Mount Hugom (570 masl): Conquering A Newly Opened Mountain For Hikers

I was invited by friend for the last minute. A week after we climbed Mount Pico de Loro, Mel messaged me that her friends will have a climb the following day to Mount Hugom.

I wasn't familiar with that mountain before. I even googled it but the search engine only says Mount Daguldol which is located at Barangay Hugom, San Juan Laiya, Batangas. So I thought that it was that mountain Mel was telling me. But oh well, I just said yes and confirmed my slot! He-he.

Meet up is at Shell EDSA-Buendia at 5:30.

 At 4:30, I was already there and had my breakfast at Mc Donalds. I even brought something for my lunch later. Later I knew that we will be with Gideon- the Admin of the very famous website among mountaineers.The pinoymountaineer.com 

Yay! I will climb with the famous. He-he. I've been also reading his site and I found it so useful and informative. I truly admire him for he has climbed hundreds of mountains already both local and international. 

Siya na talaga! :) He's quite nice, talkative and approachable. As I observed him climbing, he was effortless. My admiration for him goes deeper. (not on a romantic way!) I just love listening to his chitchats with his other friends who were with us during the climb.

The trail going to the summit of Mount Hugom is rough and steep. I found it hard and it's my hardest so far. You have to learn to depend on trees or plants around you.

"Kapit lang talaga para hindi ka mahulog kasi masakit." (Is that a hugot?)

But the view (as always) is worth it! In the middle of our hike, we can already see the white sand coastline of Laiya beach. We even passed through a green field (as I called it). They were "talahib", I guess.

According to our guide, they have just opened this mountain just last September. Wow! I was truly honored to be one of the few first timers that climbed Mount Hugom.

After more than two hours, we reached the summit.

And we could see more mountain ranges at the back of it. On your front there's a sea view while at your back is the mountain ranges view. Sulit!

We had our lunch at the summit then after not more than an hour we went down.

There's no alternative way going down yet so we passed through again the trail where we climb.

I was afraid to slip so I really became cautious of my steps. Yes, it was hard going down for me but then it was a lot faster.

Thank you to all the guys I've been with for assisting a pabebe climber like me. Ha-ha! It was such a fun and challenging climb. It was an hour I guess when we were back at the base.

As we went down, we took a bath and ate a rice meal before heading home. I didn't put any amount for the expenses because we took a private van and I also have no idea on how much is the registration fee or guide fee. We just paid a certain amount per pax and it was them who did the budget. ;) It was nice meeting new people while doing the thing I learned to love and that is mountain hiking. More mountains to climb!

You may visit www.pinoymountaineer.com for further details regarding this climb.

P.S.

We reached Manila again at past seven in the evening. We took a dinner at a famous restaurant somewhere in Barangay San Antonio, Makati. The Pat-Pat’s Kamsi. Another first time for me here!

Kamsi is an Ilonggo dish. It is similar to bulalo but then it is sour. So I may say that it is bulalo and sinigang in one.

It’s delicious, by the way!