MT. IRID

Mt. Irid - Sta. Ines, Tanay, Rizal

MT.Irid - 1,467+ MASL
Difficulty Level : 6/9
Specs : Major Climb
Trail Class - 1-4
Day Hike : 5 - 8 Hours
Date of 1st Climbed : February 7, 2016
Date of Revenge Climbed : April 17, 2016
2nd climb is the Team Bakal's - Day of Valor Hike
"Outreach Program at Sitio Kinabuan"

Mt.Irid is one of the highest mountain and forested area (Rain forest) in Luzon located at Tanay,Rizal.
A highly recommended mountain to climb because of it's challenging trail that will surely put butterflies on your stomach, 11 river crossing with matching Leeches (Limatik) and bloodsuckers as a bonus.

  This plentiful mountain has scenic and/or breath-taking views of Sierra Madre, you'll also encounter Pitcher plants, berries and etc.along the trail. A very rich forest with amazing wildlife and rock formations. In addition, you can also visit Kinabuan Falls as a side-trip, a refreshing dip after a long way to Mt.Irid.


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OUR ITINERARY


We left Jollibee farmers 2:15 am, rode a jeepney going to Cogeo gate 2 (Antipolo). We arrived almost 3am then rode the jeepney that we rented for an hour and a half experiencing rough, bumpy, river crossings and consecutively muddy rode. That explains why the jeepney has this Dump track look tires.

We arrived 4:30 am in Barangay Sta.Ines - registered and hire Tour Guides from the Barangay. Guide fee is P700.00 for 8 Hours. We came in early, so we took our breakfast in a small eatery at the front of the Barangay Hall and at exactly 6:00 am from Barangay Sta.Ines we started walking going to Sitio Kinabuan.

Team Irid - A way to Mt.Irid

from Barangay Sta.Ines we crossed 11 rivers with clear running water, walked in a ranch like views  with big trees, tall grass, rocky and muddy road with leeches and bloodsuckers.

An actual encounter with Leeches (Limatik)

There are also stores and water source in two sitio's (Villages) comfort room (CR) is also accessible near the 1st camp site so you won't have to worry when your stomach given to tantrums.

This is how the first camp site looks like.

First Camp Site - A way to Mt.Irid

At 8:30 am we reached Sitio Sadlak which is the Jump-off meaning, the 8 hours trek will start here. We had a long rest in this shed while waiting for the others. There's a store in-front with fresh and a bit cold air, and in our back is a perfect view of mountains near the location.

Sitio Sadlak (Jump-off) - A way to Mt.Irid

Our first stop from the jump-off is on the 2nd camp site, where in, there are berries along the way. The mountain is still preserved and had this rich woodland. We also don't forget to take a groupie pic for souvenir.

Second Camp Site - A way to Mt.Irid

At 10 am we reached a gigantic rock formation and this is the local’s landmark going to Mt. Irid’s peak. We're under the impression that we are to close to the peak, then the guide told us that there are 3 rock landmarks that we need to go through and this is just the first one.

1 of 3 Huge Rock Landmarks - A way to Mt.Irid

"Everyone’s tongue is rolling down because of the steep, muddy, assault trail and heavy bagpacks that were carrying then suddenly, we were all surprised by this plant along with the mossy trail. "

Pitcher Plant - © Juditha (A way to Mt.Irid)

Pitcher plants - are several different carnivorous plants which have modified leaves known as pitfall traps

a prey-trapping mechanism featuring a deep cavity filled with digestive fluid liquid. The traps of what we consider to be "true" pitcher plants are created from modified leaves; however they are not simply folded into a tube, and the process is far more complicated.

- © Wikipedia      

Philippine Rafflesia - taken on our Revenge Climb

This photo was taken on our revenge climb
(April 17,2016)

Rafflesia - is a genus of parasitic flowering plants. It contains approximately 28 species (including four incompletely characterized species as recognized by Willem Meijer in 1997), all found in southeastern Asia, in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.

- © Wikipedia    

at exactly 11:30 am we reached the Mt. Irid's peak and it was cloudy/foggy (No clearing). The mountains peak is covered with fog that result's to almost restricted visibility.

We had our lunch beside a huge rock that obstructs the freezing cold air and we only stayed here for an hour to avoid additional fees that's why we make the most out of every second to take pictures, to bond and to come up with the nature. Seems like were at Heaven lol.

