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.

Going to the peak

Sunrise

Kanlaon Peak adjacent to Makawiwili

Put your stone to know that you've been there

Ummmm...Viking tombstone

 

Ken2x n Pao2x

 P.S.

Mr. Kish a.k.a Teddy Tracker

Another adventure posted but don't sigh lots of coming pictures on our other ventures. Our teddy tracker is on the go to catch the precious moments.

Mt. Kan-irag: "...there is no path, paths are made by walking"

It was not sunny but the rain was not pouring cats and dogs so it was a good weather to start with but you'll definitely need your cover ups.

Ken2x and I had agreed to meet in the office @ 8-9 am because he have to prepare and help out in their house for the upcoming fiesta (wish I could go).  The 8-9 am became 10 am but its no race though so we've rode in a taxi while others were waiting in Julies (pan init) bakeshop. 

Lex T. (ever so ready guide/president/singer/photographer/everything), Clemente (trailblazer, photo conscious, animal lover?, has a half heart (according to him)), Ate Joyce (pink packer ;), wants to laugh amidst the steep and slippery when wet situation, crooks (beleb)), Noel (barnut guy, i just wanna sing " the first NOel... the angel did sing" its because I've known from Kend that he had won lot's of duathlon (wicked), silent but deadly in term of trekking and the I won't forget his DIMPLES) Gian (jack of the packers, deuter guy, noodle lover, he got everything, when I say everything really ALL), Kend (super observant, helper, water boy, my BAG GUY...ahmmm... MY GUY ♥)  and Christine & Paul (let's just call him Paul since am not really sure of his name) (the camera couple, smiling pair, doctor and teacher).

We went through by motorcycle then trek then climb, hop, slipped, stand, rest, talk, drink, trek and this time with the WILDLIFE encounter as of Lex (greyhound).  We were totally silent and arm to arm if encase the wildlife thingy comes out were all gonna ran as fast as we can.  Darn, many thoughts were racing in my head that time like maybe I could climb that tree or run down hill or the last resort would be "play dead".  Good thing it did not sense intruders and didn't even bother to go out and get some sniff.

Pretty to see but below the green grass are boulders of rocks

Now comes the steep walk and mind you I would rather climb steep trails but the going down was a tough work. They've given comfort words like there's no trekker that hasn't slipped but in my mind that time was NO WAY that am gonna slip. So that explains my incapability to think and analyze the route or the trail.  Comes, Kend as the handy guy and literally my feet was shaking.  And I know why right now am no good in running condition but what the heck its the after effect and it doesn't stop me at all, it makes me want to go and do MORE.

The most unforgettable climb ever in the whole trek was before the cocon/gardening/path surveying because it was no joke that you'll need to hold on in anything that you see, YES ANYTHING, as long as you wont go DOWN.  Mind you the soil is loose and the only thing that you could hold on are rocks not boulders its just maybe a thing for your hand to hold and lefty plants with not really hard trunks that you could say can support you.  In simple words, IT WAS CHALLENGING.  I did skip a heart beat before I did it and while am doing it my heart was throbbing fast super fast like faster than WRX speeding in the highway while the patrol car is on its tail (that's how fast it is). But the after effect was awesome, IT WAS AN ACHIEVEMENT, I could say (thumps up).

Dragon Mist

The relaxing part was when your on the top of the mountain and you could see the "sea of trees" (accd to Lex) and by that you could see the city and the foggy effect it makes.  Super nice, I couldn't explain myself and I couldn't contain any words to describe the scenery it was BREATHLESS.  The river was as well a good stop over it was calm and the sound it makes could relieve your tired muscles out from the down trek.

Ken2x going to the LUNCH BAR ;)

P.S.

Another trek and this time around its a camp out.

Looking forward stuff...

Got up early its because I have to (need it) and there was a weird face to face encounter with a "thing" that I just don't want to name at all (gross).

Okay, when I just got in the office, my co-worker just got this thing going on bout make-ups that are for sale which I was thinking that I'll just sort it out look at it and eventually give it back to her.  LOL, not reading the price because I know Maybelline, Revlon and all sorts of U.S. made products are way too costly for me.  Plus, I will reveal to you readers (even if there's still no followers as of it) that I don't know how to color my face.  Yes, you've heard it right, don't know but is trying.  Now the A-diction came when all this make-up thing was there and saw this Mango Tango lipstick which is whip rich and which I was thinking that I'll be just up to touching it but hold up... the price is just so sumptuous that I could say give me MORE!..She is straight up selling it at 160 php only, imagine how much that thing cost in the market?  My mind was like PAULA GRAB THAT THING AND DON'T YOU HESITATE.  That was my mind shouting which I got fed up and I 've bought two lipsticks.  The other one was for my mom, Wet n Wild ;). 

 

Now it was just like last week of last month that I was sooo2x interested on digital art that I was crapping my fingers just to search on how to do the basic but guess what I've decided that my medium would be a photo finished then comes the editing.  The tools needed are to be bought so I need laptop then I'll buy the editing tools as of now am trying to follow their feeds just to keep updated and know how to get my thing.  Sorry, artist never stop. :P (bummer).

Next stop was the oh so BB cream.  Seriously I need it and should have it.  There's nothing more that I'll be justifying here in my blog.  Eventhough am not 'kikay' but am a gurl too (sigh).

 

Last but will never be stopped is mountain climbing with bag packer freaks and specially with my papang ♥ (wink;kilig).  Will have practice climb every Sat. this May and by June is the grand climb in Mt. Kanlaun.  Yay, am not only excited but super duper ready.  Well, ready in my mind though but for the stuff to bring not yet. :( (bombs away).  I'll be posting my checklist later so that I wouldn't be amnesia bout it.

P.S.

My whole weekend in May is booked and I don't want to cancel any of them so better luck next month. Need to scamper now. Oh yeah, I do believe by next blog I'll be doing some extra lessons for Korean.  Am no Korean but have studied a little bout it.. Anneoyeong :)