Mt. Cinco Picos traverse to Silanguin Cove

After several cancellations, my long plan climb Cinco Picos that will traverse into Silanguin Cove finally went into fruition. I was really pushing for the climb to be spread into three days, the main reason was that I assumed that doing it on an overnight might put most of our time on the hike. Then have minimal time to enjoy the beach. But due to conflicts in schedule of the participants, we decided to go for two day hike.

As expected, the trail of Cinco Picos during our climb was very much different the last time I was here. It was the rainy season then and everything was green. It was even raining when we climb so it was cool during our climb. Compared to now, all of the surrounding were almost brown. And since the trail is between hills (valley like) there is no wind breeze, it was so humid and hot.

The traverse trail to Silanguin Cove starts from the Cinco Picos campsite. The start of the trail is very steep very much similar to nagsasa trail but is more decline. After a few minutes it will become a bit flat then later totally flat with trees covering the area. We reach the cove after around 10-11 hours hike with just enough rest in between. I even slept at the campsite since we arrived earlier than the time alloted in the IT. Since I was so sleepy due to the very early trek, I decided to take a power nap. hehehe. Thanks to our girl buddies who was surprising strong (though exhausted) that were able to stick to our IT.

To describe the beach, its much longer than Nagsasa (I think around 3KM) but narrower, well at least on the side that were at. The other side seems to be better (my hike mates went there to buy soda for 80 pesos!). Next time well try to stay on that side. The place is very much pristine, proof is that were the only ones during that time. We saw several rare sea creature, like a sea snake (c/o Tins olympus h20 cam). And there are sand dumpings on the beach from creatures we dont know and we didnt saw. Another proof that minimal people explore the beach is that we saw lots and lots of antlions. Which wont be able to thrive on sands that are usually step on.

I was really surprise we were able to enjoy the beach eventhough its just an overnight hike. I will surely go back to this place before it become another anawangin or nagasasa. Thanks hikemates for such a wonderful time.

The Gang

Bundok Dayungan

Hanjin Shipyard

ahhhhh...Silanguin Cove

The shore, beach and mountain

Reflections

Nice eh?

Mysterious Sh!t

Lots of them

Guardian Lion

Beach Life!

Mt. Maculot Traverse for a Bon Voyage Louise!

“All good things must come to end” as the saying goes. And with that, our French friend Jean-Louis two year stint in the Philippines is over. He’s going back to his homeland on December 22. We share the same passion for climbing, these brought our group together. Hes been with us for several past climbs including the infamous Guiting-guiting. To celebrate his departure, a friend organized a climb for him in the mountain which is grand yet easy to climb. Mt. Maculot . Its my first time to climb Mt. Maculot (traverse) during the rainy season. I never thought that it was very grassy during this time. I guess it is true that each climb of a Mountain is different, the trail differs and the trees grows.

We had a great time with your company Louis! Hope to climb with you again someday, even on another part of the world. Till next time!

A few more steps to the summit of G2.

Go ahead... Make my day!

Trying to ride a carabao in carabao island!

Last climb!

Gianne at Mt. Pico de Loro

I specifically organized this climb for Gianne. Me, being brought up in the countryside knows what she had been missing since she was mostly brought up in the city. I want her to see how nature as it is and give some awareness on how we can also conserve the environment. But I’m a bit wary of her physical capacity since Pico de Loro is more difficult than her first climb Manabu. To my surprise she was able to keep with our pace and still enjoy the trek. She was delighted to see mushrooms that she only saw on her books. And huge stones that was normal for me, but for her was totally extraordinary. When we reach the campsite several climbers were already there and were very surprised to see a kid with our group. I think the part that totally amazes them was that Gianne is not that exhausted, not like some of them specially the new climbers. This made here an instant celebrity. =D During our free and cook time she kept roaming the ridges looking at the view and playing around with the flowers and grasses. She said there were at least eight persons who took her picture.

With regards to the mountain status, I guess more climbers are visiting this mountain since the trail is wider now. There was minimal trash on the trail now but we saw several of it on the campsite, mostly on the hidden parts. Proof than more awareness is needed. I am really wondering whats the registration fee was for (DENR and Kubo).They should at least inform that climbers that they should bring down their trash. Geez….

