MY ADVENTURE BLOG | Climbing an AWESOME Volcano in the Philippines

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My Mount Kanlaon Experience

I just want to share our experience or my first time to climb Mount Kanlaon. An active volcano and one of the best natural parks in the Philippines. It is the highest point in Negros Island, as well as the whole Visayas, with an elevation of 2,465 m above sea level.

I have been there three times and every time I go there, I still feel excited. This makes this mountain my favorite. As of now, It is still on an alert level. So, going on a trip to Mount Kanlaon is ILLEGAL. lol

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^{Me at the saddle camp}

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Day Zero: Dumanjug Route

The first time that I set foot on that mountain was 2010. I was the one who organized the climb since there are lots of mountaineer to-be people who wants to go.

Since we all are from Cebu, we need to get a boat in order to get to Negros Island. I decided to take a different route since most of us were still working on a Friday night. I wanted to try Dumanjug-Guihulngan boat route. We arrived at Dumanjug port on a midnight but the boat leaves at 4 am so we have plenty of time to do stuff. We just shared the food load for the people.

We arrived at Guihulngan at around 7 am. The boat trip was not that bad. But we still have to get a Bus ride to Canlaon City. Lucky we caught a very fast one! We arrived at Canlaon City on time or maybe not that late.

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^{Me pointing at Kanlaon Volcano crater}

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Day One: Ascent Already?

We met the guides (Motmot & Co.) and ate our breakfast at the nearest Carinderia and immediately left in a Multi Cab. We were about 8 in our team and we hope to conquer the Visayas island’s highest and one of the Philippines most deadly volcanoes.

We started our ascent at around 10 am in the blistering heat of the sun. The forest line was still far and we were all exhausted from the heat. But it was all fun. We ate our lunch on the trail. It was already at the forest line so no need to worry about the scorching heat of the open field.

We resumed the trek after lunch. This time, the canopy of trees covered the sun and everything was cool. The smell of damp moss covered the area as it was a rainforest. On the trail, there was nothing manmade except them trees! Big trees, small trees, mossy trees, TREES!

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Makawiwili Peak

At around 5 pm, I noticed a very steep trail heading up. Our guide lied to us that we are still hours away from the campsite. But upon checking on the altimeter of my watch it was nearly 2000 meters above sea level. After 30 minutes, we have reached our first Camp, the Makawiwili Campsite. We didn't have time to do sightseeing as we can do it the next day. Our main objective was to pitch the tent and cook dinner.

We just cooked a quick pasta meal. But on the other tent, they were cooking birds! Maya birds! But then the storm came and ruined all the fun. No alcoholic liquor was spilled that night.

Stormy Mountain

Then the heavy rain came. the 8 of us has to fit inside a 4-person tent to eat our dinner. The other tent was already wet inside just like an indoor Jacuzzi. Lucky our tent was not wet but somehow my tentmate got a slight fever. We slept early since the storm wasn’t planning to stop that night.

Day Two: Nothing to DO

Got up quite early and saw one of the best sunrises that I witnessed (not a morning person..lol). This day will be called the photoshoot day. As soon as we got bored taking pictures, we had our breakfast and began to break camp. We started our hike at around 10 am and reached the second campsite near the crater at 12 am.

The Saddle Camp has no trees. Just grass and a 20-minute hike to the summit. Staying inside the tent felt like you're in a sauna. We cooked our lunch instead and had a feast under the scorching sun. We then went down to Margaja Valley. It used to be Mount Kanlaon's crater located just below the campsite.

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We bathed in the four-inch deep waters of Margaja Valley! Well, at least it took all the dirt and the sticky sweat away. We then gathered some potable water from the nearest water source and went back to our campsite. It was still not recommended to climb the peak since it was still covered in fog. It is not that safe. So, we stayed at the campsite instead, drinking the tasty alcoholic drink that was spared from last nights storm.

At night, we cooked our dinner, ate and had another round of drinking session above everyone else in the Visayas islands. The guides gave us Adobong Birdies or Fried Rice Field Birds. Those birds were considered pest in their area because they eat all the crops. So no pain... No grain. Had a bit of fun with the local guides but, we still have to sleep early for the next day. Our summit day!

