Mount Makiling is moderate climb until you reach the last 1.3 kilometers heading to the summit.  It transforms as a really steep and technical trail that’s really gonna challenge your navigation skills.  It comes with a really nice journey with the rich forest reserve of Los Banos.

#TaleOfTheTrail

Mount Makiling is an enchanting place.  It’s a long trek to the top but the refreshing view of the forest will make it a sweet journey.  I was able to hike this one when I joined Nuun Dirt School, which was handled by mountaineer Coach Ige Lopez.  It was the 3rd leg and last leg of the dirt school, which also meant that, it’s the most challenging.

The Map and Elevation

The trek started at the Botanical Garden which is about 800 meters away from the starting area. The trail follows the Makiling Trail which is about 5.4 kilometers from our first pitstop at Agila Base with a total climb of 400 meters. The Makiling trail, with a moderate climb over the next 2.5 kilometers covering about 240 meters of elevation. The trail shifts to a more technical and steep trail with about 320 meters worth of climbing over the last 1.3 kilometers to the summit at kilometer 10. The trail then heads back to the starting area covering a descent of 930 meters over the next 10 kilometers.

Trekking Mount Makiling

We had our registration and briefing at around 6 am. Coach Ige gave us a few pointers on the trails and gave us a summary of the topics to be discussed. We started with an easy jog from the Botanical Garden to the Mariang Makiling Trail entry point, which is about 800 meters away. We then we’re grouped into fast, moderate and slow group.  I joined the moderate group. We started with an easy jog to warm ourselves up but after a kilometer I shifted to a fast pace walk.

It was a combination of paved and dirt roads which is shaded by the forest that surrounds it. Some areas are already being paved for the communities that surrounds the area. The first goal was to reach the Agila Base where the lecture would be held. The roads were mostly uphill but the climbs were moderate. Something that you can really run if you wanted to.

Slow down!!! That’s a good strategy as though this was a moderate climb, it was a a continuous one.  What I did was to go on a brisk walk pace without stopping and have a few sips from my hydration bag. There were stretches that I would run especially when I thought we were already nearby the Agila Base. It turns out that the Agila base was about 6 kilometers from the Botanical Garden.

The paved roads at kilometer 4 transformed into a leaner trail which is a bit stoney.When trails starts to get leaner, it becomes a lot more difficult. I shifted to a run walk set to reach the Agila Base faster and after two more kilometers, we’re finally there.

The Agila Base was overflowing with hydration, nutrition and snacks. The more important part was the lecture where we got to learn a lot about the trails. We had drills on climbing and descending. For climbs, you can go with faster but shorter strides or you can go with longer strides with support from a pole or using your arms to push your quads to aid on the stride. For descents, it’s better to go on a S path to be able to have more balance.

Another important lesson was on hydration. Anytime, you’re working out for over an hour you need to replenish your electrolytes. That’s where Nuun comes into play. Then comes the part on nutrition, wherein you better set alarms on when to eat, take gels or sip water because sometimes you lose track of time on the trail. Nutrition on trails is by feel. The goal is never to feel hungry but not to be bloated so you’ll have to play around with a comfortable mix with this one.

We also got to discuss the proper use of trekking poles, which is supposed to be used to propel yourself forward. We also got to the part on training for trail races where it’s important to be aware of the elevation profile. Unlike road races where you build on the distance, trail and mountain races would entail you to build on elevation.

The next part was the harder part of the climb.  The wide trails shifts to single track trail with a combination of muddy, rocky, and dirt surfaces. The next 2.5 kilometers were tolerable though it was a straight and moderate climb. This was the part which can be run or jogged. I went at this stretch on a combination of run, jog and power walk. I was reserving my energy for the steeper part of the trail. I was also on the look out for leeches as they are common in this area but thankfully, I didn’t encounter them here.

After the climb for the last 2.5 kilometers, the trail shifts to the more technical part. The trails gets muddy. The elevation becomes a lot steeper. The steps are not defined and need you be on all fours at times. It was managing the trail a few steps at a time. I think this was about station 20 or 22 and the peak was in station 30. It’s among the most technical trails I have encountered.  It was a really total body work out from here on. I had to rely on even the tiniest twig just to get balance on some areas. I had use my upper body to push my legs on the area that require longer strides. I took a few breathing breaks to rest and also check on my stinging legs.

It was the mental and strategic part of the climb. It was the time where your patience would be tested. It’s also a mental game on how to plot your steps maintaining balance and going on forward. I think I’m now more patient on stretches like this compared to a few years ago.  You can count down the stations as it’s a sign that you’re getting nearer to Station 30, which is the summit.  Each step was a lesson learned on how to adopt on different trail surfaces and conditions. The steep part also had slippery stretches so I also had to rely on the traction of my shoes and my upper body for balance.

It was nice that Coach Ige was going around during this stretch so I was able to get some pointers as well as some added motivation on the climbs. It was a slow and dragging pace but eventually there’s no such thing as forever as I’ve finally reached station 30, which is the summit.

Unlike the other mountains, the summit didn’t have an overlooking view. The charm of Mount Makiling is the journey and the rich forest reserve that keep the eyes refreshed as you navigate about 960 meters of elevation. It felt satisfying conquering your own limitations and being able to push yourself to be about 1,100 meters above sea level. I took my energy gel and went on to proceed downhill.

Going downhill is equally difficult on technical trails. I got this lesson from Coach Ige on treating technical trail like a chess game wherein you plan your next few steps at a time. It’s also important to use the three point system so either there are two feet on the ground with one hand used for balance or two hands for balance and one foot moving forward. Using that concept, I had an easier time on the descent and also was more comfortable on the tough part. Luckily, I didn’t slide or fall on the descent.

I went on to speed up after the area after the technical trails since I wanted to go for another round of hydration and found a store where I bought some thirst-quenching soft drinks.   I really learned a lot from the dirt camp and went on the rest of the downhill on a relax paced until reaching the trail exit.