Hiking Chronicles: Mt. Marami

Mt. Marami (405+ MASL)
Brgy. Ramirez, Magallanes, Cavite
Mountain specs: Difficulty 3/9 | Minor climb | Trail class 1-3

FACTS ON MT. MARAMI
Mt. Marami is a dormant volcano located in Cavite. Though  few kilometers away from the famous Pico de Loro, Mt. Marami was not integrated as part of the Mt. Palay-Palay Range. The mountain has been tagged as Mt. Tala, Mt. Buntis and Mt. Maragondon and some accounts of Bonifacio's death are said to happen on this mountain. However, claims are still under validation though it was clear that the execution of Bonifacio happened on the same mountain range.

Mt. Marami, or known as Mataas na Gulod or Nagbuo, got its name from numerous rock formations on the summit.

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Since I got no date during this special day, I invited my two regular hiking buddies and two first-timers (April, Ivy, Louie and Gio) to get ourselves to the summit of Mt. Marami. It was supposedly an overnight hike as I was really avoiding the scorching heat of the sun but due to some conflicts in the schedule, we pushed through with a Valentines' dayhike.

I met April and Louie in Coastal Mall at around 4:30 AM and rode a bus bound to Ternate, the same bus going to Pico de Loro. We dropped off by Naic and walked ourselves to Naic Grand Terminal where we waited for Ivy and Gio. On the terminal, we were asked by a driver if we would like to join them on the jeep as a group of hikers bound to the same mountain rented the said jeep. After some negotiation, we agreed and at 7:00 AM, we were on our way to Brgy. Ramirez.

With my fellow hikers at the jumpoff of Mt. Marami.

We then registered at the barangay hall. Registration fee costs Php 25.00 per person and guide fees are fixed at Php 500 per group of ten persons. We were assigned to a teenager guide named Kirby. After arranging all things, we had our hike at 08:00 AM.

Similar to what Marami's trail has been known, Kirby reminded us that going to the summit of Mt. Marami isn't that easy. It wasn't really that easy. The first half of the trail is wide and easy, with multiple crossings on Ilog na Kaybanga. It was pretty straightforward, though most parts of the trail is loose and exposed to the sun.

Walking ourselves on the loose trail of Mt. Marami.

One of the sections of river crossing along the trail.

After an hour, we reached the Nuestra Señora Trail registration office. Since this point is covered by Maragondon, Cavite, a new set of registration fees is collected. Registration fee costs Php 20.00 per person. According to Kirby, aside from the Nuestra Señora Trail, there exists a couple of trails that are less discovered. However, he mentioned that the barangay hall hasn't yet opened these trails officially and there are still security concerns along these trails.

Chilling at a small shed in the registration booth of Nuestra Señora trail.

From here, a glimpse of the Mt. Marami can be seen from afar.

So near yet so far. See the prominent rock formation sof Mt. Marami.

After an hour of walking and river crossing, we finally have reached the first part of the cardiac trail. We were welcomed by a 45° continuous ascent and I'll tell you it was gruesome. Unlike most of the mountains, the ascending part to the summit of Mt. Marami is on the second half of the trail. After being exhausted with the scorching heat of the sun, one should expect that at this point, Marami will really drain your energy out. This treacherous trail is what made Marami famous.

There are a couple of stopovers where one can take rest. On one of the stopovers, we met some locals resting underneath a tree. Together with them are roosters of a different blend, I would say, smaller than usual roosters and their wings are shaded with green. According to the locals, they are called labuyo and they use these roosters to get wild chicken. On how they use it is really a surprise to all of us. They will let the roosters wander at a specific part of the mountain and these roosters make sounds that signal the wild chickens to come near to them. The locals will then catch these chickens using nets. A good day yields two to three chickens but during our visit, they said they haven't gotten any yet.

The last assault to the summit.

Since it was already getting noon, we hurried ourselves up to reach the summit as we definitely don't want to get cooked by the intensifying heat of the sun. After a total of five hours, we have reached the summit of Mt. Marami.

Standing on one the rock formations in the summit.

Relaxing under the heat of the sun. Yes, it is possible.

