Success is not about how high you have reached, but the long hike and perseverance you endured.
This is the essence of Mt. Cinco Picos.
During our recent climb, I felt fatigued. As I climb this mountain, there are times I felt I no longer have energy to climb any higher or any longer. There was an instant that I personally feel that this mountain has defeated me, that I am a quitter. But what I cannot do is cease to walk and just let go.
So I walked on and on, moving painstakingly forward, but never giving up. I whispered to myself, “as long as I am walking and breathing, I am learning.”
Over the Mountain
We arrived at Sitio Cawag at around 5:30 in the morning, three hours behind our original itinerary. It was a perfect break of dawn; the sky shrouded by passing rain clouds is slowly being illuminated by the sun which seems too lazy to rise.
![Mt. Cinco Picos Traverse to Silanguin Cove Group Picture at the summit hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlUXogdNIB_flY0AaO-5BUZgaDBYScKtQS9jpREZ7eyJcrF2rBmFizyk70pdkNfWqfAkKqbyQYkKyOyFRXoWWq_CxHctNR-RK9Uj4hT0Y_U3GkxLBlNXExlt-IDT0f95LHE4h/s1600-rw/group+picture.jpg) |
Souvenir group photo at the peak before descent to Silanguin Cove |
This is the first time I saw all the hikers invited by our organizer, Sir Gerry. It was an event posted in Facebook so I tried checking Facebook profiles of the attendees to know a little bit of something in advance – something we have in common to start a conversation perhaps.
As soon as we arrived at the jump-off, all became busy adjusting their backpacks, preparing rain covers, shifting weight, adjusting straps. All is synchronized, and from the looks of it, these are hardcore mountaineers, I thought. So I also prepped up.
![Mt. Cinco Picos Trail Zambales Philippines Mountaineers hiking the Mt. Cinco Picos grassland trail traverse to Silanguin Cove hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRQWFaiI9jYoYbiYBC_J_QSMSg5pV7Uw4oVjtMpZwmDKVRQ8ze1ECfxCIRt1nc_CBg_9FD37t-6M2ZyuLjS_d-gDZyFowYr66bwCfiNlw2MXVKiCZcatZysnXkd-kqselI2WJ/s1600-rw/cinco+picos+trail+green+grass.jpg) |
Traversing the grassland - Mt. Cinco Pico trail against picturesque surrounding hills |
![Mt. Cinco Picos barren grassland Very few trees at Mt. Cinco Picos denuded due to illegal logging hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HtMHriecshzyl8gz9QVn6FepFD-BzCfk1BlcvuX-e9RqeX-f1AeGpAVD0SWQA3sfXh5ml1CInBJhC2TThtIQOjEKynekb9DYUHiPVYb73PlQU7Pji5twn5yq1c4ujC_vbCl6/s1600-rw/mt+cinco+picos+denuded+forest+landscape.jpg) |
Deforested Mt. Cinco Picos due to illegal logging |
The trail is, for the most part, passing a rolling grassy slopes and hills. It is a perfect trail to see and appreciate Zambales’ geographic beauty, from the mighty Mt. Balingkilat and other surrounding mountain ranges to the picturesque Subic Bay to the panoramic islands and coves.
![Dead Tree Dead tree against the green grass and hazy sky hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83eqV2Ug8Ch1TEC3V_EUcl7kAmt8CXYcPonZ181pHuWyEzTr3WYNCCsvZwQ1H9j7IBFaaSZgeQfUR_R2Eiac6w4voLDXuIEeBQfheZ7Rj9evwl5jGcBbLomkT-Yo9Kzwu6i0d/s1600-rw/dead+tree+sky+grass.jpg) |
Remnants of the once lush mountain |
It is sad to note that due to illegal logging and kaingin, Mt. Cinco Picos is now deforested and 80% of the trail is along barren grassland.
![Mt. Cinco Picos Trail sharp rocks along the Mt. Cinco Picos trail hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZS8U86bDtC-6r3kD6IV6zgtOPLJgNaDKtDAZq5aCY2YV3MkFmxcGz3SY9PX_m8w15PLWkkwDKxfFiGhSlmNiod4f3tT4gqReOrVKkyIqcT5UYKzwyj7HIk7FWov415KpvQW3/s1600-rw/sharp+rocks+trail+cinco+picos.jpg) |
Sharp rocks along the Mt. Cinco Picos trail |
It would be like walking in hell if we do the climb in summer. So we are so thankful to have a cloudy day and occasional lovely rain showers during the climb.
