Gwatlo's Comeback Climb: Mt. Daraitan, Tinipak River and Tuntong Cave

Gwatlo's Comback Climb: Ibalik ang lakas at Sigla!

Location: Mt. Daraitan Tanay Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon

Trail Difficulty: Minor climb, 4/9

Features: Tropical Forest, limestone formations, river trek

Highlights:

• Great view at summit with other Sierra Madre mountains on the background.
• Amazing rock formations/ clean water of Tinipak River (campsite).
• Very cold water and amazing rock formations of Tuntong Cave.
• Limestone rock formations at the summit.

Gwatlo Happy Hikers Meet up at Don Bosco Church Santa Rosa, Laguna

11 km away from Brgy. Daraitan

Balsa ride

Tinipak River

Round 1. Fight!

Camp site at Tinipak River

Tuntong Cave

We started our trek at around 4:30AM. It was dark and a head light/ flash light is needed.  We had 2 local guides to trail up the summit (front and end guide). There were no store in the stop overs/ camps so bringing snacks and water is a must to avoid dehydration.  

Cloudy morning

Doing the Gwatlo pose at the summit. woohoo!

Found a green snake at the summit. Yay!

Since it was drizzling on our way down,we had a hard time because the trail is muddy and slippery. Luckily, no one was injured but 4 in our team was lost and ended up at the other part of the trail that lead them back to the barangay hall. 

Start descent

After waiting for the others to reach the camp site at Tinipak River, some of us prepared for our lunch and some went to swim and wash muddy clothes and shoes.

Itinerary:

      Day 1

     0530H: Meet up

     0600H: ETD. Head to Brgy. Daraitan Tanay, Rizal

     0700H: ETA Crossing, Cubao

     0900H: ETA. Brgy. Daraitan Tanay, Rizal (Secure Parking)

     0930H: ETA. Brgy. Hall of Daraitan (Secure guides and register)

     1000H: Start Trek

     1130H: ETA. Tinipak River (Set Camp)

     1200H: Lunch and Rest

     1300H: Explore Tuntong Cave

     1500H: Back to camp/ River swimming

     1600H: Prepare for dinner

     1800H: Dinner

     1900H: Socials (Drinking Session/Games/Kwentuhan)

     2100H: Lights off/ Sleep time

     Day 2

      

      0400H: Wake up call. Prepare for summit assault

     0430H: Start trek to summit.

     0600H: ETA summit

     0700H: Start descent going back to camp

     0800H: Back at Camp

     0830H: Prepare Breakfast

     1000H: Breakfast

     1100H: Break Camp/ Start descent

     1300H: Back at Brgy. Hall

     1400H: Head back to Laguna

     1700H: Back to Laguna

Things to Bring:

     

• Trail Water (2L)
• Camp Water (2L)
• Trail food (biscuits/candy)
• Cap
• Sleeves
• Sunblock
• Gatorade
• Headlamp
• Flashlight
• Wet wipes
• Off lotion
• Camera
• Extra clothes (Bring more for swimming)