Twin Hike: Mt. Susong Dalaga + Mt. Lagyo

Mountains: Mt. Susong Dalaga (325+ masl)

Mt. Lagyo (396+ masl)

Location: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal

April 8, 2018

The two mountains are part of the Version 2 of another trilogy, excluding Mt. Parawagan, in Brgy. Sitio Wawa; whereas Mt. Hapunang Banoi, Mt. Pamintinan and Mt. Binacayan are the Version 1. But that’s another story. This is my 16th hike and the mountains stated are my 19th and 20th mountain, respectively.

Mt. Susong Dalaga

Our group decided to meet at the jump-off where our guide met us. We started hiking around 4:30am towards our first mountain, Mt. Susong Dalaga. At first, we encountered a cemented road with houses spaces apart. I think, it was still part of the residential area of the barangay. There was even an evidence that a subdivision was going to be built because the road was already finished. Our guide told us that the residents near the barangay will be relocated to the said subdivision.

After a few minutes, we saw where the road ended and the trail to the forest started. Being a mountain less traveled by, the trail was hard to notice because there were no clear indication whether it was a trail or not, really. Sometimes, there were numerous trail, three at most, so it was really confusing. Jay, my boyfriend, and I were at the front of our group so we always ask the guide where to go. For the information of the reader, our guide, Kuya Tangkad as we call him, became our friend because this is the third time he was guiding us so he was used to us being at the front.

The trail was slightly ascending as we go by. There were even rocks to be climbed and a river to be crossed. But there was no big amount of water as it was already summer so there will be no problem with river crossing. After sometime, we have seen burned trees and grasses on the trail and that’s where the view of the summit to Mt. Susong Dalaga can be seen. Mt. Susong Dalaga was indeed shaped just like the name implied and can be clearly seen from afar. Thus, the start of the assault.

We arrived around 6:00am at the summit and had a chance to see the sun rising between the mountains. There is giant hole at the summit which can fit up to three persons. We called it the ‘inverted nipple’. LOL. We have encounted no one, no single soul, all throughout our hike to the summit. Mt. Lagyo and Mt. Binacayan can also be seen at the summit of Mt. Susong Dalaga.

At the Summit of Mt. Susong Dalaga

Mt. Lagyo

After 30 minutes of rest and pictures had been taken, we started our hike towards Mt. Lagyo. It was such a long walk before we encountered the rock formations that led us to the summit. The rock climbing at Mt. Lagyo was just like the rock climbing at Mt. Pamintinan and Mt. Binacayan, nothing new there. The rocks were huge indeed and they were really sharp so we used our gloves to protect our hands. Even the rock formations has been confusing because there was no clear indication as to where we should go. There were even branches of trees along the way.

After the arduous climb, we reached the famous part where the hikers have their pictures to be taken for their death-defying poses. And I did mine, too!

Jay and I, together with Kuya Tangkad, were the only persons in our group to pursue the summit of Mt. Lagyo. The rock climbing was a lot harder than below and there were even gaps that can result to one’s death with just one wrong move. Really. I’m serious. But the 360° view at the summit was so mesmerizing.

Around 8:30am, we started our descent. This was the only time we have encounted fellow hikers coming from Mt. Parawagan. There was another round of rock climbing, but down. How do I say rock climbing when I was going down? Things to ponder. LOL. Anyways, instead of going back to where we had been, we traversed so the way was not the same and the rocks were different but have the same danger. It was a long way down and can be tiring indeed. The rocks had been cursed by our group so many times because of the hardship we were feeling. LOL. After an hour and a half, we reached a kubo where we rested after a heavy climb down the rocks and encountered some hikers.

And the start of a long journey to the jump-off. The road looks like it was going to be cemented soon and it was a slow descent. We even started running because walking seemed more tiring and more force were needed to be controlled so we would not tumble-down. But be careful with running, of course. We reached the jump-off around 11:30am.

How to get there:

From Cubao:

• Ride a UV/FX going to Montalban – P50.00
• Get off at Montalban (Landmark: Mini Stop)
• Ride a green tricycle and ask the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Wawa – P15.00/person or P60.00/ride

From Litex:

• Ride a jeepney going to Montalban – P20.00 – P30.00
• Get off at Montalban
• Ride a green tricycle and ask the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Wawa – P15.00/person or P60.00/ride

Other Expenses:

Guide Fee – P800.00/mountain (up to 5 persons)

Registration Fee – P50.00

Note:

If your group decided to do a DIY climb, you can contact Kuya Tangkad, Armando is his real name, at 09306428279. He is good at taking pictures, too!

See you next climb!