Mt Maculot: Same Mountain, New Trail

The Philippine mountaineering community classifies Mt Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas as a beginner's mountain and therefore an easy hiking destination. I've been hiking since I was a teenager, but ironically for me, I never had an easy Mt Maculot hike.

The first time was an overnight hike when I was in college and new to an outdoor student organization. My bag was heavy and even though it was not my first hiking trip, I was still what most would call a "newbie".