THELOSTOPPA

“You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: what is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen.” – René Daumal

I always wanted to go for a hike but no one tries to invite me until my sister did. Unhesitatingly I joined to their hike of Mt. 387 at Brgy. Puncan, Caranglan, Nueva Ecija headed by J Flores for 850 pesos mandatory fee all in.

The name Mt. 387 was given to Batong Amats (Ghost Rock) because the area covers about 387.9 hectares. The Kalinga sa Kalikasan ng Puncan adopted the mountain. They entered into a memorandum of agreement with the DENR in order to protect and preserve the mountain. They opened it to mountaineers last January 2017. It was considered as the chocolate hills of the north.

Mountain Status
Name of Mountain: Mount 387
Location: Puncan, Caranglan, Nueva Ecija
Entry point: Mr. Roy Manuzon Residence
Entry point coordinates: LAT 15.90506 LONG 120.99212
Summit Coordinates: LAT 15.89990 LONG 120.97460
Elevation: 724 MASL
Hours to Summit: 3 Hours
Specs: Minor Climb, Trail Class 1
Difficulty Level: Backtrail (2/9); Traverse (4/9)
Phone Signal: +++
Sample Itinerary from Cubao

10:00 PM: MEET UP @CUBAO

11:00 PM : ETD TO NUEVA ECIJA

03:00 AM: ETA TO BRGY. PUNCAN, CARRANGLAN NUEVA ECIJA (LANDMARK INC CHURCH)

04:00 AM: START ASCEND

05:30 AM: VIEW DECK

07:00 AM: ETA SUMMIT

08:30 AM: LOVERS TREE

09:00 AM: START DESCEND

10:30 AM: PACKED LUNCH

11:30AM : START TRECK ALOHA FALLS

12:30 PM: ETA ALOHA FALLS

02:00 PM: ETD ALOHA FALLS

03:00 PM: BACK OFF JUMP OFF

04:00PM : ETD NUEVA ECIJA TO MANILA

08:00 PM: ETA CUBAO

Sample Itinerary from Tarlac

12:00AM : MEET UP METRO TARLAC

12:30AM : ETD TO NUEVA ECIJA
03:00 AM: ETA TO BRGY. PUNCAN, CARRANGLAN NUEVA ECIJA (LANDMARK INC CHURCH)
04:00 AM: START ASCEND
05:30 AM: VIEW DECK
07:00 AM: ETA SUMMIT
08:30 AM: LOVERS TREE
09:00 AM: START DESCEND
10:30 AM: PACKED LUNCH
11:30AM : START TRECK ALOHA FALLS
12:30 PM: ETA ALOHA FALLS
02:00 PM: ETD ALOHA FALLS
03:00 PM: BACK OFF JUMP OFF
04:00PM : ETD NUEVA ECIJA TO TARLAC
06:00 PM: ETA TARLAC
Things to bring

✔️HEADLAMPS

✔️EXTRA CLOTHES

✔️SHOES/SLIPPERS/SANDALS

✔️TRAIL FOOD

✔️WATER (2 liters of water is recommended)

✔️CAMERA

✔️POWER BANK

✔️EXTRA MONEY

✔️EMERGENCY PONCHO

✔️PERSONAL TOILETRIES

✔️PERSONAL MED KIT

✔️SUNBLOCK/REPELLANT

Trail To Summit

At exactly 3 AM we have arrived at the jump-off site. Upon arrival at the jump-off site, registration is required and a short history and orientation will be given by Mr. Roy. We are asked to bring 1 bottle of water per person to water the trees that the old hikers planted in the mountain. Our trail guide was Kuya Rodrigo and Joseph. Before we start the trail we had a group prayer and an introduction to each other about who are we and what is our mother mountain. We start to ascend at 4 AM as planned.

JUMP OFF POINT (MR. ROY ON THE LEFT PHOTO)

The View Deck, Summit & The Lovers Tree

We were just in time to watch the sunrise behind the mountains when we reach the summit. The ascent was kinda challenging but fun. The view of the mountain range was truly awesome and worth the climb. Here are some of our photos at the summit and view deck.

