Baler’s Primeval Peak – Mt. Danayag (1,595+)
Mt. Danayag is a challenging mountain to hike that will take you to the rainforests of Baler, Aurora
It was around 01:00 in the afternoon when I started to ask how much longer before we finish the traverse. “I am not good with estimating time, but I think we’re a third of the way from the jump-off” mumbled by our organizer.
I took a deep breath and blew raspberries as we are already inching closer to the hike’s 9th hour.
Oh, Mt. Danayag, you really are something. Then we crossed another river again.
Gnarled Roots and Thorny Branches
Just five (5) hours away from Manila, we already arrived in Baler, Aurora by 03:00 in the morning. This side of Aurora is famous for surfing, lounging around under the sun, soaking up in its magnificent waterfalls, and all the fun stuff by the beach. Four years ago when I I went to the Mother Falls alone, I told myself that someday I will climb the mountain behind it.
And that day was today.
Arriving in Brgy. Ditumabo, the same jump-off to the Mother Falls, we had a briefing of what to expect and met with our guides. We started the hike by 04:30 in the morning, passing through a 2km cemented road before it eventually ends in a muddy yet wide trail that happens to be the old logging road.
The flat muddy terrain eventually transitioned into a forested narrow trail. It was clearly overgrown with thickets, gnarled tree roots, ferns and thorny plants. My clunky body kept brushing with everything as I bulldozed my way past it.
4 hours on the trail, we finally arrived at the campsite (1,330+). It is just then that we noticed the Limatiks creeping around, and one of our group members actually had first blood on his legs.
Walang Poreber, Walang Clearing
The summit was around 40 minutes away so we left our bags and pushed through the summit. It also happens that the campsite was the terminal point for the back trail or the traverse portion of the mountain. The trail from the jump-off to the summit is really long and tiring.
While the ascent was very gradual and steep portions are not really present. A few ducks over uprooted trees, several stops because of Teka-Teka plants clinging onto hairs and shirts, and a couple of grunts from going over branches. We have finally arrived at the summit of Mt. Danayag (1,595+).
As expected because of the light rain showers that morning, everything was covered in white as we made our way to the view point. Because of the lack of grand vistas and Instagram-able locations, I was more attuned to the forest life around us during the hike. I also spotted a couple of birds that resemble that of the Luzon Hornbill from the tree canopies. Also I saw small birds in yellow, green and blue plumages.
My eyes were fixed on the trail looking for unique flora and fauna. I almost failed to notice a tree full of beards of moss with a bunch of pitcher plants hanging like crazy from its branches.
But even with all the thick forests, Limatiks, impatience with thorny floras and uprooted trees blocking the trail. Isn’t this what we all want for the forests covering our mountains?
Traversing Mt. Danayag
With the proliferation of all sorts of mountaineering events and organizers, the once quiet mountains we took refuge after a week of tiring work is now even more crowded. Nowadays, it has been an unspoken rule for some to climb unique and unheard mountains for a change – just to avoid the crowd.
Sierra Madre on the other hand, just recently opened up a number of mountains, although most of them are not for the faint-hearted.
Sierra Madre with its vast tropical rain forests, has a character of its own. And Mt. Danayag is just an intro to the boundless hiking opportunities in the area.
We got back at the campsite for a quick rest and snacks. Only the seven of us decided to proceed with the traverse. We then descended by 11:30am, around 7 hours on the trail. Unsurprisingly, since this side is not much visited by mountaineers, the trail was even more unestablished, and more physically challenging.
First part of the descent was a gradual hike on thick bushes and toppled trees with Limatiks every now and then. It took an hour before we reached the first river crossing where we also had our water bottles refilled.
It was challenging, the whole descent was composed of a steep descent over narrow trails, the river crossing, then another steep ascent, a few times on a 90 degree ravine holding on to roots for support.
We never got a chance to visit the Father Falls, the larger waterfall feeding the Ditumabo Mother Falls. Although we heard the loud roaring sound of its twin cascade.
By the 11th hour on the trail, I was mentally exhausted, even pondering on the thought of “The things we do for love”.
Then all things went good when we reached the terminal point of the hike which is the Ditumabo River.
How To Get There
- Mt. Danayag is located in San Luis, Aurora with its jump-off point in Brgy. Ditumabo in Baler, Aurora
- From Manila catch any Genesis Bus in Cubao Terminal bound for Baler. They depart hourly from 04:30am until 03:00pm. (Travel time 6-7 hours, fare 550.00php/pax)
- Alternately, you can take any Baliwag Transit or Victory Liner bound for Cabanatuan (Travel time 3-4 hours), then from Cabanatuan transfer to any Van bound for Baler (Travel time 2-3hours, farfe 220php via Pantabangan Rd.)
- From Baler, hail a tricycle to take you to Brgy. Ditumabo, then you can contact Barangay Councilor Ondon Amazona to assist you in hiking Mt. Danayag
- If you want a hassle free climb, you can contact Xhivian Zerome Napigkit Bolivar or Lily Salmorin of Tsinelas Transit
- I was a solo joiner on their event and I paid 1,699.00php for the event fee which covers tranportation, guides and registration fees
Itinerary and Expenses
Mt. Danayag (1,595+) Traverse Day Hike
Organized Tour by Tsinelas Transit
(This is our hike pace: Lead Team 11hours- Sweep Team 12hrs)
2200 Depart for Baler from Manila
0330 Arrival in Baler, early breakfast and buy packed lunch
0430 Start Trek
0500 End of cemented road
0630 Danayag Ridge, first rest stop
0800 Tanawan View Deck
0830 Campsite (1,330MASL), rest
0840 Summit assault
0920 Mt. Danayag Summit (1,595MASL)
0945 Descend back to campsite
1020 Back at campsite
1130 Start descent on the traverse side
1230 First river crossing
1540 Ditumabo Mother Falls
1600 Arrival at jump-off point, lunch, tidy up
1900 Depart for Manila
12mn Arrival in Manila
Tips
- There is no water source from the jump-off point until the summit, bring atleast 2-3 liters of water depending on your consumption
- Signal is sporadic but present at the summit
- Wear arm covers, leggings, compression pants to protect yourself from limatiks, thorns and other elements
- Bring a raincoat in case it rains
- The trail length is 16 kilometers
- Starting elevation is around 102 meters
- There are several water sources on the traverse side, the nearest one is around 500 meters from the campsite
- Bring lots of patience and two-hoods
- Practice LNT Principles at all times