By the way, two other climbers joined us for this climb. Special thanks to them for such a great time.

mushroom at the trail

Giant Gianne

Celebrity status =D

Mt. Kanlaon

No, I'm not in hiatus. There were just so many changes in my life (for the better) that I got too busy to write in my blog. It has been more than a month since my last climb. This mountain is Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental.

There are several trails in Mt. Kanlaon. You can climb via Wasay - Guintubdan, Guintubdan - Guintubdan and the unregulated Makawili trail. For us we used the Wasay - Guintubdan trail, though considered the most difficult, it is known to be the most rewarding. The trail normally starts in Mambucal resort, climbers usually stay here for an overnight and climb the next day. But for us, we opted to stay in the Rangers (Bantay Kanlaon) house. The place was around 30 minutes from Mambucal, its also the rangers place where we did the preparation for the climb of the first day.

The first day of climb started on a wide rocky road and immediately went on assault. After a few hours of walking will lead you to the PNOC private road. The elevation continued to rise until we reach around ~1300MASL. At this height I think we continually hiked for 3-4 hours. Put into consideration that there were four or five river crossings. Hiking up and down with the ground having very loose soil. Early on this part, my wifes shoes shows signs of retirement. Proof how difficult the trail was. At the end of the first day we reached the Junction camp. Very beautiful camp and spacious. It can be compared to Camp Goody of Mt. Apo but much much better.

early trail

limatik

Continuing our trek the next day involves passing the mossy-iest part of the mountain. Heck, I think this is the mossiest part of the Philippines! The trail involves passing into ardous space that we called hobbit holes. Its just like there were hazzards that you need to be nd then crawl then twist then immediately step up. Whew! But the forest was so mesmerizing, it seems to be untouched that lifts up your spirit removing your tiredness. You can compare this to the mossy t

rail of MakTrav, but also much much better. Adding beauty to the trail was that there are several Lakes, that had been named from the Mountaineering group that discovered them. Among them were PMS, SAMOK etc. There was also Harding Sangbalo (Garden of a Widow) which was also undescribable. similar the first day, when we reached around ~2100MASL we hiked for 3-4 hours with the height declining or rising. There was also a part that has 90 degrees inclination, adding difficulty was that the soil was also very loose. I think the only consolation here was that though the limatiks were abundant, they were not aggressive. We Camp at the Easter Saddle Camp that was just a few minutes away from the summit/crater.

Beautiful Harding Sang Balo

The trail was zig-zag!

Mossy isn't it?

90 degrees climb

Samok lake

Moss garden (my watch as the reference)

PMS lake

View from PMS lake

The other group in Margaja valley

The next day was the plan to see the summit/crater. But since it rained the previous night, there was no clearing! But thank God around 9am the wind stops and the cloud cleared! We had clearing and theres was sea of clouds! We enjoyed the s ummit (though very scary) took pictures then decided to go down. The first two days was via Wasay trail, the 3rd day was Guintubdan trail. Though the early part was similar to the Wasay 2nd day, the rest was just complete flat hike. But the trees was still very thick and tall. The time then was just 2pm it was as dark as 5pm! We reached the Guintubdan jumpoff still ahead of our schedule. Bragging aside, the locals was so amazed to s

ee us they called us 'DASIG'. Whats DASIG? Its for you to find out :P.

Summit at the background

Onward to the summit!

Sea of clouds?

Margaja Valley
Summit view while going up

The crater was a big "whoaaa"!!!

Cris peeking at the crater

Sitting beside the crater.

Steep huh?

Girls of team Dasig

Team Dasig!

Smiling above the clouds

Height in MASL, Margaja at the background

Going back to the campsite

Goodbye trusty shoes, and thanks Barry for the ductape.

A mountain, view from the airport.

I considered Kanlaon as one the climb I like the most, but also one of the most difficult. One factor adding to the difficulty was that you have to climb full packed for three days, and since most of your food supplies is with the guide/porter. Your load doesnt get light as the trek progresses. And because its a traverse, theres no way for you to leave some of your personal things. Its difficult but was very rewarding. Its not just the mountain that was perfect but the company (Go team DASIG!) the timing and the weather. And what a way to end our hike but with an INASAL dinner in Manokan Country of Bacolod. It has the best INASAL I have ever tasted. And my American friend can attest to that.