Trekking the Enervating Trail of Mount “Gulugod Baboy”

“In English, Gulugod Baboy directly translates to pig spine. So called perhaps because of its contour? It has a spectacular 360 degree view of Anilao, Batangas Pier, Maricaban Island, Mt. Maculot, even Mindoro, Mt. Lobo and Mt. Manabo” www.waypoints.ph.

“Gulugod-Baboy is the general term that describes the hills that traverse Calumpan Peninsula. Located in Southern Batangas, the peninsula is more known for the diving resorts of Anilao –- the birthplace of Philippine scuba diving. Since dive enthusiasts are also enthusiasts for anything ‘outdoor’, they began exploring the hills, and soon, Gulugod Baboy became a hiking destination on its right, although today it remains a popular sidetrip to a diving escapade to Anilao, or to the nearby Sombrero or Maricaban islands.

There is confusion regarding where the real Gulugod-Baboy is. From SE to NW (from Brgy. San Teodoro to Brgy. Laurel), there are three peaks in the range. The first is 470 MASL, the second is 485 MASL, and the third is 525 MASL. This third has a large, ancient tree as its landmark, and is known to mountaineers as the real Gulugod Baboy. However, locals say that this third peak is actually Mt. Pinagbanderahan, and the first peak is the Gulugod Baboy. Fans of Long Henson, father of itineraries, would remember that he wrote about a Mt. Pinagbanderahan in Mabini, Quezon. This may actually refer to Mabini, Batangas, and is actually one and the same as the Gulugod-Baboy we know. Thus, there are three peaks, from SE to NW: Gulugod-Baboy, Gitna, and Pinagbanderahan” pinoymountaineer.com.

Notes

1. This climb corrected my misconception about the word beachineering.

When I first read the content of pinoymountaineer’s Glossary of Philippine Mountaineering Terms, what I understood about the word beachineering was that going on a hike and swim after summiting or swimming and then climb. Just before drafting this post, I reread what’s on the said Glossary for the subject word just to confirm that it means climbing and swimming or vice versa. I found out that I was wrong.

Beachineering simply means hitting the beach but often used in the context of a group of mountaineers going on a beachtrip INSTEAD of climbing. Sigh! Good thing I checked on the meaning again or else I would be misleading readers with the “supposed” title (Beachineering at The Pig’s Spine and Anilao Beach) of this blog.

2. This climb paved the way for me and Master Paul to reunite with Rhovee The Great that’s why it was dubbed as Reunion of the Masters (“daw”) according to the newer group of mountaineers who joined us on that day hike. The fact is, the real masters are Paul and Rhovee only based on my criteria.

(The peak that looks like the pig’s spine.)

3. The summit of the mountain is marked by cow dungs although the photo below showed just a dung.

4. The mountain’s elevation is only 525+ MASL and one will likely conclude that it’s an easy climb. However, the steep and lengthy trail especially on the ascent was enervating enough to discourage future visitors of this mountain into such assumption.

“Photo of the Climb”

5. This is the first time I’ve experienced swimming (at Anilao Beach) after a climb.

6. This is the first time I “battled” in a boodle fight where every piece of the food was consumed despite the flies’ spits on it. H’m.

7. The spell of wet weather along with rain showers up the summit is always refreshing just like the freezing waters of the beach.

Mount Gulugod Baboy is my ninth conquered mountain (19 December 2010).

For more information (how to get to the place, climbing notes, trivia, more stories, etc.), click this website: pinoymountaineer.com.

Photo Sources (PS): GE X5 and (some photos from) Master Paul Basco.

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