My choice of words depends on the people I deal with. Since I’m working in a learning institution, you’d expect me to talk formally because, you know, “modeling”. But of course, when pressed with all the deadlines and demanding people, I turn into a Super Saiyan and that’s when all the foul words learned from my neighborhood come in.
Luckily, hiking came into the picture. Several days in the forest and mountains allowed me to find a different kind of peace and self-control. However, not all hiking trips lead to deep reflection—especially when scaling the most challenging mountain in Panay’s trilogy: Mt. Baloy-daku.
Such a memorable climb to Mt. Baloy Daku began with fandom. I have a quirky habit of diving into every post of a blogger I find interesting. After reading Sir Adonis’ account of his ninety-day immersion in the mountains of the Cordillera (I Found God in the Mountains), I got hooked on the rest of his stories, including his several attempts to reach Mt. Baloy’s summit.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I began researching how difficult “difficult” really was, given his hardcore background. So when he posted an invitation for his final attempt to summit Baloy-daku, I sent a private message expressing my interest. I soon discovered I wasn’t the only curious soul from Cebu eager to tackle this notorious mountain.
Fellow hikers Chabs and Tuts also joined, validating my theory that Mt. Baloy-daku would be a formidable challenge. To prepare, Chabs initiated grueling hikes every Sunday, following the Spartan-Manggapares-Napo-Babag-Bocaue-Pamutan-Banawa route. But no amount of practice could fully prepare us for the wrath of Mt. Baloy. Beyond the trail’s difficulty, our patience and endurance were truly put to the test.
Mt. Baloy-daku Day 1: River + Talahib
I loved the first day of our Mt. Baloy-daku hike. Despite PAGASA’s forecast of “heavy thunderstorms,” we were blessed with fine weather. The journey started with several river crossings from Barangay Agustin to the river campsite.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the steep ascent to the ridge. We battled talahib, loose soil, and an almost 90-degree climb. Though it was tough, the view during the ascent was breathtaking, reminiscent of Alicia’s panoramic hills, but with fog and a sunset in the background.
We took a short break on the ridge before continuing to our first campsite.
Mt. Baloy-daku Day 2: Talahib + Limatik
Day 2 of your Mt. Baloy hike started with dealing with talahib, limatik (leeches), and traversing ridges from Baloy Gamay to Baloy-daku. True to local warnings, it rained when the lead pack reached Father Augustine Campsite, believed to be a sign of the mountain’s guardians’ hostility.
Thankfully, the Superhumans of Panay—Kevin, Sir Nath, and Kuya Jun—quickly set up a bivouac campsite, diverted water flow, and sealed openings to keep out the limatiks. We squeezed into the makeshift shelter, hoping not to be eaten alive by the leeches.
REALIZATION: Tuts discovered that spraying alcohol made it easier to remove leeches, and petroleum jelly was also helpful.
SECOND REALIZATION: Limatiks can grow favoritism. Interestingly, Chabs and Paula seemed to attract the most leeches.
Mt. Baloy-daku Day 3: Limatik + Downhell + Ragiwriw + Talahib
The third day of our Mt. Baloy hike was an emotional rollercoaster. An early announcement that our rations might not last forced us to adjust our plans.
Instead of a regular breakfast, we had arroz caldo, which I cooked under Sir Nath’s guidance—luckily, without poisoning anyone. Man, my family would surely die laughing if they knew how I prepared food for my comrades. (Tell me I’m not the only one who’s banned from the kitchen at home.)
Good thing Sir Nath was quite particular with his instructions. I survived and they didn’t get poisoned with what I prepared. Eksdi. Nairaos rin!
Fast forward, the hike commenced and in less than an hour, we arrived at the summit of Mt. Baloy-daku! We didn’t stay long there since it continued raining and the fog began to thicken as well. As much as we wanted to celebrate, we were faced with the second part of the hike: downhell. Going up is a choice; going down is mandatory.
