Camiguin Island | From Summit to Sea, Off to White Island

The beach is calling, and I must go!
 
I am on the 6th day of my mid-year travel madness (halos isang linggo na pala akong wala sa bahay) and am starting to feel home sickness again. Sadyang hindi ata ako talaga para sa pang-mahabaang byahe. I miss the comfort of my bed and being in front of my PC. But I can't go home just yet. There's still one more destination in my list that I can't let past—the White Island of Camiguin.

Mt. Timpoong | Virgin at the Summit

When I visited Camiguin last year, my primary goal was to hike two of its mountains. One being Mt. Hibok-Hibok, and the other, which probably you haven't heard before, is Mt. Timpoong.

Rising at around 1,630 meters above sea level, Mt. Timpoong is the highest in the island province of Camiguin. But ironically, it has not received the attention it deserves, especially from the hiking community in the Philippines. Only a few attempts to climb this mountain, and most of them are foreign nationals. Probably because there is hardly any discussions about this mountain in the internet. I, myself, had a hard time researching for this mountain (thankfully, I found this article).

Anyway, I decided to include Mt. Timpoong in our itinerary because of three things: 1) it is the highest mountain in Camiguin Island; 2) Pinoy Mountaineer pushed me to; and lastly, 3) it is said that its summit is a virgin forest.

Camiguin Island | The Hot Spring, the Waterfall, and the Lanzones Tree

When this trip was still on the working table, I realized that a day would not suffice to see and experience the totality of island's charm and beauty. Camiguin Island may be the country's 2nd smallest province, but in terms of tourist hot spots or places which we can go adventurous, it is gargantuan.

Mt. Hibok-Hibok | Yumbing to Ardent Traverse Dayhike

Humans are, by nature, afraid of natural calamities, (i.e earthquake, typhoon, or volcanic eruption), so understandably, many would think that hiking an active volcano is nothing but a crazy idea, risks are much higher. For most of us, volcanoes are time bomb waiting for the big day to unleash destruction.

Mt. Hibok-Hibok, for instance, in the island of Camiguin, is an active volcano. In fact, it is one of the six volcanoes in the Philippines (along with Kanlaon, Bulusan and Pinatubo, which I've already hiked; as well as Taal and Mayon) that's being closely monitored by PHIVOLCS due to their highly dynamic volcanic activity. But despite the risks, I still chose to hike it when I visited Camiguin Province. I'm a crazy guy and am never turning down an opportunity to hike an active volcano. Living the life without involving risks is just so not me. I always yearn for thrill, and I think, hiking H2 would be thrilling.

(Note: Mt. Hibok-Hibok is the 4th volcano in my Bulkan series)

Camiguin Island | The Island Born of Fire

Despite the lack of good rest from the 3-day mountain adventure I just had [read the account of my Mt. Apo adventure here], I flew to Cagayan de Oro City the following morning to submit myself into yet another exciting trip. Camiguin Island in Northern Mindanao is the next travel destination.

En route to Cagayan de Oro. Davao City beneath the shadow of Mt. Apo.