SI AYANG ANG ESKAPO : Lioness back and Rhino Rock- The Norzaragay Adventures

One of my member in ESKAPO MOUNTAINEERS invited me to join TEAZONE (The Extreme Adventure Zone) Headed by Sir Marc Gana for a "Class 4 Rock Climbing/Scrambling Training" in Norzagaray Bulacan. Thanks Ms. Jackie Vargas ^_^

LIONESS BACK

RHINO ROCK

POKER FACE ROCK

Our meet-up place was Jollibee Cubao. From Cubao we took an ordinary bus travelling to Sapang Palay and asked the "konduktor" to drop us off to Road 2 which is few minutes away from Tungko, San Jose Bulacan. From Road 2 we had to take another jeep to go to "Lower Bigte Norzagaray(Crossing) to secure our packed lunch and water. From crossing the the rock formation is 15 minutes tricycle ride away only. The major jump off is at "Upper Bigte" said by Sir Marc Gana. Note: tricycle drivers from crossing know about the rock climbing site. Just tell them you will go for rock climbing.

Tungko San Jose Bulacan

We saw the silhouette of Mt. Balagbag Rodriguez Rizal along the way.

This is the Road 2.

We were 10 in the group. Which are my members in ESKAPO MOUNTAINEERS, Jackie Vargas, Lea Legaspi and other new found friends: Eric Munoz, Ish Salazar, Gem Castro, Yzai Alvarez, Angelica de Chavez, Maam Tin and Maam Mindy. Of course our organizer Maam Tracy Cabantog and our Idol,Master,Guide the Expert Sir Marc Gana of "The Extreme Adventure Zone"

Jeep going to Bigte Norzagaray.

Thet Jump-off. Jump off is behind that blue truck. Its a private property but they allow anyone to enter. When I saw the Rock Formation from the gate I got so excited for the adventure waiting for us.

This is the Jump Off.

AYANG ANG ESKAPO! EXCITED!

Before we start Sir Marc Gana gave us the pointers and some information on what would gonna happen in our event. He introduced to us the different " Climbing Classes". Class 1 is type of climbing that involves walking/hiking on an even surface. Class 2 is hiking up steep trail. Class 3 is steep hiking with occasional use of hands. The Class 4 is the Rock Scrambling (scrambling means walking on all fours) The last is Class 5 which is the vertical climbing which requires full gears like: rapelling. - by Marc Gana

Most of the participants were female, only Me and Eric was the boys in the group but it did not matter, these girls were as strong like man.Everyone is professional they are all working in different prominent companies. But we were one here. And our goal is to conquer the Lioness Back and the Rhino Rock.

Ang Pakner's in Crime ni Sir Marc. "Rommel"

This is where we started. There is no established trail here. All we had was walk and climb on a different rock formation the whole day. On the start it was more of balancing on an inclined rocks that you have to pass through. Proper attire is really required not just for comfort but first of all for safety. Note: Drifit shirt, sandals/rock climb shoes/trekking shoes, shorts, warmer, gloves,sun block and courage ^_^

I decided to be the sweeper so that I can assist other participants and also to make my experience more extreme.Sir Marc was very accommodating and caring for his participants. He is always after safety and fun just follows.

We entered into a short forested area on foot of this big rock formation. It was a great day with a good weather. Along the trail you will see different rock formations. The trail is mostly composed of razor-sharp rocks so slippers is really not advisable.

Ascending on a 75 degrees steep rock.

"TEAM GARAY" Photo by Sir Marc Gana

As we go, the climb is going very technical. We were big in the numbers so we had to manage the climbers traffic. We had to wait until the person passed through before we can step forward.

Before the assault segment and the real rock climb we had a stop over at Sampaloc Tree. There were kids on the tree and we felt envy because there's a small resting area made of bamboos on a big branch of the tree and we thought it was cool to be there. We asked Sir Marc if we can climb the tree and He agreed so right away he installed a rope that will support us on climbing this Sampaloc Tree.

Tracy and Sir Marc- The Pasimuno

Ayang climbing the Sampaloc Tree

I love the team because we have a common denominator. "We want to try everything". Walang arte arte!

Kids did "My ESKAPO SIGN"

The Class 4 Rock Scrambling starts from this 90 degrees rock

I was never a rock climber but I am a mountaineer. I have been into different mountains and experienced few rock scrambling but not to do it for the whole day so this is a new experience to me.

Final Assault before the first stop over

Stop-over before the "Lioness Back" TEAM GARAY

ESKAPO SIGN with Sir Marc Gana. Thanks for doing this Sir!

This is the peak of this rock formation. That afternoon was sunny yet windy. The mountain range behind us is the Sierra Madre.

Having lunch on a steep rock standing around 80 to 100 MASL( estimate only)

After lunch its time to conquer the "Lioness Back"

No one will assist you when you climb this rock . Its has 360 view of Bulacan.There is no harness or any support, that's what rock scrambling is all about.

I had to hug the "Lioness Back" because it was so windy and I am afraid to lost my balance because it's my life who's at risk. For those adventurers and daredevils this is one I will recommend.

Finally I made it to Lioness Back. I tried to stand and raise my hands on this rock formation but for safety I just sat because the wind was too strong that could move you.

Its time to say "Goodbye to the Lioness Back" because there is more challenging adventure waiting for us. To conquer the "Rhino Rock"

This is where we started the descend, no trail and trail is steeper.

Few meters "Kiss the Wall Trail"

The steep razor rock. You have to make sure that the rock that you will hold is safe and strong or else....^_^

And we safely reached the ground. "ESKAPO SIGN" with the kids of Norzagaray.

When we reached the "Balete" we we're very lucky to witnessed the sun lands behind the "Balete"

Few minutes before we leave the Balete. From the summit of Lioness Back a monkey appeared right in front of us. There was a group of monkeys that were playing but I only captured one monkey who stood on the edge of the rock.

Heading to "Rhino Rock" the last challenge for this day.

Facing the "Poker Face Rock" Behind is the Rhino Rock.

The Rhino Rock.

The second level of Rock Scrambling started here from the entry point of Rhino Rock. The rocks are bigger that needs a strong upper extremities to pull yourself up.