Pampanga - Mt. Arayat

Mt. Arayat 
Arayat National Park, Brgy. Bano de San Juan, Arayat, Pampanga
1030 MASL
Difficulty: Minor 3/9
Trail Class: 2-3
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours

A traveler heading north can see a sole wrench-top-like-mountain at the right side while on the NLEX. It is located in the Province of Pampanga, the Mt. Arayat.

Mt. Arayat is a sole mountain accessible in the Province. It was already living in a myth like it's CALABARZON counterpart, Mt. Makiling, before it was discovered as a mountaineering destination. Yes, the Mt. Arayat was part of a legend saying these two were sisters. Both a powerful fairy that lives in a mountain. Also, like Mt. Makiling, the ordinary hike is a minor climb, but traversing the mountain will elevate it's level into a major climb.

Trekking Mt. Arayat could be quite challenging, as the first leg of the climb will be an exposed trail. Then as you continue, you will be facing a trail with a largely grown bushes and cogon esp. during rainy days. From there, the ascend begins and it will continue up to the summit. You will rarely find a flat trail, but fear not, the confusion and lost is a rare chance since the trail is very visible and some signs were present.

Mt. Arayat is an inviting destination since it is very challenging and good for a training/preparation climb. However, there are some nuisance that you must be ready to face in climbing the said mountain. The Arayat National Park that serves as the jump-off for Arayat trail is a home for a "wise" people(I opted to use a positive word), as all requests and questions comes with a price. Also, the abundance of mosquitoes and flies could be annoying, so prepare accordingly.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

You may take buses bound to north, esp. Tarlac since they passes SM San Fernando where you can secure a ride to Arayat National Park.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

 Day 1

10:30 Assembly time
11:00 Depart to Pampanga, take bus
12:00 ETA SM San Fernando, take lunch, buy supplies
13:00 Head to jumpoff
13:30 ETA Jumpoff, register
18:00 ETA Campsite, set camp, head to viewing deck for pictures
18:30 Back to campsite, prepare dinner
19:30 Dinner, Socials

Day 2

05:00 Wake up call, prepare breakfast
06:00 Breakfast
06:30 Breakcamp
07:00 Start descend
10:00 ETA Jumpoff, wash out at Arayat Nat'l Park
11:00 head to SM San Fernando
11:30 ETA SM San Fernando, lunch
12:30 Head back home