Mt Arayat (Traverse)
April 9 2016

6.00Am we were bound to North Again to summit one of Central Luzon's famous mountains, known for its majestic beauty she is one of the pride of central Luzon, standing at 1026masl (meters above sea level) all is set after 2weeks of planning. Joining us for this hike is my friend John dick tambo, and his team for this first major traverse we organized. we were total of 11

the trail will start at brgy Magalang which was our entry point up to north peak down to ridge line between north to south peak and back again up to south peak facing pampanga river finally down to our exit point which was brgy bano Arayat Pampanga. The entire traverse which was roughly around 11 to 12kms took us 13 hours total trek assault

2.30pm we arrived at our Jump off pt secure our Guide and we prepared for our afternoon assault on North peak, we expected to summit at Northpeak by dawn so we geared up our lights for a long tiring 12km traverse. Guiding us is kuya Larry you can contact him at (0926-67157756)

first part of the trail was flat dusty roads, well established trails and concrete ladder footsteps will be seen leading to steeper trails. The leaves and trees were dry because of the scorching summer heat, our 1st goal was to reach white rocks formation before dawn, we under estimated the mountain that's why we just brought 3 liters of water supply per person, not knowing the length of the trail it was one dry hot summer.

4.00pm we just took a break under a big mango tree, we saw fellow hikers descending from the north peak and on their way to brgy magalang which was our entry point, we continue to move at 4.30pm, until we reached the rocky part on the foot of haring bato at roughly 5.30pm, finally smooth breeze of the wind coming from the forest gave us relief, we took photos of the giant balete tree

the 2nd part was more difficult, after we pass the junction of the rock formations, steeper trails consisting of 75 degrees welcomed us on our way to haring bato, we were motivated because each one of us physically prepared for this major hike which was on a scale of difficulty is 5 out of 9, with a trail class of 1-4.



6.00pm after 3 and half hour of trekking we finally arrived in haring bato area, between the junction of the north peak and rock formations was  astonishing view of Pampanga, i estimated we were roughly 2000ft above sea level. we took pictures in haring bato area. eventually it took us 30mins to enjoy the cold summer breeze of mt arayat. We were mesmerized by the sun set, we took photos of some wonderful rock formations 20 to 30feet in height and around 10meters in diameter. My hiking buddy Gerald Kumapn took a photo of us adjacent to north peak, we can see the ridge line from haring bato area.

6,30pm we were already finish taking pictures on haring bato area and we were bond to assault the final part of the north peak trail, from haring bato to north peak it is estimated an hour or two, we departed at exactly 6.30pm. we geared up and attached our head lights and torch lights

6.35pm we continued assaulting the summit, as we ascend steeper trails and colder breeze welcomed us. roughly around 7pm total darkness engulf us, we can only hear sounds of crickets and silence of the wind, the calmness of the forest gave me peace of mind, an indescribable feeling of inner peace. i also heard indigenous birds chirping around us.


7.25pm  i was already exhasted. after more than 5 hours of nonstop trek, we decided to to take a break, other members of my team were already 5 mins ahead of us they were also resting after an hour of steep assaults. I can already feel the stress on my legs but eventually we pushed through. The summit was just 20 mins away, so we charged the final strength we have,.

7.55pm after 6 hours of solid trekking, exhausted and catching my breath we arrived at North peak which was around 3366ft above sea level, and was nick named (SINUKUAN PEAK) "peak of surrender", i removed my back pack and rest. The north peak has a well establish military detachment we were surprise because of the presence of electricity on its summit. It includes a guard house that has an aircon facility, a tv set and even a refrigerator. It is guarded by one military personnel, at the center of the army detachment there was a tower that seems like a receiving beacon of the army facility. 

8.10pm surprisingly the officer welcomed us, we camped at the southern most part of the north peak there was also a mini cottage facility half of our team was busy pitching the tent the other half was busy cooking for dinner, we were all hungry. some of us wanted to sleep and we were just 40% of our traverse expedition. We took an early dinner and by 9.00P.m lights off we were 3 tents.

 4.45Am my alarm woke me up, my tent buddy Daryl Aquino was also awake that time. it was a cold and peaceful morning, and soon it will be the toughest day on my summer hikes, i opened the tent and i saw the dawn soaring at the sky. that was the most beautiful sunrise i have seen so far this year, i realized that there are things money cannot buy, and to feel so alive is one of the most wonderful feeling, kudos to this photo. 

we took selfie's and pictures on sinukuan peak, until the sun is up and shinning it was

7.00Am and the sun is shinning bright we prepared our heavy breakfast, following our morning assault to south peak which was 2kms away from the north peak passing the White Rocks and almost 3 hours away from north peak so we ate heavy breakfast. Our journey was at 40% completion but eventually our water supply is less than half. my 3 liters yesterday was now reduced by 1 liter. and we were just 40% of the whole traverse

after we patched some things and done with our morning breakfast we pitched our tents down and repack our stuffs we took a groupie shot


8.00AM we started trekking to south peak via ridge line it was 1.5kms of forested knife edge like trail. The wind was cool some kinds of flaura and fauna can be seen, scenic view of pampanga and nueva ecija can also be viewed from some parts of the trail huge bagging and old oak trees were also present..

