Detour Youth LP First Hike - Mt. Romelo

Detour's first journey happened on the well captivated mountain of Siniloan, Laguna, Mt. Romelo. 120 kms. away from south of Metro, Manila. Approximately a two and a half hour drive From Las Pinas City. known for it's stunningly beautiful falls and lushing trees.

One day while thinking of a place to hike, I came across Pinoy mountaineer's website. While looking on the mountains of Southern Tagalog, I was fascinated by the beauty of Buruwisan Falls. That very moment I decided Detour is going to be at that place. I immediately asked Rolly about my choice of location and he said, that's a good place to hike, but he doubt if the weather would permit us. It was rainy season at tht time. The trail, thought it's easy will be very difficult because of the thick mud.  

Rolly invited his fellow mountaineers to prepare us for the hike. Aldrein and Darwin Cavida of E.L.I.T.E. group Inc. then gave us a lecture on Basic Mountaineering. They also served as our guide during the climb along with the couple Mr. Jeff and Jenny.
After  physical, mental and spiritual preparation have done, we proceeded to Mt. Romelo on the 29th of October 2010.  We Left Las Pinas City aboard two jeepneys, a quarter before 5:00 a.m. and was able to reached Bgy. Dos, Siniloan, Laguna at 7:30 a.m. without traffic. We were welcomed by a few minutes of rain upon our arrival as we get off the jeep. And then we crossed a stream, a small river, then headed to the registration area. From there we had a few minute breakfast, we group ourselves, we prayed, and when the last name was put on the list, we started to climb.

as we climb, every body was so excited and was so noisy. usual jesting of youth can be heard aloud up to the first station, our first stop, and throughout the climb. We had a few minutes rest at that place, then we continued. A few meters away came along the muddy trail.our ascent becomes slower and slower because of the mud sticking on our shoes and sandals, but we still managed to pass by the two other stations and get to the base camp by 12:00 p.m. We had a few minutes break and we started our descent to Buruwisan falls because everyone's eager to see what they are hearing!(it's the falls!)
We had our lunch at the falls, after we ate some started to swim while others took a nap. I took some videos and photo's of buruwisan, rest for half an hour, stared at the beauty of surroundings  and managed to relax to prepare myself for our descent.  around 3:00 p.m. we fixed our things and left the area. matthew who's one of the last person to climb at the steep slope going to the camp area was hesitant to climb. so I encouraged him and told him there's no other way back but to climb. in which, eventually he did! thank God he was able to! I rented a horse for emergency purposes and janice, who wasn't able to take the punishment of the mud, took the horse. My wife and I managed to get down before darkness fell but, some of us didn't. And so, they experienced Mt. Romelo's enchantment. ha ha! Thanks to rols for his assistance who catch us up on our descent.
Indeed it was a fun climb, everyone has his/her own story to tell while on our way back home to las pinas. i asked everyone, uulit pa ba kayo? (are you going to join again?) for the next hike? all  of us said yes except for matthew. ironically he's with detour at Mt. Talamitam's overnight.(wait for  my Talamitam's story)