Mt. Amuyao
Barlig – Barlig Trail
Macalama Barlig, Mt.
Province
Moving Time and
Day(s): 7 Hours and 20 Minutes | 3 Days
October 25-27 2012
Day 0-1
Only Ohayami bus
offers trip to Banaue (as of Oct. 2012) and there are only two trips (2100H,
2200H). Buying ticket ahead of time of departure is highly advised. Our
assembly time was 2100H. Unfortunately, all seats were taken for the last trip
(2200H). So we opted to take a bus that will pass by Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.
Options include Florida buses bound to Tuguegarao, Apari, etc. When we arrived
in Bagabag, we quickly negotiated with a jeep to take us in Banaue.
We arrived in Banaue
at around 0910H. Our chartered jeep was already waiting for us. We ate our
breakfast, prepared our packed lunch, and bought some supplies. We’ve been
delayed with our itinerary. EJ Soriano was still on her way to Banaue. We decided
to leave her behind for the convenience and benefit of the team. Before we
finally pushed on, we bought tickets to Manila scheduled on Saturday at 1900H.
Our team arrived in Barlig Municipal and Police station at exactly 1245H. A
courtesy call and registration is a must. While waiting for our guide, we ate
our packed lunch and prepared for the lengthy hours of trekking. After 2 hours,
the guide finally arrived and our chartered jeep brought us Barangay food
terminal (jump off).
Our trek started at
exactly 1500H. We passed through the community area of Barlig then the ancient Barlig Rice Terraces. The terraces
trail is paved, some portions of which are steep while other parts are almost
flat. We then passed by the pine forest trail which is frequently steep but
established and wide. Rain had been pouring since we started our trek. Coldness
penetrated in our bodies even if we were protected by raincoat. During our last
regroup in the pine forest, we decided to meet again in the waiting shed before
proceeding to Monkelat trail. Sir Joel Garalde and I lead the team. The trail
continued to be a combination of steeps and flats.
It was already turning late in
the afternoon; I am already starving and decided to eat my packed lunch before
sun set. Darkness loomed as we continued with our trek. We then entered the
mossy forest. The trail is gradual and relatively easy. We reached the waiting
shed at 0620H. Sir Joel and I quickly changed our wet shirt. Charles came in
with our guide. We cooked and ate spicy noodles to heat up our body. The rest
of the team came around between2000-2100H. One got injured (ankle sprain) while
the rest were exhausted and shivering from cold. They decided to camp in the
waiting shed. Sir Joel and I wanted to push for to summit. But eventually we
decided to stay with the team. Only 2-3 tents can be accommodated in the waiting
shed. We noticed that we were bitten by limatik.
Day 2
We woke up at around
0400H and had our breakfast. At exactly 0630H, we started our trek. Ahead of us
was the Monkelat trail, the steepest part of the trail.
It took us 40 minutes
to trek from the waiting shed to Amuyao knife edge. From that point, I trekked
alone. The electric posts lead all the way to the summit. I reached Mt. Amuyao
summit at 0830H. The bunker was closed. I tried to knock at the ABS-CBN station
but it seemed that that no one is there. I went to GMA station hopping to find
a shelter to hide protect myself from the cold winds and rain. Luckily, the
station technician was there and let us stay inside the station. The initial
plan was to traverse Mt. Amuyao from Barlig, Mt. Province to Batad, Ifugao.
President Bryan Tamayo of UEM decided not to push through with the original
plan but to get back in the same route the next day. Sir Joel and I were eager
to do the traverse. Our guide could lead the two of us down to Pat-yay village
but I was already out of budget. We stayed in the station and descended the
next day.
Before sun set, Sir Charles, Mam Joy Miranda, Jessie Sarmiento and I
visited the summit despite the bad weather. We took some pictures even without
a clearing and views from the summit. We spent our night in the station.
Day 3
The weather finally
improved on our last day. The sky was clear and the golden sun showed up. We
were rewarded with stunning views. Amuyao ridge and mountains of Benguet,
Ifugao and Mountain Province can also be seen.
I descended around 0630H and
reached the waiting shed at exactly 0730H.
I can’t help but be amazed. I took
pictures of magnificent Barlig Rice terraces.
By 0830H, I arrived in Barlig
town. We left Barlig at 1300H. We had a
quick stop at Bay-yo Rice Terraces before finally heading to Banaue. We left
Banaue at 1900H and arrived in Manila at 0400H.
Although we didn’t
traverse Mt. Amuyao, we were able to conquer the summit. Mt. Amuyao Traverse is
an unfinished business for me but I’ll promise to get back there.
Mt. Amuyao Itinerary (Barlig – Barlig Trail) | Cutting trip
Day 0
1020 ETD Manila
Day 1
0700 ETA Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya
Negotiate with a jeep to take
you to Bananue
0910 ETA Banaue | Breakfast | Buy supplies
1010 ETD | rented jeep to Barlig
1245 ETA Barlig Municipal Hall & Police
Station | Register
Lunch | wait for your guide
1500 Start trek
1820 ETA waiting shed | Camp here or push to
summit
Day 2
0630 Start trek
0830 ETA Summit | Camp here or descend
Day 3
0530 Summit sun rise
0630 Descent
0730 ETA waiting shed
0830 ETA Jump off | Barlig Food terminal
Wash up.
1300 Back to Banaue
1510 ETA Bananue
1900 ETD
0500 ETA Manila
Budget and Expense
380 Bus
fare Manila to Bagabag Nueva Vizcaya
135 Chartered
Jeep (1200/9 pax) to Banaue
645 Chartered
Jeep (5800/9 pax) Banaue to Barlig v.versa
25 Police
registration / donation
45 Tourism registration fee
350 Guide
fee 3000/9 pax (1000 per day for Barlig trail)
500 Others
450 Bus
fare Banaue to Manila
2530 TOTAL