Though usually termed as the summit, the highest point of Mt. Marami is not found on any of the rock formations. If looking from these formations, you will see a pointed peak somewhere around east of the range. This peak, however, isn't accessible and has a trail opposite to the rock formations. It is in this reason that hikers are directed to the rock formations. From the summit, sights of Pico de Loro and Mt. Palay-Palay range, Talamitam, and Batulao can be seen. It is also in the summit where the famous Silyang Bato rock formation can be found.

A chair made of rock. Indeed worthy of its name.

 A summit of triumph and victory.

Braving myself not to fall from this stone. Braving heights and altitude.

Who's gonna leave Silyang Bato without literally sitting on it?

Strike a pose. Fierce. Energetic.

We stayed in the summit for an hour to enjoy the view and regain ourselves from the exhaustion earlier.

Pure happiness. Group shot at the summit of Mt. Marami.

We left the summit at around 01:30 PM and since the hike isn't a traverse one, we crossed the same trail we took earlier. We reached the jumpoff four hours after. It was our first time to end a hike on an evening. Luckily, tricycles are available to bring us back to Maragondon proper. After tidying up and preparing our things, we left Brgy. Ramirez at around 07:00 PM. We arrived at Manila at around 10:00 PM.

Despite the mountain's relatively lower altitude, Mt. Marami should not be really taken easy as it has proven itself to be one of the challenging dayhikes.

ITINERARY

Mt. Marami – Silyang Bato
04:00 AM	Assembly at Coastal Mall
04:30 AM	ETD Coastal Mall. Ride bus bound to Ternate/Naic.
06:00 AM	ETA Petron Naic. Walk to Naic Grand Terminal.
06:15 AM	Ride jeep to Brgy. Ramirez.
07:30 AM	ETA Brgy. Ramirez. Register and secure guides
08:00 AM	Start trek.
09:00 AM	Arrival at Nuestra Señora Trail registration. Register and pay fees.
12:00 PM	Arrival at Mataas na Gulod summit. Explore area and viewpoints.
01:00 PM	Start descent.
04:30 PM	Arrival at Brgy. Ramirez. Tidy up.
05:30 PM	ETD Brgy. Ramirez. Take jeep or tricycle to Naic/Maragondon.
06:30 PM	Arrival at Naic/Maragondon. Take bus bound to Manila.
09:00 PM	ETA Manila

SPECIAL NOTES

Transportation: Going to Mt. Marami is accessible via Naic-bound buses. Drop off by Petron Naic at the junction and walk towards the Naic Grand Terminal where jeepneys going to Brgy. Ramirez can be found. Bus fares costs Php 77.00 and jeepney fare to Brgy. Ramirez costs Php 35.00. Note that the last trip of jeepney from Brgy. Ramirez to Naic leaves at 06:00 PM, after which tricycle trips can be arranged. Last bus trips from Ternate/Naic leave at around 08:00 PM. 

For private vehicles, go straight to Cavitex and enter Kawit Exit. Take the Aguinaldo Highway until you reach Petron Naic junction. Take the left road. At the street cornering BPI, turn left and continue until reaching Brgy. Ramirez.

Registration, guides and porters: As of 2016. the barangay hall strictly implements a no-guide, no hike policy. Guide fees cost Php 600 for five persons per day, porter fees cost the same. Registration fee at the barangay hall costs Php 10.00. Upon arrival at the Nuestra Señora registration booth, registration fees are collected at Php 20.00

Hiking and camping notes:

1. Most parts of the trail is exposed to sun. Wear appropriate clothing and apply sunblock to exposed areas.
2. It is advisable to pack at least three liters of water. There is a water source halfway along the trail.
3. Cellphone signal is sporadic throughout the entire trail.
4. During rainy days, the trail can be extremely slippery and muddy. Prepare accordingly.
5. Some parts of the trail are dominated by grass and talahib. Wear appropriate clothing.
6. Campsites are available; however, is not present in the summit.
7. Observe proper LNT principles.

Estimated damage: Php 500 - Php 700

Overall rating of the mountain: 8/10. Recommended for those who want to try a challenging dayhike near the metro. A Mt. Marami hike is usually done as a preparatory climb to major climbs.

Credits to Gio Zaragosa for the photos.