Morning Assembly 01

Last weekend, we had a Pilot event for our Morning Assembly series. A social introductory hike for people just starting out. For this installation, we’re joined with seasoned trail runners and some new to the sport.

By the end of 5am, we stretched our legs at Kablam Gift Shop and started casually toward a nearby esquina.

With the sky turning orange we greet the silhig carrying residents a Good Morning as we pass by Pleasant Homes. A few sidestep forcing alleys and dog barks, we hit the rugged footpaths of Nazareth. 

It was around 6:30am, the sun was starting to heat up and so were our legs as we did our first ascent at Lumadnong Swimming Pool, a good way to greet those quads. Good Morning.

The ascent was most awakening since most of us were all coming back to hiking after a hiatus. On the peak of the hill, resting, the dried up pool seemed interesting to hang out.

Done with the long rest and chismis, we descended to Badjang via San Carlos Heights, a long stretch of downhill with a corrupted road easy enough to sprain the ankle. But the unusual path going down there was the exciting part.

This path, only used by locals, is filled with traitor rolling stones easily susceptible to falling into a steep drop. This event has no insurance of some sort but I'm happy to know everyone was all in with the challenge.

The Bajang trail was once a MTB downhill route, the established trail and patches of cemented paths were destroyed by a typhoon a year ago. Now, it is a treat for trail runners with some sketchy sections. Along this route are some unusual spots. Our favorite.

A big rock stapled with a religious article with some charred markings at the bottom suggesting that it might be a sort of shrine. The location also has a few deep holes dug out and all we have left is to wonder what all of these are supposed to mean. Either way it's a good spot to show our friends.

As we descend further down the valley, we meet locals living in a house leaning on the mountain face (heard some rumors of a cave with Japanese artifacts still there) . This was a common sight along this valley, since rock formations were porous and may suggest some caves every now and then. Along this route is an accessible shallow cave with unusual formations on its ceiling. An interesting spot.

With faces smiling, filled with new sights and something to talk about, the route asked for another ascent on a skinned mountain face with a sun that was full blasting on us. An ordeal that turned the smile upside down.

It was already 10am and we were so eager to go home, we went non verbal and ran our pace back to our start line.

Unbeknownst to the group, we prepared some refreshments and mingled for a bit and said our sunod nasad!