![Lovely rain drops on grass Silver rain drops on the leaves of green grass hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNKo_lgsZoMa9672zewFbC3d-_ipHaHS5Ozvn0ZMyS2t-LcflFvojAZDyn10TpBjjkqhwk3RljDhBqH2nO0cHCNXuh1LsRXoJaqxTNPQxMZTIsoq2GvyvYkjCtmWuLdbn-FjS/s1600-rw/rain+droplets+green+grass+leaves.jpg) |
Thankful for the rain |
![Wild Mountain Flower Wild mountain flower along the trail of Mt. Cinco Picos hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j1Ks7I75dN4mhzJuhsIJ50yaVLriDf_LlzDmyfYcQ5LMd1GzAMhcHKgZacuRj8yScPSV-RCDthYoV0UEJtcbP2CJxkMIwBTDhVGYvKQXUBSRoXRPogPHX5tRk60yps9csIn8/s1600-rw/wild+flower+mountain+cinco+picos.jpg) |
Occasional Treats: Beautiful wild mountain blooms along Mt. Cinco Picos trail |
![Green Star Bright green leaves like a star along the trail hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUtiJyRrlx28xizmYO4LIahbjDjt8IvD6bzfngJNcoFu8VMd6hPmWW8BHHL5tL-_ScVrYIOushQL2xg0OPe83TfiuIwVl9BguGlKKnRKsIbmMwMzmwTqVFuJUiR8prPSeh7h6/s1600-rw/green+starfish.jpg) |
Green star along the trail |
Do not aim for the summit
![Mt. Cinco Picos Peak Summit Mountaineer enjoying the clouds at the summit of Mt. Cinco Picos Peak hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpJFBG70gQijzg0oR1T5pZ3MhGLFwTy7y0isc3Ra2qkMwR_HvQWZReMSlIMs_WhpldFVXzCMJoagRHTyJnv41-iICaaeI-vUOW_euDqEvX9rXTsIDu0mVuFXmPT2ZDZeiWA26/s1600-rw/hiker+clouds+cinco+picos.jpg) |
That above-clouds moment is always priceless |
Mt. Cinco Picos’ trail stretches on endlessly. There are many times I asked our guide Kuya August, if we are already at the summit. Mt. Cinco Picos literally mean “Five Peaks” and there are sections I thought that we have reached one of the peaks, or that we have arrived at the summit.
![Mt. Cinco Picos Summit Clouds Two mountaineers capturing the beauty of clouds at Mt. Cinco Picos hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrqJLDALdpnlHTptLVAs08JTG8eS_SFfsoEVbvoUgne1lYSpY5eX7ojXLYUSmCwZA8JlvJfe3O5NVYP5P1zASZ2mZ6pObNI9KbneJgdwQl9yiYTFfBJ6O3CLilOBNPInewJFw/s1600-rw/above+clouds+cinco+picos.jpg) |
Capturing the clouds |
![Mt. Cinco Picos traverse to Silanguin Cove Hiker looking at another peak at Mt. Cinco Picos climb hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQSbUUdLkloIOPalnWnKajPKdV3UBnJO8w7XgE21uWJaWLnPFylvasI0lds-esR4GtPaBLG4oqpJp7uIx5Juv-WBki083ga7_Ag0rFKvz1jKmnmfiFBqu1WxEXW0ub8gUGeur/s1600-rw/mt+cinco+picos+hiker+looking.jpg) |
So where's the summit? |
But as I look over my shoulder, I would always see another higher mountain, the mighty “Mountain of Thunder” or Mt. Balingkilat on my left; Mt. Dayungan on my right, and yet another beyond that.