During regular hikes, downhills are my favorite parts of the journey. I’d even run if my knees allow. But man, Mt. Baloy Daku downhell is no easy feat. We have to pass Enzo Peak, Joke Peak (name combination of Jonathan and Kevin), and the never-ending Kinulitan Trail, where we have to crawl, hang, and swing around the leaves and branches of ‘ragiwriw’.
The worst part was scrambling down loose soil on an almost ninety-degree slope. Frustration set in as we could hear the river but couldn’t see it, slipping and falling multiple times.
Since we were in the middle pack, we didn’t know how far we were from the campsite. We could hear the loud rushing of the river, but no river was within sight. We could hear the echoes of the lead pack but there were no traces of them. Add to that the several times we had to slip, fall, and cry out in pain.
Those were the times I learned to use properly “putang ina” and “gago”, not to mention my mother-tongues’s @%@R%^%@^*&#* This also reminded me of a favorite Facebook meme by a Spartan hiker (Jahmar) that goes: Ayoko na sa Earth.
And as if such were not enough, I’d like to remind you that we are short on food. So, imagine us eating our lunch… without rice. Probably, the only highlight of the day, aside from summiting, was the refreshing treat brought by the river near the campsite.
Mt. Baloy-daku Day 4: Unlimited River
The last day started on a high note. Sir Nath assured us we’d reach Barangay Busog by lunch and then return to Valderrama. We took a leisurely pace, sharing stories and personal experiences.
Seeing our chill pace, Jack (the only foreigner who completed the Panay Trilogy) left the lead pack and joined us. Upon inquiry, he shared that Baloy became his favorite amongst the 9/9 that he has scaled and that he wanted to spend more time with it. ‘I don’t want to leave Mt. Baloy Daku,’ were his words.
Half the day was spent reminiscing about the challenges we had overcome. We feasted on local nilagang baboy mixed with langka at the barangay captain’s house, preparing for the final challenge: an indefinite river crossing.
Did I mention how much I love river trekking? I take it back now. Seriously, though it wasn’t as difficult in comparison to ragiwriw and direct ascent, it’s my least favorite part of the hike.
Four hours of waist-level river trekking tested our patience and resolve. If not for Kevin and Sir Adonis, I would have been washed away to Valderrama. This is what you get for declining the use of a trekking pole, huh.
Around this time, I wished there were stronger words than “putang ina” and “gago” because no amount of comforting words would surmount the raging emotions within me. In the words of Lagataw, the last two days of the hike were a test of patience—my worst enemy.
The day prior to our Mt. Baloy Daku hike, Kevin seemed excited to learn Bisaya, given that four members of the group were from Cebu. But it went the other way around.
Instead of him learning new words, it was we who learned to value the proper expression of these words. We learned when to stop when a borderline has been crossed, how powerful magic words such as “thanks” and “sorry” can be, and why we should go beyond judging people with the words that they have chosen to use.
More than just the successful assault, Mt. Baloy Daku taught us that sometimes… words are not enough to contain the enormity of what we feel. And in the absence of words, there goes the real essence of life: such a beautiful journey to keep in memory.
Special thanks to Lagataw for organizing the event and to the Superhumans of Panay—Sir Nath and Kevin—for their dedication. Thanks also to the team (Chabs, Tuts, Sir Mark, Paula, Jack, Wazi, Ledz, and Kuya Jun) for understanding and embracing our cultural differences. It was an honor to hike with you all. Kruhay! wink
Also, read other mountain climbing experiences here:
- A Stranger brought us to Mt. Pinatubo
- The cost of Mt. Hamiguitan
- Mt. Talinis (Nacolon): Maybe love is sweeter the second time around
- Lake Holon: A Proof that Faith can indeed move Mountains
- Things they purposely don’t tell you about Mt. Apo
- Mt. Pulag: What the Playground of Gods taught us about Taking Things Slowly (via Akiki Trail)