Double Hike 2: Mt. Talamitam and Mt. Batulao

Last day of 2012 was really an adventure, we planned it before Christmas. My friends and I were having a last twin hike for 2012. We invited some friends and officemates to join our trip. Unfortunately, some are not available because they’re going to spend their Christmas in their hometown. And some are joining us.

December 30, 2012, we met at Pasay Rotonda. We rode a bus bound to Nasugbu, Batangas. We’re going to meet up Jin's officemates at Sitio Bayabasan. It takes 2 hours going to Nasugbu so I have time to take some nap.

We arrived at Sitio Bayabasan around 8:50am and we met the others then proceed to the registration, we paid for 20pesos each. Then, start trek.

Mt. Talamitam, 630+ meters above sea level, is a bald mountain and it was named after the Talamitam trees that used to raise on its hills. It was an easy trail going up to the peak of Mt. Talamitam. But, I would tell you that it can be a exhausting hike especially when the sun is already up. There are few trees cover.

It takes 1-2 hours to complete the trek up to the peak of the mountain. The trail is easy it starts at the end of a uneven road fall to Talamitam river and pass by a short woodland trek that connect to a grassland hills. The summit assault is about 30 minutes. At the summit, there are beautiful views especially if the sky is clear. Going back will take less than an hour.

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conquering Mt. Talamitam in a sunny day

The second mountain is Mt. Batulao, the two officemates of my friend will not joining us anymore to Mt. Batulao. But, our friend Roy will join us. We met him at Evercrest, Nasugbu. From there, we ate our lunch and took some rest. Then, proceed to the trek at exactly 2:00pm. We rode a tricycle going to the jump-off. We paid 10pesos each to the driver.

We didn’t hire a guide because this is our second time hike with Jin excluding Roy and Jey. We took the old trail to new trail. You can read my first hike in Mt. Batulao.

Mt. Batulao, the second time around

at the peak of Mt. Batulao

Itinerary of twin hike: Mt. Talamitam and Mt. Batulao

6:00am - assembly at Pasay Rotonda

6:30am - ride a bus bound to Nasugbu, Batangas. Just tell the driver/condutor to drop you at Sitio Bayabas.

8:50am - arrived at Sitio Bayabasan

9:00am - registration 20pesos each, then proceed to the jump-off and start trek

11:00am - Summit

11:30am - back to trail

12:00nn - Lunch and rest

1:45pm - from evercrest, ride a tricycle going to the jump-off

2:00pm - start trek (old trail), at campsite 1, register your name/group, pay 20pesos each

4:00pm - Summit

4:30pm - descent (new trail)

6:30pm - back to Manila

Sunset from Mt. Batulao

Cost

Bus fare - 124pesos/pax

Mt. Talamitam:

Registration Fee - 20pesos/pax

Tour Guide - 400pesos (we paid 400pesos to the guide)

Mt. Batulao:

Tricycle (evercrest to jumpoff) - 10pesos/pax

Registration Fee (Old Trail, campsite 1) - 20pesos/pax

Registration Fee (New Trail) - 20pesos/pax

**we didn't ride a jeep from Sitio Bayabasan to Evercrest because Jin's officemate offer us  to give us a drive. So, I guess, its minimum fare.

Estimated cost: 700pesos

Mt. Talamitam is my official 6th conquered mountain and second time to climbed Mt. Batulao. Hooray!

Happy climbing,
Marco