Mt. Nagsasa Traverse to Nagsasa Cove

Our last stop for year 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Mt. Nagsasa and Nagsasa Cove
Subic, Zambales
October 24-25, 2009
SPI Mountaineering Club
By Lakwatsero

Jumpoff: Sitio San Martin, Subic
LLA: 14°49.03N, 120°06.25 E, 450 MASL
Days required / Hours to the Cove: 1-2 days / 3 - 4 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1-2

We were invited by the Yabag Group to join them in Nagsasa in September but we had a climb then. After their adventure, they shared the pictures with us. We were amazed at the beauty and promised ourselves that we would also visit that site. A month later, we were at the jump-off in the middle of the night. This is the story of Mt. Nagsasa and Nagsasa Cove and how beautiful the adventure was.

Friday night, we all trooped to Victory Liner and hopped on our rented bus for Olonggapo. 3 hours later, we were at our favorite Zambales waiting spot, Chowking, for a very early breakfast (2am). The jeep then arrived and brought us to the jump-off. We immediately wore our headlamps and walked towards the mountain. We all thought the real jump-off was a few minutes away until we noticed that there did not seem to be any plan to stop walking.

The initial walk was long but since we started long before sunrise, the cool air helped to make the walk relaxing. The trail was not steep but it was long. We were expecting a 5-hour climb but were hoping for something short. It took some of us as little as 5 hours to get to the cove, while a majority took longer. Once we reached the saddle of Mt. Nagsasa, our eyes suddenly turned to see one of the most beautiful beaches ever. We could see the blue waters of the beach and the white sands of the shore. It gave us a super boost of energy. The only daunting thing was the realization that between the saddle and the shore was a long, long, looooong path.

At the beginning of the last leg of the climb, we went down a steep path. After which, the path was easy. The trail ran through rocks, rivers, streams, soft sand, hard sand, cogon, and more sand. A few hours later, we could already see the shore. It was a sight to behold. It was a place like those in post cards and coffee table books. It was clean, barely inhabited, quiet, and dreamlike. All the efforts spent trying hard to get to the beach were worth it. Everything was worth it!

Clear skies, blue waters, white sand, sweet scent of the mountain breeze, they all relaxed our weary bodies. It was after lunch when the last group reached the cove. Lunch was already set for them. Our guides ate lunch with us. They were very helpful in bringing our heavy materials and pointing us to the right direction.

The entire time we spent on the beach was dedicated to having as much fun in and out of the water. We swam, had a pictorial session, walked along the shore, transferred to a fresh water cove, and socialized with so many new faces. There were more than 40 participants in total.

The next day, some went to the hidden falls and experienced the cool rushing waters of the untouched falls, chilly at times but still cool and relaxing. After all the last minute dips, we prepared to trek back to the other side, another looooong trek. Before we finished packing we were invited to take a boat ride to Subic instead. Some were more than eager to take the boat and see more of what Nagsasa Cove had to offer. The rest trekked patiently. Both ways had their own wonders.

Those who took the boat ride were treated to some rocky waves and the refreshing sea breeze. It was a relaxing trip, most of the time. Those who chose to trek went to a nearby river to wash up. The water was so clear; it was easy to take pictures under water.

By 7pm, both groups (boat and trek) met back at Chowking to prepare for the 3-hour ride home bringing back not just memories of a beautiful beach but also the wonderful experiences with new found friends.

There are so many fun destination in the Philippines and many more to discover...... Im lucky to part of the second group to traverse Mt. Nagsasa and go to the Nagsasa Cove, vice versa, so this is very different one traversing from to other ground of the mountain, back to back.....hehehehe... The pristine condition of the newly explored mountain and the clear waters of the lakes, rivers, and beach greets our group, to be recognized as the 2nd batch of Nagsasa explorers....

Suggested Itinerrary;

Day 0

2130 Assembly @ Victory Liner (Pasay)
2330 ETD for Olangapo, Zambales

Day 1

0200 ETA @ Olangapo, take early breakfast (Chowking Olangapo)
0230 ETD to jump off (Sitio San Martin) w/ secured climbing permits
0330 ETA at jumpoff, secure guides, courtesy call to tribe chief
0400 Start trek
0630 Saddle Ridge View(Nagsasa Cove (sunrise awaits) Descending
0700 Water source
0745 ETA Nagsasa flat grounds valley
0900 ETA Nagsasa beach/cove (courtesy call to Nagsasa chieftain)
1100 Prepare lunch
1200 Lunch time
1330 Enjoy life, swim, midafternoon socials
1500 Explore the hidden falls of Nagsasa
1700 Back to camp, enjoy the sunset @ beach
1900 Dinner time
2000 Socials
2300 Lights out

Day 2

0700 Wake up call, enjoy again
0900 Big fresh river
1130 Prepare Lunch
1200 Lunch time, break camp
1400 Start trek
1600 Saddle ridge view (last view of Nagsasa)
1730 Jump off (wash up)
1830 ETD to Olangapo
1930 ETA @ Olangapo
2000 ETD to Manila

Victory Liner Pasay Station......ready na to trip.....pero picture muna.......o diba?

We arrive in Chowking Olangapo.....to take a very early breakfast..........hehehehehe...

This is it.....start nah.....back is Mt. Nagsasa................here i am.....

one of the yougest climber that join this climb......he is only 7 years old.......astig!!!!!!!

At the saddle of Mt. Nagsasa........a scenic view of Nagsasa Cove.............hay...ang layo pa.....


The beautiful view from the left side of Nagsasa Cove.............

and at the right you can also see how beautiful and how preserve Nagsasa was.......

Sunset at Nagsasa..........


of course....ang sumisikat ngaun......tinatalo na ang marami..............THE BAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we go for a dip sa malamig na tubig ng unknown and hidden falls of Mt. Nagsasa.......



e2 pa isa.........ang sarap talaga............

last pic for our group............the one with shades is the Pres. of YABAG ORG....Sir Migs......thanks again!!!!!!till the next climb.