After reaching the summit we went to this tree called "Lover's Tree".

This tree is the only pine tree on the summit. They believe that whoever climbs the tree will find their love. After the photo ops at the lover's tree, we stayed and rest under the pine trees near the lover's tree.

While everyone is relaxing in this area I remembered the movie Bird Box because of its location so I quickly asked my sister to take me a photo like I'm at the Bird Box movie and here's how it end up.

The trail to Aloha Falls
After an hour of stay under the pine trees, we begin our adventure to Aloha falls. This was the most challenging and fun part of trekking. You need to climb, rappel, and/or slide before you reach the Aloha Falls.

After a long stay at the falls, we continue the trekking until we reached the waiting area where the truck would take us to the jump-off point. Riding on a truck feels like a roller coaster ride.

As we reached the jump-off point. We had our boodle fight.

Steep trails, rolling slopes, and never-ending inclined terrains, everything was worth the climb. I am ready for my next adventure.

NOTE!!
*Hike at your own risk
*Itinerary is just a basis and not absolute or will not be 100% perfect due to many factors such as weather condition, participants pacing, traffic, etc.

REMINDER!!!
*Kill nothing but time
*Take nothing but pictures
*Leave nothing but footprints.

FIRST LOCATION: SIMALA CHURCH

Planning a day trip to La Union but you are having a hard time doing a DIY itinerary for a day trip? This blog might help you. Listed below are the places at La Union that we visited the whole day trip.

_________________________________________________________________________

OUR ITINERARY

0230AM ETD TARLAC

0600AM ETA LAUNION

0600AM - 0700AM MANGUERRA GRAPES FARM

0700AM - 0800AM PORO POINT BAYWALK

0800AM - 0900AM MACHO TEMPLE

1000AM - 1100AM STONE HAND / BAHAY NA BATO

1100AM - 1200PM LUNA RUINS

1200PM - 0700PM URBIZTONDO SURFING AREA

0700PM ETD LA UNION

1100PM ETA TARLAC

_________________________________________________________________________________

MANGUERRA GRAPE FARM

Experience grapes picking (seasonal) at Manguerra Grapes Farm. It is located at Urayong, Bauang, La Union. Sadly, grapes are just starting to ripe when we visited the farm but we enjoyed taking pictures of the grapes farm.

Note: NO ENTRANCE FEE

PORO POINT BAYWALK

Stroll, walk or jog at Poro Point Baywalk. It is located at Poro Point Baywalk, San Fernando City La Union after Thunderbird Resort. The place is so refreshing that will warm your soul and recharges your mind. Good for soul searching or if you just want to be alone. You get the nice view of the central San Fernando. We ate our breakfast here.

Note: NO ENTRANCE FEE

MA-CHO TEMPLE

Say a prayer in Taoist way at Taoist Temple named Ma-Cho Temple. It is located at Ma-Cho Temple Driveway, Quezon Avenue, San Fernando, La Union. This place is very lovely and serene. #Instagram worthy.

Note: NO ENTRANCE FEE

STONE HANDS ART GALLERY BY MR. KIM

Appreciate stone art gallery at Stone Hands.Located at Balaoan-Luna Rd., Nalvo Norte, Luna, La Union. In front of this art gallery is the Bahay na bato. We are supposed to go to the Bahay na bato but unluckily it was closed when we visited so we stayed at the stone hands and other than stone hands and bahay na bato you can also enjoy the view of the beach I don't know what they call it but it was full of pebbles. Maybe it is an extension of pebble beach.

Note: ENTRANCE FEE: P20.00

LUNA RUINS

Visit the historical landmark at Luna, the Luna Ruins and put love locks with your loved ones. It is located at Barangay Victoria, Luna, La Union. The ruins was restored already and great for photo ops. You can also enjoy the view of pebble beach.

