Location Details:

From:  Baby’s Sari Store, Ayala          

To:      Same finish                                                    

Via:     Mt Arayat North Peak, White Rock                                      

Time:  4Hrs 30Mins                                Distance: 12kms                   Total Kms to Date: 3907

Hare:  Meatless                                                                     

Comments: As we approached Baby’s sari sari store, the starting point of our Mt Arayat hike, the stench of a pig farm filled our nostrils like the smoke from a charcoal fire and we almost forgot the mountain that loomed ahead of us. It wasn’t long before the aroma of pig was behind us and the warm sun was on our backs. Just when we thought the day was going to turn into a demonstration of Dante’s hell, we reached the trees and an almost cool breeze came to the rescue and the rest of the hike was comfortable-at least in terms of weather. After two kilometres we reached the DENR (Department of Environment and National Resources) office where a man insisted we pay thirty pesos each. (Obviously for buying matches and fuel to get the charcoal pits fired up. SM).  Although he didn’t  have enough official receipts for us, honest Jorge (Morphine) insisted we all pay, so we did and we were on our way. The next four kilometres was a pretty nice hike with a moderate to steep incline. At one point there was some discussion about which way is best so “Cujo” ended up taking a group on one trail and the others went on the main trail. We met up again at the saddle back. From there the trail is very steep and we used our hands and feet and anything else we could think of to get up the rocky and slippery trail. But finally the summit was reached by almost all. The view was great and we had a nice lunch before we trundled down the hill. Back down at the saddle where some of the group stayed and a few of us went to the White Rock. It is another 200 metres one way. After taking a few pictures and enjoying the view we all made our way down the mountain for a much appreciated cold beer. The total accent was 1000 metres (from 60 metres to 1037 metres) and the distance was somewhere between 12.3km and 13.4km. (difference owing to multiple GPS devices).   (Schtevie).

Off They Go

Pampanga River And Arayat Town

First To The Top

All The Ladies