10.30am when we arrive at white rocks area after up and down trail and a little bit of rock climbing we have completed 60% of the ridgeline we took a break and captured the moment the view from the white rocks was exquisite from my right was the whole parts of dau and san fernando pampanga, i can also view zambales and tarlac, from my left i saw pampanga river again and some parts of nueva ecija.

White Rocks was like haring bato segment the only difference is that white rocks is the final segment of the 2-3class trail, the only way we can continue our trail was to rapel 80degrees from the top of the 20-25foot rock formation. We took time to take some selfies and photos as we could. My hiking buddy Gerald kumpan and John Rey first took the challenge with their back pack and gear they carefully descended and rappelled safely to the other side of the white rocks.

We slowly put our bags down to the other side of the white rocks and one by one my team rappelled down safely  as soon as all of my teammates have successfully descended then comes me as second to the last.









From the white rocks to the south peak was one of the steepest vertical assault we have encountered, astonishing 75 degrees to 80 degrees again challenge us on our way up to south peak. My water source was already half a liter and we were not even in the south peak yet. I started to feel the heat because of the sun it was 11.15am but thankfully there were trees on the trail so the heat we felt didn't bothered us that much.

Me, Gerald and Daryl were last of the group because we stayed much longer on the white rocks segment to take some photos and to assist some of our team members. The punishing assault we took from white rocks to south peak reminded me of Tarak Ridge. The trail was composed of steep dry narrow trail and some roots and baggings were there for support and atlast we finaly made it on top of the south peak and it was 12,00noon.

12.10pm when we arrived at south peak camping grounds my teammates were already there on the open grounds and somehow resting, Catching my breath i also took a break under the old oak tree. after 10min we left our back packs on the camping site of the south peak so that we could proceed to the view deck which was 10mins away from the camping area. 

Our exhaustion and fatigue suddenly disappeared when we finally reached the view deck of the south peak, a beautiful view of Pampanga river. We didn't spend much time on peak 2 because of the summer heat and after 10mins we were back on peak 2 campsite. We rest again and resumed our trek before 12.25pm. My water source was less than half a liter, and from the south peak to the exit point it was 3 hours away with an estimated 4-5kms in distance.

Conserving my strength we push through. saving every drop of water as we could. from the south peak we descended much faster because we felt our water won't last an hour.





The first part of the descend was still well establish forest trail,  the wind was still cool but when we arrived on the next segment of the trail have gotten much steeper descend, my legs were bit exhausted.

1.30pm we were roughly 80% of the trail, my water source was already wiped out, the sun is soaring hot in the sky plus the temperature started to bother us, we were walking roughly 5 and half hours from the north peak. and we still have 2.5km trail left to trek. our guide estimated we are still an hour away we still push through rest, trek, descend, and so on 

2.15pm everybody was exhausted i have no water luckily my friend and hiking buddy John Dick Tambo gave me and my fellow hiking buddy Gerald Kumpan a shot of the scarce water. We were saving every drop and were still thirsty, different thoughts were bothering my mind, the trail descending Mt Arayat was much longer compared to its ascend to the North Peak. A real traverse indeed. John Rey and Jovy together with our guide kuya larry was leading the way, they were 30mins ahead of us.

  It was around 2.20pm when all of our water source was wiped out. but we were still in the trail descending, now we were trekking 6 and half hours, exhausted and now no water, my  leg muscle started to cramp from non stop walking plus my back pack which was roughly 15kg added more suffering, yet still we have high hopes, we motivated each one after 10mins of walking the trail   now started to feel a bit  lighter, our moral boost as we can see we were closely approaching  brgy bano. i estimated we were still 300ft above sea level the trail was dry, the grass was golden brown and dusty, i can see signs of Kaingin on the pave road of the beautiful mountain.

 Now we were running on the trail. for 20 mins nonstop it was hell we were in the open so it was very hot i think it was 38 to 39 degrees Celsius on that hot afternoon after our last final break. we trail run again i cannot feel my legs now it was numb, but we were all motivated after 15mins finaly i can see concrete roads. it was around 100 meters away.

FINALLY! 3.10PM we were on the exit point, I was 8th to the last after Gerald kumpan and before John Dick tambo. I immediately bought my favorite mountain dew and a bottled water in less than 30 seconds i already finished it all but i am still thirsty. 5mins passed it was when Aaron and Emil Ken arrived on the same spot, Ate on the other side offered us free water with a block of ice, we secured our guides fee and the entrance fee which was 20 pesos and at last we finished one of the most difficult climbing experience this 2016 we rest for two hours and freshen up. it took us 13hours total trek conquering Mt Arayat Traverse,

by 5.00pm we were bound to san Sn fernando and by 7pm we were on our way to Manila. 

Truly every mountain has a unique beauty but one must have strength, spirit and will to climb her doorsteps before seeing it. As mountaineers saying " never under estimate the mountains you climb she can be beautiful but she can also be dangerous" we under estimated Mt Arayat but we survived, a mistake that we will never repeat again but we had wonderful experience as young amateur climbers we hope to see her back the soonest!




Arayat and Magalang, Pampanga
Entry point: Brgy. Ayala, Magalang, Pampanga
Exit point: Brgy. Juan Bano, Arayat, Pampanga
LLA: 15.2067N, 120.7441E, 1030 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 5 hours (NP) 8 hours (SP)
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 1-4 (10-11kms)
Features: Tropical forest, scenic views of Central Luzon

source pinoymountaineer2016