When I climbed my first mountain in the year 2011, I made Mt. Apo, the highest in the country, my ultimate goal. Came January 2013, and that goal has already been achieved (hurrah, an account of my Mt. Apo adventure in this link). At first, I thought I would stop climbing after I reached the highest peak, but no, my love for the mountains did not end [will never end] there. Days after the success of that climb, I started to crave for more mountains. The notion "I've done the highest, what's stopping me from climbing the rest" simply gives me the morale, enough reason not to stop venturing into other Philippine mountains.
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1. Mt. Iraya
It is my dream to reach the northernmost hikable mountain in the Philippines. But reaching it will not happen very soon as it is located in the province of Batanes, so remote and expensive.
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| Mt. Iraya Location: Batan Island, Batanes Elevation: 1,009 masl |
2. Mt. Mayon
I also dream of climbing the most perfect cone-shaped volcano in Albay. But again, this will not happen too soon because the local government temporarily closed the mountain for hiking. This is due to the recent volcanic activity that took 5 lives.
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| Mayon Volcano Location: Albay Elevation: 2,462 masl |
3. Taal Volcano
So near to Manila yet I haven't been to the crater of the volcano believed to be the smallest in the world. Hopefully within the year, I would go to Batangas and see its crater up close.
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| Taal Volcano Location: Batangas Elevation: 311 masl |
4. Bud Bongao
If there's a northernmost hikable mountain, then there must be a southernmost, of course. I would climb Bud Bungao once I set foot in the island province of Tawi-Tawi.
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| Bud Bongao Location: Bongao Island, Tawi-Tawi Elevation: 314 masl |
5. Mt. Guiting Guiting
They say Mt. Guiting Guiting, aka G2, in the island of Sibuyan is every mountaineer's dream mountain. Its breath taking knife edge (and difficulty) could make a mountaineer fall into silence.
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| Mt. Guiting Guiting (G2) Location: Sibuyan Island, Romblon Elevation: 2,048 masl |
6. Mt. Amuyao
I also wanted to climb this Cordillera mountain. A traverse from Barlig to Batad would be extremely awesome. Reaching the Rice Terraces of Batad (a UNESCO world heritage site) the hardest way is fun!
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| Mt. Amuyao Location: Ifugao Province Elevation: 2,702 masl |
7. Mt. Banahaw
It's a holy mountain according to many, I wonder why. Mt. Banahaw, the highest mountain in CALABARZON has never failed to tickle curiosity in me. So I really wanted to climb it too. Unfortunately though, this mountain is closed to hiking as of the moment.
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| Mt. Banahaw Location: Quezon Province Elevation: 2,158 masl |
8. Mt. Halcon
Knife edge, limatiks, wilderness of Mindoro Island, I want them all. I dream to climb Mt. Halcon in the future.
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| Mt. Halcon Location: Mindoro Oriental Elevation 2,582 masl |
There you go, my 8 dream climbs in the Philippines.
Hmmm...Ive'been in the G2, Bud Bungaoo f the above lists... Mt. Halcon was in the ultimate lists... Move on and see yah on the trails....
ReplyDeleteWow.. we share the same list except for Mt. Banahaw but we do dream of climbing it again..
ReplyDeleteYes, mountain climbing a hobby so hard to resist.. sabi nga.. once a mountaineer always a mountaineer.
Hope to join in one of your climbs.
Happy climbing :)
nice... i'm just wondrin kung bakit wala sa list ang Mt. Sicapoo traverse at Mt. mantalingajan traverse
ReplyDeleteSicapoo and Mantalingajan, those 9/9 mountains, might seem to be really exciting. But, hmm, how will I explain this? Let's just say, difficulty/challenge isn't really what I'm after. When I created this list, I was thinking of geographical significance, flaura/fauna, and heritage/culture :)
DeleteMaybe in the next wave of my dream climbs list, Manta and Sicapoo will be included.
Nice list, Ivan. See you on the trails.. I always dream of G2 but I'm not yet physically prepared. Still need to improve my endurance to stay long on the trail.
ReplyDeleteHello! Batang Lakwatsero......my name is padi....I am base in Batanes......if you have plans in coming to Batanes I can help you in providing the right information in exploring Batanes by yourself.......I can provide you with a map and which directions to follow in relation to target places.......also I could provide you with specific prices here so you have an idea how much money you need. I have climb Mt. Iraya before and I would say it would be safer if you have a guide.....also if you are interested in going to Itbayat......one way fare right now by plane from Basco to Itbayat is 1,200. pesos one way......another option is by boat......the fare is 600. pesos one way.......Another place of interest is going to Sabtang......fare by boat is 75. pesos one way.........the whole Batan Island can be explored by renting a bike or renting a motorcycle.........but if you are the energetic type......biking will be fine.....as for the airfare from Manila to Batanes........I recommend that you just wait for the promos or discounted fare by PAL express...Air Phils.....from time to time these airlines are offering it.......you have a very good stories and I could relate to that.......kasi gusto ko rin ang mag travel.......thank you very much for reading .....and all your questions, if you have are all welcome.......God bless you...
ReplyDeletehalos parehas tayo ng list ^__^ no. 1 ang halcon sa kin hehe! about mantalingajan, superb ang flora and fauna dun... definitely worth every hiking
ReplyDelete