekday hike up Manabu Peak. We met up early in the morning in Turbina and proceeded to Brgy. Sta Cruz, Sto. Tomas, Batangas via Lipa through the STAR...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #327: Mt. Tangisan, Mt. Bungkol Baka, and Mt. Kawayan in one...
Seven months after we did the Mt. Damas dayhike traverse (Hiking matters #282), My friends and I once again joined the GAME-NEST hiking club for a hike in their province, Tarlac. Just like Mt. Damas,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hiking matters #328: A short hike up Imok Hill (Imoc Hill) in San Pablo, Laguna
Imok Hill (also spelled Imoc Hill; also known to locals as Mt. Obabis or Telefast) is one of the geographic features that I have been always seeing since I was very young, because it sits right between...
View Article