At Mt.Irid's Peak (No clearing)

Going back to the Jump-off trail is a lot easier since it's just a "Back trail" meaning you'll pass thru the same trail/way you've been, before reaching it's peak. We assembled at the second camp site and afterwards we went back to the 1st camp site.








We had a short argument if we would go to the Kinabuan Falls for a side-trip and most of our co-climbers disagree because it's almost sunset. But of course since Waterfalls seeker, I ask some of my new found friends to convince everyone to visit the falls since were already here, might as well take the opportunity, until everyone joined us! lol

You may also click KINABUAN FALLS for more details about our amazing experience with the waterfalls.

After a refreshing dip at Kinabuan Falls we walked back to Sta.Ines Barangay hall. Tour Guide's offered us to have our dinner and sh ower while waiting for the others before going back to the barangay hall. We signed the same attendance sheet and indicate the time we went back to Sta.Ines Barangay hall (log-out time) and we paid additional P50.00 per hour per head for the succeeding hours for the usual 8 hour Day hike.

Who'm they called "Hepe" (not sure if he is the Barangay Captain) asking us to pay for almost double the price on our total fee for the Tour Guide's. We knew that 5 person is equivalent to 1 Guide. Since we're 22 we need 4 or 5 guide's. But they only gave us 3 Guide's good for 22 hikers and yet he is asking us to pay this unreasonable amount. Our bill become a bit expensive until the "Hepe" said "O'cge. Tandaan nyo yang mga yan at hindi na sila makakaulit" and that made us a bit disappointed. Anyway, It's a lesson learned from us and a heads-up for you. All in all, we still had fun and amazing experience in Mt.Irid and Kinabuan Falls.

END OF ITINERARY

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"Take only pictures leave nothing but footprints and
don't change the mountain, let the mountain change you"

HOW TO GET HERE?

If you wanna be here, lemme help you!

OUR ITINERARY : February 7 2016 (1st Climb)

• 0300 Manila to Antipolo (Cogeo Gate 2)*
• 0400 Jeep from Antipolo to Brgy. Sta. Ines
• 0530 ETA Sta. Ines. Registration, secure guides.
• 0630 Start trekking
• 0800 ETA Sitio Kinabuan
• 0900 ETA Sitio Sadlac
• 1000 First rock formation
• 1100 Second rock formation
• 1200 ETA summit of Mt. Irid. Lunch.
• 1300 Start descent
• 1400 Back at Sitio Sadlac
• 1500 Sidetrip: Kinabuan Falls
• 1600 Head back to Brgy.Sta. Ines
• 1730 Back at Brgy. Sta Ines. Tidy up.
• 1800 Head back to Manila
• 2030 ETA Manila

FEW REMINDERS:

• Heavy backpack would also be added to your burden so bring light pack going to the peak
• Beware of Leeches (Limatik) and bloodsuckers - bring alcohol or rock salt as your cure
• Bring gloves to protect your hands from sharp stone edges and spills
• Clarify all the fees and charges before the climb
• Bring additional cash
• and most importantly : TAKE ONLY PICTURES, LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS!

THINGS TO BRING:

• Gloves
• Slippers
• Headlight/lamp
• Trash bag
• Mess kit
• Personal medication
• Toiletries
• Extra clothes
• Jacket
• Poncho/rain coat
• Cap/bonnet/bandana
• Trail food
• Packed lunch
• Bottled water/Bladder (atleast 2 litres)
• Extra money
• Camera
• Powerbank
• Extra batteries

FOR D.I.Y. (ONE WAY)

• from Jollibee Farmers - ride a jeepney going to Cogeo gate 2 (Antipolo) : Php 24.00/person
• from Cogeo gate 2 (Antipolo) go to Barangay Sta.Ines and start the climb

NOTE : There are 2 ways on how to get to Sta.Ines from Cogeo gate 2.

• you can rent a jeepney Php 8,000 or,
• hire a tricycle for 400php.

FEES:

• P700.00 - Tour Guide (for every 5 persons) good for 8 Hour Day Hike
• P50.00 - additional fee per hour per head for exceeding hours

Directions via Google Map - Click here.

via Google Map - Jollibee Farmer's Plaza to Mt.Irid