Mt. Nagpatong DIY Hike January 2020

Mt. Nagpatong DIY Hike January 2020

Mt. Nagpatong Details

Location: Tanay, Rizal
Trailhead: Brgy. Cayumbay, Tanay, Rizal
LLA: 14° 35’39.81”N, 121°19”47. 22”E, 560 MASL
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 1-5
Features: Scenic views of the Sierra Madre, Limestones

Introduction

Hi guys, it’s me again and I am going to share with you my 20th mountain, and that is Mt. Nagpatong 😊 My friend, Yam and I decided to hike last January so it’s our first-ever Mountain to climb this 2020.

Mt. Nagpatong had been in my bucket list. I was so excited when I finally got the chance to hike the mountain, enjoyed the serenity on top of it and be in awe of God’s majestic creation.

Why is it called Mt.’Nagpatong’?

Mt. Nagpatong are twin towers made of piled up flat limestones. The mountain got its name from the Tagalog word “Nagpatong” means “stacked up”. Taking photos on the top would be one of your best souvenirs!

Mt. Nagpatong is one of the mountains of Sierra Madre in Tanay area. You may also visit Mt. Batolusong post here.

Preparing for the Trip

Ideal clothes to wear for Hiking

• Wear loose and breathable clothes ( I recommend nylon and polyester)
• Hat, bandana and arm sleeves to protect your face and skin from the sun
• Bring gloves for rocks with sharp edges (there are gloves for sale at the parking lot for P50)
• Rain poncho (disposable) in case it rains

Essential things to pack on your bag when Hiking

• Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher (Reapply every 40 minutes whenever you can)
  Bring water tumbler (instead of buying bottled water) 2-3 litre water is required
• Trail food like a jelly ace, chocolates and nuts.
• Medicine (for possible headache, stomach ache and your personal medication)
• Flashlight or headlamp (optional if night trekking involves)

Estimated Expenses

Php 600/5 pax – Tricycle Cogeo to Cuyambay
Php 45 – Jeep from Cogeo to Sampaloc, get off at Cuyambay
P100/pax – Registration Fee
Php 500 – Guide fee for 5 persons
Php 25/pax – Tricycle to Brgy. Cayumbay for registration
Php 40 or 50/pax – Habal-Habal fee from Brgy. Cayumbay to trailhead

Useful Contact Numbers in Tanay

Mayor’s Office 654-1002/655-2195 loc 230
Tourism Office 736-1059/655-1773 loc 213
MDRRM Office 0917-6088646/0947-9469490/655-5477 loc 307
Environment Office 0920-9691707/655-2441 loc 240
Municipal Health Office 654-2608/655-5537 loc 400
Tanay PNP 655-9347/655-3119 loc 409

The Trip

Before the trip, I already had planned to ask my brother to drive us to Brgy. Cayumbay. I’ve always been hiking in the mountains of Tanay, so I felt confident that driving to Brgy. Cayumbay was a piece of cake.

So I started typing the address on Waze, then followed the directions and ended up gotten lost along the way! But instead of Tanay, we ended up in Baras, it is another municipality in Rizal province. We took a wrong turn!

Moral of the story, stop being overly confident and do your research well. As well, don’t hesitate to ask locals about the place you’re going to if you are not too sure.

After my brother dropped us off at the Brgy. Hall, the friendly guides greeted us with a warm welcome. We looked for Kuya Denver and asked him to be our guide. He told us that we were the only hikers on that day.

There was a habal-habal fee of Php 40 pesos from the barangay hall to the trailhead.

DIY Itinerary

How to get to Mt. Nagpatong?

By Public Transport

04:00 AM – Meetup in Cubao
04:30 AM – Van to Cogeo Gate 2
05:30 AM – ETA Cogeo Gate 2
05:40 AM – Cogeo to Cuyambay (Ride tricycle or Jeep going to Sampaloc)
06:20 AM – ETA Cayumbay Barangay Hall (jump-off) / Registration / Guide assignment
06:30 AM – Start trekking
08:30 AM – Summit
09:00 AM – Start trekking back to jump-off
10:30 AM – ETA jump-off
11:00 AM – ETD Cubao
12:00 PM – ETA Cubao

By Car

Take the Marcos Hi-way( Sumulong Hi-way) going to Masinag. From Masinag, take the road going to Cogeo and from here take the Marikina-Infanta Highway going to Sampaloc, Tanay. It would take 34 kilometres from Cogeo to Barangay Cuyambay. The landmark is Pico de Pino Café near the entrance to the Barangay, then turn right. The road has a steep descent so drive slowly and take precaution.

The hike to Mt. Nagpatong

The trail is suitable for beginners. There are rocks that are adjoined with little space that you could go through.

During the entire trip, always practise the leave no trace principles. As a form of respect to our mother nature and the locals, never leave trash or make vandalism. As you take fond memories during the trip, take your rubbish with you as well.

The weather was just fine, not too sunny and not too gloomy. The peak was stuffed with cumulus clouds!

We’re already too exhausted to make it to Mt. Masungki so we just decided to just be still on top of the Nagpatong rock. It’s an ideal spot for our self-reflection and pictorials (Of course).

That’s it! I hope this blog made you feel more excited to visit Mt. Nagpatong with your friends or even newfound friends!

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