How these Mountains Healed Me!

2023: Hiking the Best Peak Experiences

"Stop staring at mountains. Climb them instead, yes, it's a harder process but it will lead you to the best view. "

- UNKNOWN - 

I have never been this adventurous my whole life until I started hiking again after my most painful heartbreak. After I left my religious (seminary) life, I had this inner pain and constant question about myself. “Why my life was such a waste? This is not me, never!”

January 2016 was my first hike in Mount Ulap with a group of friends and workmates. I was happily and secretly in a relationship from my family. It was my escape. I was never happy deep inside.

The following years were full of ups and downs. I was overwhelmed specially when pandemic hit, broke up with a loyal and honest boyfriend for six years in 2022, get into another stupid relationship in 2023, another break-up again, and change from one dating app to another, financial struggles and many more.

But everything has changed when I always think about the mountains.

Here is the list of mountains that gave me realizations and lifelong reminders during my hikes in 2023:

1. Mount 387 (located in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija) – 724 MASL

This is the hike which I thought I would pass out in the trail. I was physically, emotionally, and psychologically unstable when I decided to take the trail.

I almost lost breath. I might have walked too fast because it had been four months since my last hike. So, I rested multiple times because every time I my heart beats fast, I would feel dizzy until my body started to get used to it.

I walked ahead of the group as I didn’t stop that much until I reached the summit.

I slept even while I was waiting for the rest of the group.

I emptied my mind and gave myself in while enjoying the comfort of the cold breeze on the mountain top. It gave me comfort. I thanked God for the gift of nature. I recalled reminiscing my painful days. And today, this mountain relieved the pain. This is the reason I listed this as one of my favorite peaks.

While I was swinging under the LOVE tree, I realized that one point in our lives, there’s this one person who would come and give you the best lesson in life – not to trust anyone at all but yourself. This is not because they’re bad but there’s someone that’s best for you at a right time in God’s hour.

2. Mount Batolusong (located in Tanay, Rizal) – 883 MASL

This mountain has an amazing view of the Sierra Madre Mountain range. The trail was good for beginners, you can even run. Except the two stations that are quite challenging because its ascents are roughly sixty to seventy degrees.

After the Duhat Peak, I witnessed the sea of clouds. It looked so amazing! If we could take care of the mother nature, then this would be seen by our future children’s children.

I had an amazing clearing experience, though it was extremely hot because of a long open trail. However, there are trees that you can find shade once you get exhausted.

3. Mount Batulao (located in Nasugbu, Batangas) – 811 MASL

I was with a close friend Rezia, when I hiked this mountain. It was raining so hard a night before our scheduled hike.

This was supposedly an easy trail as trail were just like a walk in the park except the assaults few meters before the summit.

Last night’s rain made the path so sticky, and slippery.

I had the most beautiful sunrise, and this made this hike one of my favorite peaks. The rain a night before I think made the sunrise more colorful and we witnessed the beautiful rainbow above us. It was an amazing experience!

Living in the city for more than a decade made me realize how much I missed living a simple life in the province.

God gave me a very beautiful clearing again for the third time. It was a thrilling but a memorable hike; something that I could treasure my whole life.

4. Mount Espadang Bato (located in Mascap, Rodriquez, Rizal) – 455 MASL

This hike was supposedly my year end hike. This is an endurance hike, a Decalogy which means we will be hiking 10 mountains in one whole day. I didn’t make it because I experienced severe pain on my knee.

I like the peaks in Mascap Decalogy because I was given another beautiful clearing. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the group as well. We didn’t know each other but it was fun.

I learned from this hike to let your body heal. We only have one body, and it does not last for eternity.

We had an amazing side trip in Wawa Dam where we enjoyed the cold spring.

This hike is best for beginners but do it one at a time not the entire 10 mountains in one day.

5. Mount Pigingan (located in Itogon, Benguet) – 1,358 MASL

This mountain hiking was my preparatory hike for my Cawag Hexa revenge, an unplanned hike. I booked it as a seat sale – last minute plan.

This turned out to be an amazing hike. I was stunned with the beauty of the Cordillera Mountain range.

The peak in front of Mount Pigingan is Mount Ugo which is a mountain traversing Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet.

I was thinking that Benguet is cold, but this hike was a freaking hell. It was so hot especially when we were walking backtrail.

But this mountain was one of my favorites. Aside from a stunning and beautiful clearing, the group enjoyed the hike because of friendly souls enjoying the nature.

6. Mount Arayat (located in Arayat, Pampanga) – 1,030 MASL

This hike was my preparation for my first attempt to hike Cawag Hexa. I did little research because I live in Pampanga.

To my surprise, this mountain was very challenging. The ascents were endless.

Just imagine, I was obese when I hiked this mountain.

We were supposed to hike the Quad Peak but we didn’t complete it. I was too exhausted. I ran out of water as well.

This was when I realized the importance of bringing lots of water and do a lot of research about the mountain you are about to hike.

Too bad though! I had not taken any picture of the monkey trail because I was left behind. The group were all strong and experienced hikers.

This mountain is still in my bucket list for a revenge hike.

The clear blue sky and the beautiful rice field below the mountain is stunning. This makes me fell in love with this mountain.

7. Mount Cagua (located in Gonzaga, Cagayan)- 1,168 MASL

This hike was my most adventurous and my happiest hike ever! I was amazed at how spectacle the nature is.

This mountain is an active volcano with boiling craters, and I saw it in my naked eye!

I forgot that I travelled sixteen hours to reach these hidden gems in the North.

From caves, falls, crystal clear rivers, and rainforests, are all equally stunning!

I’m at a loss of words describing this mountain and this adventure, but I was ecstatic and blessed to have joined this adventure. Definitely, I’ll be back!

8. Cawag Hexa Peaks (Mts. Balingkilat, Birabira, Naulaw, Dayungan, Cinco Picos and Redondo) – 1,100 MASL, 570 MASL, 530 MASL, 900 MASL, 770 MASL and 610 MASL

Cawag Hexa hits differently when I talk about these mountains.

How should I say it? I’m not trying to be overly dramatic or exaggerating, but this hike has changed me.

But I should say that I am spiritually connected to these mountains. I made a promise that I will be hiking here once a year to spiritually reconnect.

If Mount Cagua gave me so much happiness, this taught me lifelong lessons committing myself to a better lifestyle and mindset.

Read my first blog about how these peaks changed me – the Infernal Peaks of Zambales (Cawag Hexa).

I recommend that you will climb these peaks listed. Most of them are easy, some are challenging but with lots of preparation and training – nothing is impossible.

We all have our means and ways how we deal with our struggles.

This is my way and the mountains helped me. As cliche as it sounds, it made things easier, and it made my burdens light.

Every peak I conquered, every trail I completed, every overwhelming boulder gave me some illumination.

Every time I climb a mountain, I don’t just think of the challenging trail and assaults, I would think on how I can overcome it, and how it relates to my life.

Healing is still in progress, for sure it would leave a scar that would constantly remind me the lessons it brought. This is why I would not stop conquering the peaks of our country.

These mountains gave me power to change, and I have the power to create and execute the change.

I think this is why Jesus wept, prayed, and cried in the mountains. I have been contemplating about this for days now how mountains are part of Jesus’ life before he died to save us all.

Remember that Jesus was also crucified in the mountain, and that saved us all!

It’s a beautiful topic to talk about but I will be ending this blog now. I am literally teary-eyed writing this blog. I hope that we get to talk about this!

See you in my next blogs ka-Ahon!