Mt. Balingkilat THE COMPLETE DETAILS скачать в хорошем качестве

Mt. Balingkilat THE COMPLETE DETAILS

MT. BALINGKILAT Subic, Zambales Jumpoff: Sitio Abot, (kuya Jhez house) Cawag, Subic Town LLA: 14.89 N, 120.11 E (est.), 1100 MASL Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 4-6 hours Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 1-4 100 pesos entrance BACKGROUND Mt. Balingkilat, literally the “Mountain of Thunder” in the native Aeta language, is at 1100 MASL one of the highest peaks in the Zambales Coastal Mountains and Coves area, an emerging hiking hotspot within San Antonio and Subic towns that has scenic views and nice trails that interconnect high peaks and beautiful coves. It was once known as ‘Pointed Peak’, a name that was used by US Navy servicemen who used to be stationed in nearby Subic Naval Base, but this title’s descriptive accuracy is valid only on certain vantage point. Moreover, out of respect for and appreciation of the indigenous people’s heritage, we are preferring the native name Balingkilat, and has re-emerged as the common name given to this mountain. Like many mountains in the western side of Luzon, Balingkilat is rocky, grassy, and windy. There is little tree cover. There are steep parts in the final legs of the trail, but the views are refreshing: the Subic Bay coastline and the neighboring mountains such as Mt. Cinco Picos. In the past, the Balingkilat climb was usually a two-day affair. Hikers would take an early morning bus to Subic, then take a jeepney to Sitio Cawag. The climb starts midmorning, with a 60-90-minute initial push to Kawayanan—an “oasis in the desert.” The trek then resumes to the summit campsite, where another water source is available. Between lunch and the campsite, the trail becomes quite steep, with open ridges, rocky slopes, and sharp boulders. A day hike, however, is very possible, and this option becomes even more appealing because it opens up the opportunity to climb Balingkilat and its “sister mountain” Cinco Picos in one weekend, with both climbs as day hikes staged from Sitio Cawag. With a day hike, the trek takes only 3-5 hours and can be planned to avoid the sun. For instance, hikers can start the climb in the afternoon, reach the summit by 1630H, and start descending by 1700H – leaving enough sunlight for the steeper, higher parts. The next day, a Cinco Picos climb can begin very early in the morning. For more information about this exciting itinerary, see Two Dayhikes: Mts. Balingkilat and Cinco Picos. A standalone dayhike itinerary is detailed below. At the summit, one can behold South China Sea and the coastline, which includes, from north to south, the following coves: Anawangin, Talesayen, Nagsasa, and Silanguin. Mt. Cinco Picos meanwhile is SSE, and between Cinco Picos and Balingkilat lies the “third mountain” that can very well complete a ‘Cawag Trio’: Mt. Dayungan. Further afield are the Bataan mountains, Mt. Natib (SE), Mt. Samat (SSE), and Mt. Mariveles (SSW). The other mountains of Zambales are also visible, including what is called ‘Mt. Malasimbo’ (E). These, and the scenic ridges, make Balingkilat a truly breathtaking place. Balingkilat is intrinsically an easy-to-moderate mountain. Only the extrinsic factor of intense sun exposure makes it a moderately difficult, at times very taxing climb. The sun can be such a punisher that this dictum would always come to mind: “The best time of the year to climb the Zambales mountains is at night.” Dimtrekking, or hiking in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the sun, is also a good strategy. Don’t forget to bring sunblock and lots of water!