"Philippines. Started in Los Banos at the university. It was Good Friday, Holy Week, lots of people! First part is a paved road. Lots of shops. Bought some bananas. Went to mud pool first. At Agila Base the path got small. Climbed through forest. A lady gave some information: watch out for leeches and need to come down at 14 o clock! Oh ooh. Detour between station 16 and 17 because of landslide. On the way up went hardcore, left everyone behind. Wanted to make the summit before deadline. Climbed like crazy, passed lots of people. Did not wait for people coming down. Got to Peak 2 at 13h45 uff! No possibility to make traverse, army guarding path. Open grass field. Drank some water and went back down to cheer up the others. Found Judith and Sam at station 28. They will make it. Went back up with them. Climbed a tree to have a view on Laguna, Talim Island on one side and Taal Lake and Volcano on other side. Nami and G make it to the top aswel! Yes! Go down slow, lots of mud. Got bitten by something when I sat down to rest. Hand stung for a few days." — Pieter • Mar 30, 2018

"20150308 Makiling Dayhike (UPLB Trail) Report: Half-day prep hike planned on Saturday, to be executed on Sunday early morning. Food summary of light breakfast and limited water. The trail was long and akin to a wide park-walk, with beautiful flora past the Nursery area, vibrant wilderness past Agila Base, ladder and rope sections near the summit. The summit area, Peak 2, was small and humid with the afternoon sun. Far vistas are present but occluded occasionally by trees. The additional Mud Springs trip was a good science-fuelled side trip. The experience was a feel-good trip, and it's counted as a memorable first-time hike done in the lifetime. Date: Whole-day event, Sunday, March 8, 2015 Trail plan: Dayhike to summit via UPLB trail and reverse, no guide Side trail: Mudsprings (passed), Flatrocks (not passed) Weather: Sunny, dry Equipment: Carry-ons: hike bag-35L to contain 50% water, canned food, spare clothes, toiletries, IDs, gadgets and pocket money Clothing: farmer shirt, light jeans, bonnet Footwear: sandals with socks Expenses (per participant): Total = PhP 550~ Consumables= Php 250~ Jeep to Buendia = Php 15~ Bus to LB = Php 100~ Jeep to For..." — christianr009 • Mar 8, 2015

"Ended a challenging yet memorable week with another challenging one-day traverse at the enchanting Mt. Makiling, from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Los Baños, Laguna. It is one of the toughest mountain traverses you can do near the Metro. Known for its mystical and legendary stories of Maria Makiling, the mountain is home to a lush ecosystem that creates a world of its own. It is truly a blessing that the mountain has been opened again for hikers after years of closure." — ramng • Mar 7, 2015