Talamitam

When friends ask me if there is a nearby mountain they could trek up, I am at a loss to recommend one. Most of the mountains I've climbed are selected as part of training climbs, so the trails are difficult and require more preparation in terms of training and equipment, than is practical for someone who just wants to climb a mountain for a day trip.

After this past weekend though, I now have one mountain I can recommend. Mt. Talamitam can be summitted in two hours, and the effort is rewarded by a great view of the Batangas area. The jump off point is off the KM 73 marker of the national road in Tagaytay. You can park your car at a secure place (at the front yard of a gentleman whom we call Tata Nic), and then one heads towards the foot of the mountain after paying 25 pesos at the nearby community area where climbers register. After a climb all morning, and taking lots of pictures, you can reward yourself with food in Tagaytay.

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I climbed this week as part of a group are doing tune up climbs before heading to Snow Mountain in Taiwan. The group consisted of Niel and his family, his two officemates Boom and Mac, and AMCI folk Jason, Kat, Lykka, Ian and Teejay. We had a ton of fun. Next time, we will climb the relatively nearby mountain Batulao, 'coz aside from Niel and Teejay, the AMCI folk skipped climbing what was originally part of the itinerary.

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After getting into a good climb, such as the one yesterday, one starts thinking already of what else is out there to explore. It can easily become a big addiction.