Location: Tanay Rizal, Republic of the Philippines.
Date: April 19-20, 2014.
Summer 2014. It is more fun in the Philippines.
From saltwater to fresh water? What could be more refreshing?
After almost a month from our Burot beach experience, we were invited to join STOIC's mountain climb activity with a side trip to a river.
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| A view from Daraitan's peak |
Check out the video of our trip here. Enjoy! :)
It was holy week in the Philippines, so days and nights are long and surely as hot as summer. During this period, everyone else in the city usually escapes for a vacation. Everything is shut from big shopping malls to grocery stores and tiny kiosks that you normally see on regular days. Though some fast-food stalls take advantage and opt to stay open to serve the needs of the nearby unruffled busy community, this would be the most quiet holiday being observed in the country.
It's Friday..but Sunday is coming.
Nothing is planned for the weekend so instead of lamenting, the gift of a great start is worth celebrating with this climb. Although nothing can be compared by the hardships endured by Jesus when He carried the cross to pay for our ransom, this activity seems to be connected with the season. A reward is expected after a challenge.
Picture an egg hunt through the assaults you need to conquer to see the majestic view from Mount Daraitan's peak then traverse down anticipating a delightful scene of amazing rock formations through Tinipak River. And, haven't I mentioned yet, the clean waters of the river await to cleanse your fully-perspired body. This is more than exciting!
Getting There.
The meeting place was set to be at Jollibee Store Ligaya Branch (Amang Rodriguez cor. Marcos Highway, Dela Paz, Pasig City). So from there, we rode a jeepney that took us at most an hour to Cogeo in Antipolo, Rizal. The fare rate from Ligaya to Cogeo is PhP 17.00 per head.
From Cogeo Public Market, we took another jeepney-ride going to Sampaloc, Tanay Rizal, costing at PhP 61.00 each. Travel time was approximately two hours. After getting what we need from Sampaloc market, we had an amazing 30-minute tricycle-ride heading to Barangay Daraitan although we passed through some rough roads. We paid PhP 50.00 per pax.
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| Barangay Hall @ Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal |
After registration at the Barangay hall, the group huddled to start the climb and before we knew it, we were at the summit after ascending for two hours and thirty minutes. There was no sea of clouds at the time but we still had fun taking photos and enjoyed the landscape from the top.
It's The Climb.
The climb specs are as follows:
Jump off point: Brgy. Daraitan Tanay, Rizal
Specs: Minor climb | Difficulty 3/9 | Trail Class 3-4 | 719 MASL
Estimated Days and Hours: 1-2 days | 2:30 ascend | 1:50 descend
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| Mount Daraitan Summit |
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| Mount Daraitan Summit |
Mount Daraitan Summit
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Descend.
Traversing down to Tinipak river took us an hour and fifty minutes. All of us were excited to take a plunge in the river to cool down but the sun had already set down and we needed to secure camp. Before our eyes can blink, it was already night time.
After dinner, the boys began disturbing the calmness of the water even if our night-light source was not enough. It was a bit cloudy. The moon was hiding until it's late when the group was enjoying its socials. The water was cold enough to cool ourselves and chill some of our drinks. Everyone turned to booze a little just to beat that cold night.
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| Night Socials |
As the famous Christian sermon says, "Sunday is coming", which idiomatically translates to another metaphor "There's a rainbow after the rain", the next morning was amazingly fun. We got to celebrate Easter Sunday enjoying the sight of the white rock formations surrounding the river.
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| The giant rocks |
The place was indeed relaxing. I couldn't help but compare the experience from the Burot beach trip adventure last March. Overall rating is more than OK as you won't have that sticky feel you get from dipping in saltwater.
I literally didn't want to get myself out of the water but it started to get sunny and the team needed to pack up then trek back home after lunch time. Actually, the original plan was to go spelunking the next day but everyone seemed to be mesmerized by the cool river and therefore decided to just enjoy and relax onsite.
While we're on our trail back home, there was a magnificent rock so awesome that the group can hardly continue the walk unless we suit ourselves to climb on the rock and take advantage of the photo opportunity.
The Final Say.
Tinipak River is a very nice place! A thumbs up is an understatement. It's a good adventure place not just for adults but for active elder kids too, of course, supervision is required. We'll surely go visit this place again next time.
Photo credits ©M Abenir & STOIC.
All rights reserved. 2014.
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