Mt. Talamitam: My Mother Mountain

Sitting at the top of Mt. Talamitam last Feb. 2016

It was February this year when I finally said "yes" to my friend Toni's invitation to hike a mountain. After several invitations that I declined in the past, she was able to lure me in (and it's something that I did not regret!)

I was actually scared as it is my first time to climb a mountain. Thoughts like "What will I do?", "Can I do it?", you know the usual "what if's" that you can think of when doing something you never did before. But all of these were gone when I started my journey with the mountains and then fell in love with it. :)

With my friend, Toni. :)

Mt. Talamitam is my "Mother Mountain". This is the term that mountaineers use to acknowledge the first mountain that they have climbed and reached the summit. Honestly, I joined the climb out or curiosity, to understand the enthusiasm that my other mountaineer friends have in climbing mountain and also for me to have a picture to post in my Facebook page. :) 

So to give you a little background, Mt. Talamitam is located at Nasugbu, Batangas. It is a minor climb with Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3 with steep assault. (Source: PinoyMountaineer). 

BACKGROUND (Source: PinoyMountaineer)

The same terrain of Mt. Batulao gives rise to its ‘younger sister’, Mt. Talamitam, on another side of Nasugbu, Batangas. Although it lacks the cool breezes and grand landscapes of Batulao, it is a surprisingly wondrous mountain on its own right, with verdant cogon grass during the rainy season, and a challenging, 60-degree trail before the peak.

Talamitam is a mountain that had a more glorious past. It was named after the talamitam trees that used to grow on its slopes – a reminder of the time when Talamitam had lush vegetation and untarnished ecosystems.

The trail to Talamitam is easy, taking just 1.5 to 2.5 hours to complete the trek up to the summit. However, it can be a very exhausting hike if the sun is up, because there is little tree cover.

One of the trails of Mt. Talamitam. Cool breeze and fresh air :)

This was the beginning of my journey with the mountains. The feeling can't be explained after you have reached the summit. It is hard, yes because no one can reach the top without perseverance and hard-work but on each every step you make, you realize how strong you are and what your limits are. 

Climbing mountains is not a competition; this is not a tournament of who have the longest list of mountains that he/she climbed hence, this is a space for you to enjoy and appreciate the beauty that God has given us, to care for Mother Nature and also boost the tourism in our country. Always, #PinasMuna! :) You will be able to meet people who have the same passion that you have..gain friends and learn from their experience. 

The first group that I climbed with in Talamitam :)

My advice to the new ones, it is important that we listen to those people who have more experience in the mountains than us. They will tell stories and not brag about themselves. Know what you want, climb what you want, be careful and have fun. :)