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^{Margaja Valley Lake (Camp 2)}

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Day Three: Summit Day

I woke up early from my tentmate's ultimate snore and went outside to take a leak. Another awesome sunrise! There was no cloud covering and the whole area was clear!

With just a liter of water and a camera, we headed to the summit. The temperature was around 12 degrees Celsius. We hurried up the rocky face of the mountain. There were trail signs that guide you to the summit. We got lucky the trail was clear of fog so we did not struggle to look for the path to the mouth of the volcano.

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Summit & Descend

After the 20-minute-or-less ascent to the top of Negros Island, we now face the crater. It was so huge and deep. If someone would fall down, he will surely meet his maker. And another picture taking moments on top (I better find those pictures). I was wondering if there was a push-button for the volcano to spit out deadly magma that would be cool. NOT!

After the awesome crater visit, we then hurried down to the campsite for breakfast as the clouds slowly cover the peak. Then prepare for another tiring moment. The trek back to the civilization. This time is another trail that leads to Brgy Masulog.

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Another hot hot hot trek in the cogon fields. Those cogon leaves were very sharp I had several cuts in my hand that time. That was I think an hour of cogon field then the forest line for maybe an hour. We had our lunch on the dead creek where some locals died there while training. The flash flood took them away. You can see faces on the rocks near the river. Maybe they are the ones who perished.

After the creek, you will then see a beautiful view of Brgy Masulog. But you have to hike in the blistering heat at around 1-2 in the afternoon without the covering trees.

^{Saddle (Camp 2)}

We passed by some farmlands. Endless carrot and cabbage plantation! This time everyone was very anxious to be on flat ground which makes it even more painful. Then, out of nowhere, a small store selling ice cold Coca-Cola!

We then took a dip into the mini waterfalls with natural water slides That really made my day! But we have to get back to Canlaon City it still takes around 40 minutes of travel on a bus.

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Canlaon City Party Time

The guide invited us to his cousin's house to spend the night. Had a great dinner, cleaned up, smelled fresh and clean. Then, the drinking session commence! Everyone got drunk and they lived happily ever after!

And oh.. We missed the 4 am Bus. I have to text my supervisor that I couldn't come to the office because something came up! Got on a bus to San Carlos City and then fast ferry to Toledo City, Cebu! This time we were feeling a bit of hungover but satisfied.

Conclusion

Of all the mountains that I have been in the Philippines, Mount Kanlaon is surely the best and will always go back as long as I have time and money. (We went back a year later. And a year later...)

TIPS

Some tips that I would like to share if you want to climb mountains in the Philippines. Make sure you have the basic items. I prefer going light packing. You can enjoy the hike more.

• Water - Take 2-3 Liters of water with you. Philippine Mountains are humid and hot. You get thirsty easily. Some mountains don't have a water source.
• Shelter - To protect from the elements. I used to bring a tent with me. I now carry a hammock and a tarp.
• Backpack - The lighter, the better.
• Sleeping Bag - For a good night sleep. ;)
• Clothing - It gets cold at night, especially in the high altitude mountains. It usually goes down to 10 degrees or even lower so you better bring with you a jacket. During the day, it is still recommended to wear quick drying clothes. Bring extra. It will rain!
• Footwear - Always wear shoes! There are lots on the market. A very important gear.
• Food - You don't have to cook the best meal. You can eat them when you are at the ground level. An easy to cook and light food would be awesome. Check your local shops. And make sure you bring a knife with you. A camp stove and pots can be shared within the group.
• Light - A headlamp, Flashlight or even the light on your smartphone. Make sure that you have enough battery.
• GPS/MAP - Also a must have. There are lots of apps online.
• GUIDE - Make sure that you hire a guide. Someone that knows the terrain.
• Optional - Rope, Liquors (you're welcome), Tissue Paper (you're welcome, again), Camera (of course for selfies documentation)

Don't forget to waterproof your gears with a dry bag or a cheap plastic bag. And make sure that someone knows where you are going and knows your estimated time you get back.

An Adventure Blog by @jamiz.

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