Experiencing Anawangin

It was a sight to behold. 

The view of Anawangin to the southeast and the rest of Zambales to the north from the trail summit was utterly breathtaking.  And that special hour alone on top of the mountain was carried up a notch by the long, arduous trek from Pundaquit.

It didn’t take long to plan the whole trip.  My friends and I have researched about Anawangin since early 2008.  None of us had been there prior to the weekend, but all of us had seen the enchanting pine forests of this secluded cove through photos.  We knew so much about the place and how to get there, and we felt that we had to go…soon.

The bus ride from Victory Liner’s Pasay station to San Antonio, Zambales was pretty much uneventful…all four hours and 30 minutes of it.  After a quick trip to the public market to buy our food supplies, we were off to Brgy. Pundaquit on board two tricycles. 

After having lunch, drinking a bottle of Pale Pilsen, purchasing a hammock (which was subsequently used to hold my belongings above ground), and finding our trek guides, we were off to Anawangin by foot. 

But the heat of the sun unhindered by clouds at 1pm caused for a change of plans.  Three of our my companions decided to take the boat instead, avoiding the possibility of heat stroke and high blood.

It won’t do one any justice not to be well-equipped for a hike on this kind of trail.  It pays to wear hiking shoes and use camping backpacks to carry your belongings.  The trail can be classified in four categories–smooth stones, jagged rocks,hardened mud, and their combination. 

Mang Jay-R (my namesake), being accustomed to whatever condition this trail undergoes, was wearing rubber thongs (slippers that is).  But each of his step was like ten of ours.  Two of my companions didn’t expect that it would be one ofthe hardest things they would ever do in their lives.  Bunny, at many points, even gave up and decided to stay and wait for someone to rescue her.  But with Casey’s pep talk…we were able to move on.

I decided to get ahead of the party so as to travel at my pace. 

And my pace was cumbersome.  I became more tired as I was able to push myself to my physical limits.  I could breathe properly but my leg muscles were strained from the steep climb.  I glanced to the summit once in a while, and each time the highest point of the trail seemed farther and farther.

I wanted to be there already…but I knew I had to go through aches and pains so that getting what I wanted would be even more fulfilling.  From time to time I shouted back hoping that Cas, Bunny, and Mang Jay-R were only a few meters behind me.  But the breeze drowned out the echos.

Then at last…summit.

And I felt that I had to wait for my companions so as to have people to share that special moment with atop the trail to Anawangin.

I have both a fear of and predilection towards heights.  And the mountain only offered security and comfort–and the realization that beauty abounds in the simplicity of nature.  The view around me was stunning.  And I am lucky to have experienced that one special hour alone on top of the trail.

The climb down was a different story.

Since we already had Anawangin on sight, it seemed longer trekking down towards the destination.  And they say that going downhill is more accident prone than climbing up.  At this point, all we heard from Cas was “Ouch!”…tripping on stones here and there.

With her legs bruised and feet swollen, Cas pushed on.  Bunny on the other hand was apparently tired…but relieved that the destination was nigh.

Though we still got to hear, “Manong, malapit na ba tayo?”

At one point we saw a wild carabao (or at least its butt) hiding in the bush a few meters downhill.  Mang Jay-R, sensing danger, grabbed a rock and threw it on to the beast.

We continued on the descent upon its immediate retreat.

The forest at the foot of the mountain gives the playful mind chills upon imagination of what’s beyond sight.  But still, the dusk setting offered a spiritual beauty to the place.  The dry river bed made it easier for us to walk to our destination.

Stones placed on top of each other were placed in strategic locations along the trail so that hikers know that they’re on the right track.  But sometimes the darkness does not offer relief.  Hence the importance of hiring a guide especially if it’s your first time to hike on this trail.

If you can read your environment, it’s pretty certain that you won’t get lost because you only have to go west to get to the beach.  And since it’s a cove, the mountain slopes serve as a boundary/guide.

After much zigzagging on different terrains (sand, dry river beds, earth, grass), we finally reach the camping site, separated by a wire mesh from the rest of mother nature. 

And I can only tell you to go to Anawangin to know what’s in store for you.

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