Note: NO ENTRANCE FEE

*SIDE TRIP

MAN MADE FOREST

We had stopped at this place called the man-made forest. It is actually just a street in the middle of the forest.When you are leaving the Luna Ruins you will see this man-made forest. #Instagram worthy

URBIZTONDO SURFING AREA

Surf, Party, or Chill at Urbiztondo Surfing Area located at 2500 MacArthur Highway, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union, 2514, Philippines. We ate lunch at San Juan Surf and chill after at Flotsam and Jetsam. We met a lot of artists here.

SAN JUAN SURF

The menu here is expensive but reasonable. The place was nice but kinda crowded or maybe because we visit the resort on a weekend that's why it's crowded.

*Note: NO ENTRANCE FEE

NOT ENOUGH OUTLETS

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM

I love the vibes in flotsam it makes me want to stay here longer.The Yard area is perfect and could pass as the most chill place around the area.

*Note: NO ENTRANCE FEE

Our trip was a blast. I didn't expect that the place was beyond perfection. I met a lot of new friends because of this trip. #VLOGSQUAD Thank you to our tour coordinator ( Donna ) who makes this trip possible. You can never go wrong with La Union!!

If you want a day tour that is full of adventures, the gem in Mariveles, Bataan named " Five Fingers"(because of the series of coves looked like five fingers spread out) is one of the best options for you.

OUR ITINERARY

01:30AM ETD Tarlac

05:30AM - 06:00AM Sisiman Bay & Sisiman Light House / Breakfast

06:00AM - 06:30AM To Porto

06:30AM - 01:00PM Cove to Cove / Five Fingers

01:00PM - 05:00PM Laki Beach / Lunch

06:00PM - 10:00PM ETD Mariveles, Bataan

EXPENSES

P1300

INCLUSIONS: Toyota Hiace Commuter, Driver Fee, Gas / Toll fees, Breakfast, Lunch, Tour Guide Fee, Boat Fee, Cove to Cove Tour, Entrance Fee at Laki Beach.

*Note: If you are near Tarlac and you're looking for a tour coordinator, you can message our tour coordinator, Ms. Donna at her Facebook or her Instagram *

WELCOME TO THE BATANES OF THE WEST!

It was Saturday, January 27 at 2:00 AM (but our call time is 1:00 AM) when we leave Tarlac City and reached our first destination at 4:00 AM. We are too early so some take naps and others stroll around the area while waiting for sunrise.

After Sisiman, we went to Mariveles Market to buy some food and stuff we needed in our trip.

And went to Porto after.

Safety First

And the Island Hopping begins.

NAGBAYOG COVE

Dare to fall in love with this cove because of its clear turquoise water, mind-blowing rock formations and bats flying freely around the cave.

APATOT COVE

Lovin its chocolatey color rock formation

TINANLAKAN COVE

This is one of the highlights of our trip. Jumping at the 40ft cliff and this is where my action cam falls after I jumped but thanks to our tour guide for rescuing my action cam. LOL

NAGBINTANA COVE

They call this rock formation as "The Sleeping Giant"

There's plenty of sea urchin in the area

Jaw dropping Rock Formations. Sleep well Giant! For our Last stop:

LAKI BEACH

Laki Beach is also known as "The Mini Boracay of Bataan". It really looks like Boracay, the white sand, the beach and the coconut trees, very similar to Boracay. The Beach looks clean as a whole but un"LAKI"ly when you walk around you will see that there's a lot garbages around the beach.

NOTES/TIPS/TRAVEL GUIDE

*There's no cellular signal, electricity, and cottage on the beach.

*Limited Comfort Room and Wash Room.

*Bring enough food and water

*Bring tent/hammock/picnic mats because there's no cottage at the beach

*Beach entrance fee is 200 pesos

*Showering at Laki Beach is not a good idea, shower when you reach the Porto.

We ate lunch(boodle fight) and stayed at the beach until 5:30PM.

We ride to the boat from Laki Beach to Porto. We had struggled a lot with the unpredictable big waves showering us and end up going home with a t-shirt and boxer shorts because everything is wet. 'Twas a great adventure Bataan!