Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mount Halcon
Check W pinoymountaineer.com for up-to-date information • Expect to pay P2000 per person (in a group), including permit, guide fees
but excluding food and water, plus P50 for entry to the trail
Rugged Mount Halcon rears up dramatically from the coastal plain of Mindoro
Oriental, 28km southwest of Calapan. At an altitude of 2586m, it's Mindoro's highest
peak, and surrounded by some of the most extensive tracts of rainforest on the island.
Conquering the summit is a major target of mountaineers from all over the globe,
though since 2006 the trails have been o cially closed. In 2013 hikes uno cially
resumed, with the blessing of the local Mangyan community, though the situation
remains confusing, and don't even think about climbing Mount Halcon on your own
- hire a Mangyan guide at Bayanan.
Unusually for the Philippines, Halcon is not of volcanic origin, created instead
by a massive geological uplifting millions of years ago. The total climb - Dulangan
and Halcon combined - is longer than that to the summit of Mount Everest from
Base Camp; allow four to five days for the ascent and descent. There are many
obstacles, not the least of which is the sheer volume of rain that falls on the
mountain. here is no distinct dry season here and heavy rain is virtually a daily
occurrence, resulting in an enormous fecundity of life - massive trees, dense layers
of dripping moss, orchids, ferns and pitcher plants - but also making the
environment treacherous and potentially miserable for climbers. Another irritation
is the limatik , a kind of small leech that quietly clings to your boots and skin. You'll
be sleeping on the mountain for at least three nights, so will need to bring a tent
and other equipment. Make sure you have good waterproof clothing and a
waterproof cover for your backpack.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
5
MOUNT HALCON
By jeepney and tricycle The lower slopes of Mt Halcon
are about 1hr from Calapan; take a jeepney to Baco (around
P30), where you are supposed to register at the town hall.
From Baco you'll take a tricycle (P35/person) up an unsealed
track to barangay Bayanan, where you pay P50 to the
barangay head and organize guides. You can also approach
the mountain from Puerto Galera, taking a jeepney for
Calapan and getting off at the Baco turn-off.
By minibus Chartering a van at Baco market will cost at
least P1000.
Roxas
Unless you just have a penchant for rough road driving and are planning to head across
the mountains to San José and beyond, the main reason for heading down the east
coast to ROXAS is to take the ferry to Caticlan (for Boracay) or Romblon. Roxas is a
busy town, where there's a lively market (Wed & Sun) and a few hotels and beach
resorts with long, hot stretches of grey sand 5km out by the port at Dangay - and not
much else.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE ROXAS
Ferries to Caticlan leave around the clock, so there's really little reason to stay in Roxas unless you're too late to get onwards
transport to San José or Calapan.
By bus Buses and jeepneys run north and south from
Roxas, leaving from near the market on Administration St,
and Dangay pier which is on the eastern edge of town.
Heading north to Calapan is simple enough and there are
a series of minivan depots on Magsaysay St which operate
cramped but speedy trips (3-4hr). A couple of jeepneys
journey west over the mountains to San José (2hr) every
morning, while comfy a/c Dimple Star (see p.238) buses run
to San José and north to Calapan (for Manila) twice a day.
By ferry Roxas is a key link on the Strong Nautical Highway
route to Boracay, and there are regular ferries departing for
Caticlan (4hr) from Dangay pier (P20 by tricycle from the
market). Starlite Ferries runs twice daily ( T 043 723 9965;
9pm & 11pm, returning noon & 4pm; P420) and Montenegro
Lines ( W montenegrolines.com.ph) has five daily boats
(usually 4am, 10am, 4pm, 8pm & midnight; P460).
 
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