Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Mt. Bagwis, Malarayat Range and Brgy. Bitin

Solo Cross Country Cycling and Trekking




Malarayat range has three prominent peaks-- Mts. Malipunyo, Manabo and Bagwis. Located in Lipa, Malipunyo is tallest in the range and, possibly, in the entire province of Batangas. It separates Batangas from the neighboring provinces of Laguna and Quezon. 







Manabo, a favorite destination of outdoor enthusiasts, is regarded by mountaineers as “the mountain for beginners." Situated in Sto. Tomas, adventurers from all over Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and Central Luzon visit this mountain on weekends and holidays. 








Like Malipunyo, Bagwis is located in Lipa. Though the most imposing, Bagwis is the least climbed of the three mountains. Known to locals as Susong Dalaga and dubbed by mountaineers as Malarayat’s Matterhorn, one of its sides seems to stand at a 90 degree angle when viewed from a certain location. Bagwis’ less popular disposition may have been due to the difficult ascent that its sharp slopes offer the less experienced climbers. This may also be due to the presence of boho plants that partially block the trail and irritate with trichomes the skin and eyes of climbers. 









After three failed attempts that started in 2005, I finally reached the highest point of Malipunyo just last month. In the case of Manabo, I have been its constant visitor ever since I established the Ugnayan Kalikasan Reforestation Project way back 2008 though I first touched summit earlier in 2004. Thus, the remaining mountain to be conquered was Bagwis BUT not until I reached its summit last Sunday October 28, 2012.







I started pedaling from Canlubang toward Lipa early in the morning that day. Upon reaching the base of the mountain, I left my bike to local friends and hit summit more or less two hours after. It took me about an hour moving down the slopes.




On my way home, I pedaled thru the upland geothermal barangay of Bitin to reach Los BaƱos and, eventually, Calamba (but not before having a flat tire!). I arrived home few hours before sundown. 















All thanks to the Supreme Spirit who guides and keeps us all safe all the time!



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