Mt. Kanlaon | Guintubdan to Wasay Volcano Adventure

These volcanic adventures is getting more and more exciting as we go from one volcano to another. Just a week after climbing Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon, me and my friends flew to Negros Island to once again experience the geological wonders of a volcano. Mt. Kanlaon, an active volcano in the Island of Negros and the highest in Visayas, was our destination—my 40th mountain, and 3rd in my volcano quest.

Mt. Bulusan | Long Live the Volcano

In the world of Philippine mountaineering, active volcanoes such as Mayon, Pinatubo, Kanlaon, Taal, Bulusan, and a lot more (remember that the Philippine Islands sit prettily on the Pacific Ring of fire, thus active volcanoes abound) are just too interesting to ignore. Characterized by having a landscape that is varying and constantly being altered by its activities, these Earth vents have truly aroused my lust for adventure. Those wide craters, hot boiling springs, steaming vents and yellowish sulfuric terrains found on its surface really makes me want to visit a volcano, not to mention, volcanoes are also a haven of unusual ecosystems.

When I hiked Mt. Pinatubo last January 2012 and saw the lake that has accumulated on its caldera, I was simply stunned. It's really incredible, a geologic wonder, not doubt. Since then, I included the Philippine Volcanoes in my ever increasing bucketlist of must-climb mountains.

Well, for some reasons, it was only last April 2013 (after a year and three months) that I managed to climb again a volcano, and once again, I was totally blown away by the experience. Mt. Bulusan, an active volcano in the province of Sorsogon (last known eruption happened in 2010), is the second in my volcano quest.

Nagsasa Cove | A Quickie Beach Side Trip

Spending some time on a beach is probably the nicest, most rewarding activity to do after a long, hot, energy-draining trek on a mountain.

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Sunday - March 24, 2013

It really makes me happy that after spending hours trekking on the rugged steeps of  Mt. Balingkilat, under the heat of the midday sun, our team finally reached Nagsasa Beach. It's been a while since I last visited the place (an account of my 2012 trip in Nagsasa in this link). Almost none have changed, it is still the same beautiful, less commercialized beach that I always wanted.

after a long tiring hike in Mt. Balingkilat, we're finally having a laid-back afternoon at Nagsasa Beach.

Mt. Balingkilat | Traverse to Nagsasa Cove

To climb Mt. Balingkilat, or any mountain on that side of Luzon, on a hot summer day can be suicidal. The mountain will slowly drain your life away, every ATP you have in storage will be consumed, every fluid in your body will perish until you end up like a tuyo (dried fish).

Ok, I may be exaggerating now. But hey, that's what we felt when we climbed this mountain three months ago.