Guiting-guiting Exploration - Our Thanks

The tale of our adventure will not be complete without expressing our gratitude to all those who made it possible.

at the house of Kap. Bibo (photo: L. Orticio)

Guiting-guiting Expedition Day 8 - The Long Walk (Part 2)

(conclusion of Part 1)

Good Friday, 2:30 PM - I started walking down, ahead of the others. Now the real fun began. As I reached the lower elevation, I started to miss those shrubs and underbrush lashing my skin. At least with those I got relatively secure footing. The trail opened up at the forest line, and from here on in I was walking in wet, muddy, and slippery ground.

Even with my trusty trekking pole, I was no match to the virtual friction-less terrain. I was lord of the trail slide. The back of my pants is now laminated with a film of mud. I couldn't afford to be distracted by some errant thought while walking lest I miss my footing and slide again. Isong overtook me in due course, and it was hopeless to catch up to him no matter what I tried.

Further down, the dry riverbed we walked through is now sort of alive, and slimy. The rainwater from days before mixed with the moss covering the rocks created a Teflon coating scared the hell out of me, that I slowed to almost a crawl. I was surprised at the length of the riverbed that was part of the trail. A week ago it didn't feel we walked here very long.

Without a watch, it seemed I was walking for days on end. We went pass the long descent where the last water source can be found; now a bubbling brook. After which came the hard climb before we got back to the contour of the ridge. The forest added a dark and eerie feeling to the trek.

Guiting-guiting Exploration Day 8 - The Long Walk (Part 1)

(Warning: A very long entry)

Good Friday, 4 a.m. - It has been raining since midnight, and our bivouac site had little resistance to the incoming water. I've been sitting on the last dry spot while Levi and Bunny slept, sometimes snoring, oblivious to their soaked state on the flooded groundsheet. I've been missing my bed at home. 

In between sleeping and waking states, I've been telling myself, "this day better be worth it".

6 a.m - Daylight finally came, and the rain appears to have concluded its mission to make me miserable. In hindsight, sleeping beside a natural drain was not the best idea we've had. Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of options on where to sleep.

Mga basang sisiw

It's a complete "180" from the awesome weather less than 12 hours ago. Visibility was just about 20 feet. A testament to Mt. Guiting-guiting not giving a rat's ass on what we wanted. 

Guiting-guiting Exploration Day 1 - Welcome to Kabit-tubi

We arrived in Romblon, Romblon around 4 in the morning. I had some trouble sleeping past midnight, when the crew brought down the tarpaulin sheets (to protect passengers from sea spray), effectively suffocating everyone with stale, warm air. The ferry connection to Magdiwang arrives around 7 in the morning, so we had time to kill. We took advantage of the power outlets at the port terminal to recharge our phones. Levi and Bunny ventured out to buy the famous Boknoy's siopao, while I sleep and guard our things.

It was a Friday, and MV Maria Querubin was at standing-room capacity. We found a quiet and shaded corner at the top deck, and took turns dozing off. Bunny busied himself sewing the heck out of his Brooks Cascadia; a veteran of countless expeditions. The sun spoiled our quiet moments not long after the ferry left the port. We were hard-pressed to find some protection from the scorching rays as we wait for the ship to move eastward, thus bringing back the blessed shade.