Our adventure began with an early morning bus ride from Batangas, where we aimed to avoid the scorching midday heat we’d experienced during our previous hike at Nagpatong Rock. We set off three hours earlier, hoping to beat the sun. When we arrived at the usual meetup point in Cubao, I was once again struck by how vibrant the area is, even in the early hours. Despite the middle of the night, I noticed many people rushing past, as if it were the busiest time of day.

I’m relying on my memory for directions again. I read online that Mt. Espadang Bato is in Montalban, so I knew I needed to take the same UV Express we used during our hike at Mt. Pamitinan. After enjoying a cup of coffee at Jollibee, we hopped onto a van that was already filled with sleepy passengers. They were a mix of workers who had finished their day and those just starting theirs. We squeezed in among them, cramped in the limited space available, as public transport like this tends to pack in passengers to the absolute limit.

It took a while to fill all the seats, but at last, the ride began, and I took the opportunity to recharge. I don’t know about you, but rides like this make me sleepy. They give me better sleep than any I’ve had in hotels with comfy beds. After about an hour, we reached Montalban. The driver dropped us off at a different location than the usual drop-off point, which frustrated not only me but also some of the other remaining passengers. It was a disappointing way to start the day, but since we still had a mountain to hike, we decided to let it go.

We took another tricycle to the terminal for Brgy. Mascap. There, we hired another tricycle for a one-way trip that cost ₱180, which I felt was reasonable considering the distance and the condition of the road we traveled. We arrived at Brgy. Mascap at 6:30 AM, where we registered, paid the necessary fees, and hired a guide.

This is where things took an unexpected turn. We had originally planned to hike a single mountain, but Don Pepot encouraged me to opt for a twin hike to make the most of our time there. He mentioned that he hadn’t been fully satisfied with our last hike at Nagpatong Rock, as it hadn’t been challenging enough. I reluctantly agreed, even though my instincts were telling me it might not be a good idea.

Our first destination was Sipit Ulang, a relatively easy trail that took us just over two hours to complete. It was a perfect warm-up for what lay ahead. The trail to Sipit Ulang was a breeze—nothing too steep, with lush greenery and scenic views. It was exactly what we needed before tackling the more strenuous Espadang Bato.

The Hike to Espadang Bato: From River Crossings to Concrete Roads

After completing Sipit Ulang, the journey to Espadang Bato began with a mini river crossing. We crossed the stream without much issue, but soon found ourselves on a long, gradual ascent. The steep climb, combined with the intense sun, started to wear me down. Then, as if things weren’t tough enough, we stumbled upon a concrete road, which gradually inclined, making the hike even more difficult.

I never thought I’d say this, but I began to wish we were back on the muddy trails instead of this relentless incline. The concrete offered no shelter from the sun, and the path felt never-ending. Just as I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, a friendly local came to our rescue. He offered me a ride on his motorcycle, which, at that point, felt like the best gift I could have received. I gladly accepted, and it gave me a much-needed break before continuing.

Once we arrived at a small local store, we refreshed ourselves with buko juice (coconut water) and some fishballs. It was just what I needed to rehydrate and recharge. However, that moment of relief didn’t last long. We still had over a kilometer to walk through long, muddy slopes before reaching the actual Espadang Bato trailhead.

The Painful Ascent to Espadang Bato

At the trailhead, we were met with a steep and demanding ascent. It wasn’t as steep as some other mountains we’d hiked, but the combination of the hot weather, previous exertion, and the long walk to the trailhead made it feel much harder. My body just wasn’t in the mood for another uphill climb, and I couldn’t help but feel mentally drained.

I found solace in the small stretches of flat terrain between the ascents, where I could catch my breath and briefly escape the punishing slope. I also found shade under banana plants, which offered welcome relief from the sun. With each step, I reminded myself that the summit of Espadang Bato would be worth the struggle.

The Final Push: Conquering the Rock-Assisted Ascent

The most challenging part of the hike came after a series of steep, rocky sections, where ropes provided our only support. The rocks were slippery from the recent rain, making each step even more perilous. As I grasped the ropes and carefully navigated the rocks, I felt both grateful for the rain, which cooled the air, and frustrated by how it made the rocks slick and treacherous. After the rocky sections, the trail led to a flat area before ascending a wooden ladder that was also very slippery. The route to the famous Espadang Bato involved several climbs over rocks and wooden stairs, which would have been easier had it not rained.

Once we finally reached the summit of Espadang Bato, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment. The view was breathtaking, offering sweeping panoramas of Rizal and the nearby mountains, such as Binacayan and Pamitinan. Despite my fear of heights, I made sure to sit on the edge and take it all in. The view was worth every drop of sweat, although I couldn’t help but grip the wooden handle tightly, as the dizzying heights threatened to overwhelm me.

The Descent: Not as Easy as It Looks

But even with the summit behind us, our journey was far from over. The descent from Espadang Bato proved to be just as challenging as the ascent. My knees were already aching, and I had to carefully navigate the rocky trail down, with the added challenge of slippery surfaces and uneven terrain. While the summit was a reward, the hike wasn’t over until we safely made it back down.

After nearly an hour, we returned to the trailhead, where we treated ourselves to some halo-halo. I won’t go into detail about the motorcycle ride back to the barangay, which was another thrilling and nerve-wracking adventure. Let’s just say I made it back in one piece to share this story!