Climbing mountains doesn’t require high-end equipments, accessories and multiple skills. It also doesn’t require number of mountains that climbed and number of famous hikers that has been climbed with. Climbing mountain requires WILL AND INTEREST: interest not only from the leisure of climbing but the interest of being on the trail with friends that you want to be with. It is easy to find a group that you can join and climb with but it is the interest of climbing the mountain itself with the right person joining and sharing the trail with.
A dim trek was started by 5AM in the Morning to escape the trail of inferno of Mt. Balingkilat, also known as the Mountain of Thunder. Dim trekking wasn’t that easy especially at Mt. Balinkilat with those grasses taller as a tree while there will ba a bunch of rocks that will surprise your steps and bump you afterwards.
We started the jump off at Chieftain Jimmy’s House with an altitude of only 15-25 masl. A trek to high cogonal trail of almost 45 minutes just to reach the Kawayanan water source just at the foot of Mt. Balingkilat. As soon as we’ve started to assault at the first part of the trail, the sunrise is almost approaching making the sky on its magnifecent colors turning the dim sky into different swatches.
LIGHT: From the anxious minds of having a humid and arid trek, God gave us the clouds to shade us, cool and strong winds to rejuvinate us and wonderful climbing buddies to share the long hours of assault, rock climbing and scrambling trail. As the sky was painted from its colours, it’s apparition symbolizes a wonderful and meaningful climb especially with the right individuals to share the adventure with and reflect each other purposes. My Sanggala Buddies was there and share each other passion. Started with Mam May Serana: The Competitive Lively Buddy; Mam Donna May de Guia: The Soul Catcher Buddy; Mam Lady Allyson Dulnuan: The Always In-Love Travel Seeker; Mam Sarah Alberto: The Fighter with Killer Dimples Buddy; Mam Cathy Argonza: The Zumba-Police EXplorer; Mam Gladys Villasaya: The Bubbly Kapuso Buddy; Mam Janille Jameiro: The Daredevil Chick; Mam Winnie Aquino: The Vigorous Maria Clara Hiker; Sir Arvin Villanueva: The Soulful Joker Buddy; Sir Edmund Sarabia: The Major Hiker Apprentice; Sir Rommel Benedict Ararilla: The Chinky Cool Buddy; Sir Robin Santos: The New Sanggala Silent Hiking Buddy; Sir Arnel Angelo Revilla; The Guest and Sir Andrew Elison: The Soulful Comedian Buddy.
As we were approaching to the summit, cool strong winds smashing the walls of the mountain but not to scare us but to bless us by giving us the feeling of comfort and relaxation while lifting our bodies from the vertical rockies assault. A breeze that whispering into our ears telling not to hold tight but to be more strong and courageous while crossing ravines. Coldness which feel us not to be chilled but letting our spirit firing with strength from a long hours of trek till we reach the glory of being on the summit.
SHADE: We reached the wide campsite near the summit by 11 AM. Contrary from several stories having Balingkilat as an Inferno above the summit, but we had the opposite as we experienced Heaven on earth on top of Mt. Balingkilat. The clouds was with us. They mantled the skies yet still given the luminance and view from above. It was just like God shaded us with His own protection in order for us to lush the view of the serene mountain top. That time was surreal. It was majestic. The feeling was superb. Its not to boast but to feel proud.
Mt. Balingkilat rated as major climbing mountain, worthy to stretch those aching limbs from its 360 degree views of Zambales. From the view of the beach and its coves; Anawangin, Talisayin, Nagsasa and Silanguin. View of Subic shore line and the islands of Capones and Camara lying from the sea of The Western Philippines.
As we finished our lunch and set of photo ops from the boulders, the view of Cinco Picos from beyond, and the ridges of Balingkilat; we approached ahead to summit.
The View of Cinco Picos at Campsite
Approaching Mt. Balingkilat Summit
Balingkilat composed of a rocky trail, few trees that sprouted yet rich on its cogonal grass lands and bamboo forests. Reaching the top would be the most exquisite view and a very rewarding climb smashing you with its cold wind. While traversing its ridges along Mt. Nagsasa with an inviting view of Mt. Cinco Picos towards the trail.
From the summit, the view was surreal. It was one of the most beautiful summit i reached. But its not how you reached mountain peaks, its how you reached people souls and reach the peak of success together with the amazing group.
We traversed at Mt. Bira-Bira after enjoying summit’s view. Some of the hikers shouted at us that it would be a knee-bashing trail. But the adventure and thrill was there. To try a different route; to test not how far we can go but to test how our will would lead us. We crossed Mt. Bira-Bira for almost 1.5 hours. Mt. Bira-Bira was a grassland knife edge, composing of burnt rocks that was believed from the lightning strikes but some from the forest fires. Most of the parts needs to be vigilant from loose rocks and ravines. Mt. Bira-Bira also leads a trail when traversing to Nagsasa Cove or Silanguin Cove. The trail also leading to Mt. Dayungan, one of the Mountain from Cawag Trio together with Mt. Cinco Picos. However, the trail to Bira-Bira was quite challenging from its ledges and knife edge while seems so near but yet so far from the point leading to the jump off.
From the deception point where splitting trail towards the neighboring mountains, after having some 10 minute rest, we trek ahead towards jump off. This climb, I congratulate Sir Edmund Sarabia, for being his first major dayhike mountain to climb. Before joining this climb, Sir Edmund asked me if he can do this climb since he never tried to hike a major mountain and in addition, his afraid of heights. I told Sir Edmund that, during my first major dayhike, I was also hesitant if I can do the job. But in the end of the day, it was a success though I got sick after the climb. But, the synopsis of the experimental hike, I dit it. And how can you tell yourelf that you can or you cant climb a difficult mountain if you do not try. And even you will tell yourself that you will give up during the hike but the trail would be no turning backs and will let yourself to finish the hike and after all the hardships, in the end of the day, you can prove yourself that you can. And realizing that you already exceed your limitations and will try again for another trials and courses that you will and have to try. That will feel you not to be strong but to feel strong and confident no matter and how far your mind wants to soar and explore. Being afraid and lazy to try to emancipate your soul from restriction will make your self dormant and always hesitant for burgeon. Its a matter of try and being successful.
The rain poured down to wash up our exhausted body and yet serves as a blessing from the sky that congratulates us that we finish our hike gloriously. As we trailing the way towards the jump off, the walls of Balingkilat seems to be swaying and greeting us with goodbye and appreciation not only from us to be thankful of being there but alao thanking us for visiting him.
I am rating this mountain as 10/10 from its beauty, a major mountain to climb for and one of the most beautiful mountain that i climbed. It is more fun in Zambales Mountains and looking forward to climb its neighboring mountains. Thanks to Sanggala Buddies that made the climb more memorable and exciting! 
This climb would be one of the special yet most memorable hike that I would cherish till the rest of my life. Its not the serenity of the place but the memory of a good friend. It was the last climb of one of our special hiking buddy, Sir Andrew Mejia. And we, as his last hiking buddies before he left and hiked his spirit up above, was been an honor and full heartedly remembered. We will cherish and rekindle all your laughs and jokes that you shared with us along the trail and even as we depart. You will be special to us and memories will be cherished. Your a friend, a buddy and a mentor of how life would be cherished. Kudos my friend and may your memories inspire us all the walks of our lives.
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