![Mt. Cinco Picos Foot Notes Foot shot at the Mt. Cinco Picos trail hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3Hn6LtkwHA_zBbwf50d3rp4lRO4UTaJ77sTG6yjLaeY7MWsPEO8qtKp7_KXmfE8wx8Ss3ASm5L2vhMZVQSDDBVtq9cUj7wsnh_rkyRg3dtsAwtcHk_SLz_dGfrHbalA06kWX/s1600-rw/feet+shot+mountain+clouds+grass.jpg) |
I love doing this shot whenever I travel - My customary foot shot I call "Foot Notes" |
![Mt. Cinco Picos Traverse to Silanguin Cove Mountaineers descent from Mt. Cinco Picos going down Silanguin Cove hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6zSuqAsS8M3invXxLLbcMPVE7n4Ay7j0nSotUwMDL-Al60C75N8o1WCvTHvXoyRHvJP11-JfItwsSUay1fyvbB1oH53MfEoBhcAMAlsnelnMlpv0KElJf2UNZgB0P8JT9jtv/s1600-rw/mt+cinco+picos+silanguin+cove+traverse.jpg) |
The descent to Silanguin Cove |
After 4 hours of trekking I finally realize that it is really hard to climb a mountain if you are just aiming for the summit. I missed so much beauty along the trail because I am just aiming at getting up there.
![View of Silanguin Cove from Mt. Cinco Picos Picturesque view of Silanguin Cove against the foggy sky from the top of Mt. Cinco Picos hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT3b-fwlzDC690oDL0c9Dr-yDrRZfHqJyrdUmbP8tlW_MF5eLYJ73lOfKJ8mEu9k1Jiejth0mamrjaorrRLwSBrz5Bz11ggCYxjYYSpu8-udkJBl-fC499hOxgxfJKYrec7Xh/s1600-rw/cinco+picos+silanguin+cove+traverse+zambales.jpg) |
Picturesque view of Silaguin Cove from the peak of Mt. Cinco Picos |
![Mt. Cinco Picos Coming Typhoon Mountaineer watching the coming typhoon from the peak of Mt. Cinco Picos hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNakjDBCOas4k7I8uac89zAjFpObDNADA-wNpXMUdJ8-wjrbX1iyko-3Sa9Ecq7ledKbvE4rRmJS1wy8DVdKKz4pBWR6r2iiIW__T_P10U_LPwKbMczfsRJ2oaJtkcJiqLcz13/s1600-rw/storm+coming+cinco+picos+silanguin+cove.jpg) |
Here comes the typhoon!! |
Mt. Cinco Picos has no grand summit. But there are peaks and hills from which you can shout victory.
![Wild grass seeds Bowing wild grass seeds hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfmWN2RDPn9MuTmnMS0mcrAujKgje_F9Y5winDjEgDrKnh72gn-M7_JSGom9NgiEoM4zLvd5uIkkehRRhMOZd7cOeBWUCmQw4d2VRJGUlRhvaRvF-5DnmA3iZsTlMlLJ265cE/s1600-rw/dried+grass.jpg) |
There's always room to grow |
![Mt. Cinco Picos meditation at the peak Silanguin Cove Zambales A girl meditating at the peak of mountain Cinco Picos overlooking the sea Silanguin Cove hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYSzQss8Fkl4-uKz_EP9LA0u_ykUTEEZpbS9jW4tVRD-FAP4cQOooo-dxXvO26Z0U71A0yXvKcazwQPjpX8971W9VynAgavhwpKpDRXwi6lY53uhelxFErhJ36sNx1w_RfpeZ/s1600-rw/zen+lady+meditation+sea+clouds+mountain.jpg) |
Making your climb meaningful is a choice |
Making this climb meaningful is a moment-by-moment choice. To discover magnificence in every step is truly Mt. Cinco Picos’ greatest reward.
![Mt. Cinco Picos traverse to Silanguin Cove Zambales Philippines Amazing view of Silanguin Cove from the top of Mt. Cinco Picos hover_share](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2VCByTBGWPdUPi5Hs9LhcBle7_9nOiSrh2S_ijnHYFjAqeQH3a3Z6pQkwJWqL4gjJ_PBlYZg-c5l9Eb5N2za1R0FmnhN8lvpETWBckEBOBd-CoOSq4LJX44PqqPBxzktXuVB/s1600-rw/cinco+picos+view+silanguin+cove+peak.jpg) |
The mountain-to-sea adventure is what makes this climb more exciting |
___________________________
P.S. Our trek ended at the lovely Silanguin Cove read part II of this post:
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Mountaineering, Trekking, Hiking Escapades
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