Of Dogs and Mountains: Mt. Lantik, Mt. Talamitam, and Mt. Apayang

Climbing mountains is a strange interest. You go to the trouble of visiting a usually remote village, be with a stranger, trudge over miles of uneven terrain, brush your skin against unfamiliar flora, get bitten by insects, and sweat yourself all over, and that’s just half of the trek. But the satisfaction of reaching the summit and seeing majestic views trumps over all the troubles you went through. Those several minutes closer to the sky gives you a sense of relief and pride, knowing that you can conquer everything. And then the descent begins and you go through the same trial all over again until you ask yourself, why you do this in the first place.

So, we decided to do that three times in one go 😆.

Nasugbu Trilogy: Mt. Lantik, Mt. Talamitam, Mt. Apayang

I’d say it is an unexpected discovery that we can have a go at three peaks in Batangas in just a day. One of us had already summited Mt. Talamitam but an itch to climb more peaks led us to the knowledge that there is an option for a trilogy trek—Mt. Lantik, Mt. Talamitam, and Mt. Apayang. After some confirmation from Barangay Kayrilaw, we planned the trip down south. Located at the town of Nasugbu in the province of Batangas, the trilogy is situated in an area of low peaks and neighbors Mt. Batulao to the south, another popular peak in Batangas which was also our introductory climb a few years back. The three peaks are relatively low. Mt. Lantik reaches 560 meters above sea level (MASL), Mt. Talamitam is at 630 MASL, and Mt. Apayang is at 662 MASL.

Commuting to Nasugbu, Batangas

To get to Nasugbu from Manila, we started at the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to catch a bus bound straight to Nasugbu. However, we are not able to spot one (the screens show CANCELLED bus trips to Nasugbu). Thankfully, we already know that we can still go via Tagaytay and buses going there are regular. We later learn that there are Nasugbu-bound buses from Pasay. The trip to Tagaytay costs P100 per person. We dropped off at Olivarez where we were able to catch a Nasugbu bus. The ride costs P103 per person. The whole trip took about three and half hours. It was already afternoon when we reached our accommodation although we already planned to have the trek the next morning.

The Trilogy Hike

The next day, at around 5:30 in the morning, we waited along the highway in downtown Nasugbu and got on a Tagaytay bound bus. We are instructed to drop off at FGGA gasoline or at the corner going to Daang Kayrilaw but for safe measure we asked the conductor to let us know once we are there. The fare cost P42 per person. From where we dropped off, we got on a tricycle (@ P100) which took us to the registration which is near Kayrilaw Elementary School. There we are greeted by Kuya Ernie who will be our tour guide. The trail costs P500 per mountain and the environment fee is P60 per person. After registration we finally began our long awaited hike. It is now 7:50 in the morning. As usual, the trail started easy on a paved road where we passed by private lands, including one where a hotel is being constructed. A few minutes in and we are joined by an unexpected companion, a dog of Kuya Ernie’s father. He said that it is typical that the dog would join at a certain distance in the trek and that it is used to climbing up and down the mountains. Kuya Ernie told us that they didn’t give him any name, but during the trip he would beckon him with a chuchu and a whistle.

Henceforth, he shall be called Chuchu.

Mt. Lantik

Our ascent gradually began as the concrete road disappeared and the bushes started to thicken. We would at times see a horse or a cow along the way. Horses would be used to haul things up and down the mountains and cows are common livestock in Batangas. Chuchu would provide as fuzzy relief as he would demand a head pat every now and then.

It wouldn’t take us long before we began to see a view of the horizon and in a few minutes more, we came out of the thick bushes out into an open area showing us a beautiful sight of the forests below and the mountains from afar.

We reckon that we can see the mountains of Cavite, including Pico de Loro and even as far as Mt. Mariveles in Bataan. A few meters walk more and we finally arrive at the summit of our first peak, Mt. Lantik.

At the summit of Mt. Lantik. Mt. Batulao in the background

It is already 8:00 in the morning. The sun is mild and the cool breeze provides us a relief as we feast our eyes on the views of Batangas and its neighboring provinces. Southwards we can see the peaks of Mt. Batulao. To the west towers the next peak of our trilogy hike, Mt. Talamitam. Chuchu, in his might and majesty, blessed us with his company on this summit. After a quick break taking sips from our Gatorades and eating our breakfasts we started descending for the next part of the trek. We first passed by a grassy area where a few cows were grazing before we entered another patch of forest.

Mt. Talamitam

The walk through the rough terrain went on for a while until we again reached the ridge of the next peak with its tall grasses, though not as tall as the ones in Mt. Tagapo.

Some minutes later we finally reached the summit of Mt. Talamitam. There are more climbers on this peak, unsurprisingly since this is I would say the poster mountain for this range. There is a small stand that sells snacks and even halo halo to the climbers. Amazingly, Chuchu still managed to accompany us to this point.

At the summit of Mt. Talamitam. Mt. Apayang and a good boy behind us.

With Mt. Talamitam at the center of this trilogy hike, it offers a good view of its sister peaks as well as a lot more views of Batangas. But it is not just views that Mt. Talamitan abounds with.

Eating snacks attracts the attention of a few more dogs on the summit, which I assume is a company of the store proprietor. Thankfully, they are tame and would just like a nibble or two from whatever munchies that you brought along with you. We took a few more pictures before starting the trek to the next and final peak.

Unfortunately it is at this point that it seems tiredness caught up with Chuchu as he decided to take a nap among the grasses.

Thus with a heavy heart, we continued our journey without our furry companion.

Mt. Apayang

The path to the summit of Mt. Apayang would be similar, going through thickets and tall grasses with the occasional horses and cows. At around 11:00 we finally arrived at the summit of our final peak.

There is less shade at this summit and this peak is apparently not visited much with Kuya Ernie, hacking through our way. Sun screen would be very much preferred going on to this trek. We didn’t tarry for too long on this summit with noon approaching fast. We started the long trek back going past a thick pasture where cows are grazing. Along this part we also encountered a group of teachers and students that had just finished their tree planting activity.

It is here that we took a snap of the mountains that some hours ago had allowed us to touch their heads.

It was quite a long walk and the foot pains had started to catch up with us, thus slowing our pace even more. But Kuya Ernie had been patient with us along the way. It is thus a relief when we finally see signs of paved roads and the familiar houses that we passed by earlier that day. And what’s even more relieving than that? By good chance, while stopping at one of Kuya Ernie’s properties and looking at their black pepper vines (which we saw in person for the first time), his brother passed by and guess who’s tagging along?

Wrapping Up

Thus we had a chance to get a few more head pats and properly bid Chuchu our farewell as we went back to where we started upon which Kuya Ernie’s mother graciously offered us our long overdue lunch which we humbly accepted. It was already 3:00 in the afternoon. I do recall the atcharang papaya being really good–this coming from someone who is not a fan of pickled food. We afterwards picked some souvenir magnets before finally heading back to our temporary abode back in Nasugbu proper.

Back at the jump off point together with Kuya Ernie

Looking back, our journey started with full gusto and upon conquering the three summits, filled us with pride and joy. The trek back has been arduous and we realized we still have a lot of improvements to do. But the unexpected surprises along the way–a hardy dog, the marvelous views, a filling meal–makes up for the troubles that we had and makes us look forward to the next mountains that we will climb.