KISH...: Mt. Kanlaon: Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.

As it has been planned by the ZETS group, our June destination was Mt. Kanlaon. The said active volcano is at the moment hibernating in the lush lands of Negros Occidental. During the meetings I was just like listening and eventually on the 2nd day before the trip, it dunned to me that I should be up on my thinking hat and search what is really with Mt. Kanlaon (aside from branding it as the 2nd highest mountain in Visayas) that makes every outdoor enthusiast go. Viola! the history of the said volcano towards its visitors and its habitat were no joke.

Technically and historically speaking, Mt. Kanlaon is a stratovolcano. It's characteristics are conical, steep and periodic/explosive eruptions, composite volcanoes, just like the famous Krakatoa and the epic Vesuvius (darn just the historical re-enactment of the Vesuvius was enough for me). Now, Mt. Kanlaon measures 2,345 m/30km base diameter. There are 3 hot springs surrounding the volcano, Mambucal, Bucalan and Bungol. Adjacent mountains are Mt. Silay and Mt. Mandalagan. The volcano had erupted for 25 times already since 1886 (my mom and dad haven't met this time; am still a bacteria...LOL). Though the eruptions where just phreatic or moderate but on Aug. 10, 1996 it had unleashed its furry without warning and killed 2 mountaineers (1 Brit. & 1 Fil). Last June 3, 2006 Phivolcs had announced an Alert level 1 to Mt. Kanlaon hence on the preceding years earthquakes has been recorded (Aug. 23-Sept. 01, 2009). Most of the said information were taken from Wiki but were outlined by yours truly (hehehe).

Mt. Kanlaon's peak taken below the peak

So after I've read the article, I thoughtful assess myself if I am ready or just want to go because I don't want to miss the sights and its my first MAJOR2X CLIMB (yes after Mt. Kan-irag this is it). Am not an adrenaline junky myself but am not the princess type, I really100x like to travel and talk to different people and know their culture (that's why my first ambition was to become a journalist). Anyhow, I've already decided to go (Lex: gogogogogo) and besides Kend is very much excited because its our first major climb together plus we've bought a new bag, d Deuter bag (wink2x). Everything was set and all we need was the approval from my papa. At first he was like NO 'coz there were like militants and so on but eventually had said YES (yay!phew that was close).

Deuter bag: Ready as evah

Our meet up was in Citilink hence will be going to Toledo pier through V-hire and from there will be riding a boat going to San Carlos. From San Carlos City will be riding a Ceres Bus going to Kanlaon district. While were in Toledo pier at around 10pm, we've made are nappy time in our ever so grandeous bed, by the sideways (establishments were close). Plus, we had at the side a not so needed entertainment (people gettin' drunk and blasting there sounds off the hook). Thank you for giving us a ROCKIN' LULLABY, we surely have snoozed our eyes out with black under bags (bunch of insensitive and inconsiderate muggles). And came Sunrise, time to freshen up. The boat going to San Carlos City was a slow poke it was a 1 hour + ride and it feels like were inside an incubator (♫its gettin' hot in here♫). The Ceres bus ride was the one that I've enjoyed the most hence I've took lots of pictures and it was the first time that I've noticed that I've got something for curvy roads, I just like them (wwweeeeee).

Adjacent sunrise of Mt. Kanlaon

Toledo Pier: going for a boat ride

That's Eduy & Jufe: trisikad ride before the bus ride =)

San Carlos City

Now comes the climb, the group were divided into 2 groups and our grouped were comprised of Ayanz (TL), Te Joy (asst. TL), Te Josel, Aaron, Jufe, Warner, Gian, Kend & I plus the guide (thumbs up for him). The second group were comprised of Lex, Clemente, Eduy, Christian, Noel, Hazel (only girl in the group; hmmm. reminded me of Rihannas song =)). The second group were heading a different route so its trail blazing time. Our group had our first camp at Mapot then continued our journey to the mushy rainforest of Kutitap then going to the cogony (that is my adjective for the parts were lots of cogons are seen) shoulder of Mt. Kanlaon, Makawiwili which the second group when we have arrived were already there. Adjacent to there campsite was the peak and below is the hot spring which you shouldn't forget to watch your steps hence its only an inch away that you'll fall your way down (byersss; no jump shot photos were taken and allowed; LOL). Everyone is excited to go to the peak so we got our asses up and go to the shoulder so that on the day ahead will be trekking to Mt. Kanlaon's peak.

As we were heading to San Carlos City

Preparing to our first camp

Rest mode

1st Camp site: Mapot

During the trek

2nd Camp site: Makawiwili

When we were ascending to the peak, were very much hopeful that it would be clear but eventually it was foggy and strong winds sometimes pass us. But still it didn't break our hearts since we've managed to appreciate the opportunity that were experiencing right now. We went down and our trail was changed to Pula (my exit point and coincidence enough yah' think?) the only description that we've heard was it was the shortcut going down so I was like in Lex mode, gogogogogo and to my surprise and shock it was indeed a shortcut hence its steep and its 80ish degree angle thing. Trust me I wasn't only using my feet but both of my hands as well and my butt (darn wish they've just created a sueslide there), plus there were annoying bugs hovering our eyes, the said bugs, bugged you while your trying to figure out how to manage to go down (Ate Joseil said they were the fairies). After the exhausting downhill, I've heard from the guide that the trail that we've made on our exit was the dangerous of the path and we were the ones who made the trail coz there were no established trail or path. After the adventure there's the achievement. Where you can't imagine in your whole life that you've been there because the ascend and descend was not as easy as counting blue cars as what Dishwalla had sung. All I can say is that its worth it and I want MORE! (ambishiosa; eventhough my toenails were both dead). More pictures for your eyes to feast on.