I’m not sure what got into us, but our Friday hiking group voluntarily decided to climb up to Kalaklan ridge from the Olongapo side via what has been dubbed “the stairway to heaven”. A lot of climbs begin with some form of stairsteps which eventually turn into dirt paths before you reach the top. The stairway to heaven goes all the way up to the ridge–some 200 meters, or 60 floors if the conversion calculator I used is accurate. It’s an ass-kicker, that’s for sure.
As much as I dislike getting up there, I really enjoy the scenery and views on Kalaklan ridge. Let me show you what I mean:
Up, over, and down again… That’s Olongapo on right, Barretto on the left.The Jeepneys were all full, so we caught a bus to Olongapo City.After exiting the bus, we walked a kilometer or so to Gordon Heights.Heading for the stairs…uphill of course.And so it begins…Lightening my load by dispensing with some cookies…Going up……and up.Taking a picture while I catch my breath.Onward and upward…Damn, this doesn’t feel like heaven to me…The view from here.And still, we climb.There’s no turning back now!Can you imagine the commute if you lived up here? Damn. What a pain in the ass!Nope, we ain’t done yet.A quick look back.The way ahead.Wait a minute. Could this be it?Almost there.At the top sits this abandoned house. I guess getting up and down wasn’t worth it…I am happy to report that everyone who started the climb survived it.Let’s head over to the other side of the mountain…Off in the distance, Easter mountain pokes her head through the haze.Every time I see this view of my little town I feel happy that I live here. I truly am blessed.Some friendly cows along the way…Jim standing tall and proud on the Great Wall of Barretto.This is the first time I’ve encountered an aggressive carabao. Scary! He actually almost got his horns into the little boy who was with us. I was as quick on my feet as possible when I hustled by him.Let’s get outta here!Heading down…A cookie stop along the way…Watch your step, Scott. It’s slippery!The gals got some refreshments at the sari-sari store...The menfolk headed over to Dynamite Dick’s. That’s Dick on the right front.That’s it for this post…
Let me try and leave you with a smile:
I thought it was punny…
3 thoughts on “The stairway to heaven”
I got tired just looking at those pics. Yikes. 60 floors. I’m not at that level yet, but maybe I will be in the next couple of months. Keep on trucking!
Wow! Quite the hike up. Equivalent of 60 floors is alot.
Surprised that the “quality” of the steps seemed to get better the higher you went. LOL
Good catch, Brian. People who have done that climb said the steps on the second half of the climb were indeed “new” since the last time they’d been up this way.
Kev, I actually thought of you climbing the 27 floors of your building and your future goal of doing it twice. So, just imagine yourself climbing to Kalaklan Ridge and enjoy the view!
I got tired just looking at those pics. Yikes. 60 floors. I’m not at that level yet, but maybe I will be in the next couple of months. Keep on trucking!
Wow! Quite the hike up. Equivalent of 60 floors is alot.
Surprised that the “quality” of the steps seemed to get better the higher you went. LOL
Good catch, Brian. People who have done that climb said the steps on the second half of the climb were indeed “new” since the last time they’d been up this way.
Kev, I actually thought of you climbing the 27 floors of your building and your future goal of doing it twice. So, just imagine yourself climbing to Kalaklan Ridge and enjoy the view!