Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Outdoor / Travel: Mt. Mayon, finally!
Outdoor / Travel: Mt. Mayon, finally!: Finally, after several years of waiting, Mt. Mayon is open. Well, it actually opened last 2015. I am not a professional mountain climber ...
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Mt. Mayon, finally!
Finally, after several years of waiting, Mt. Mayon is open. Well, it actually opened last 2015.
I am not a professional mountain climber yet but I guess I have been trained and have been able to get sufficient experience for the activity.
So much for the introduction, here's the basic info of Mt. Mayon:
(from www.pinoymountaineer.com)
MAYON VOLCANO (MT. MAYON)
Albay, Bicol Region
Major jumpoff: PHIVOLCS Office, Tabaco, Albay
LLA: 13°15′24″N; 123°41′6″E; 2462 MASL (#23)
Days required / Hours to summit: 3 days / 10-12 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 7/9, Trail class 2-5
We have scheduled the trek for the Holy Week of 2016. That was in March 24-26, 2016. And since it's on a Holy Week, we made sure that we have booked for our bus tickets few weeks earlier. (Good thing we did it 3 weeks before schedule as most of the buses were already fully booked.) We didn't have much choice but to grab what's available. We took Raymond bus line in Cubao, Quezon City.
We traveled March 23, 2016 at 6:30PM, from Metro Manila to Legazpi City. I will no longer tell much of what I went through to catch the 6:30PM trip since I still went to work in the morning of that day, went back home in Makati and traveled to Cubao to get on the bus, it was like Amazing Race! Good god, I made it on the dot! The bus is also set to leave on the dot. Whew!
So now, the travel. Again, emphasizing Holy Week travels, it took us about 16 hours of butt-aching trip. The bus also had frequent stops since it had a problem with a break fluid leak (gosh!). Since we don't want to miss some adventure, and it was still a bit early for us to be fetched by our contact person (Jay Ar), we decided to drop off in Cagsawa to see Cagsawa ruins and a quick view of Mt. Mayon. Then we had lunch by then. Oh by the way, the Sili Ice Cream is something not to miss here. There are also a lot of souvenir shops here.
By 12:30 we were picked up by Jay Ar, to send us to the jump off along with our assigned guides. A guide is really recommended for safety. Plus, this is an active volcano, it is just right to get someone who knows the ins and outs of the trail.
At about 1:30PM, we were already at the jump off area at Brgy. Lidong, Legazpi City. We did our final preparation and started our 2-hour trek. There, you will pass by the golf course. The heat was scorching as it was an open area, so no stopping for pictures on this place. LOL! After 2 hours we reached the campsite. Good thing is that there is water source near the campsite (not the flowing one though - just good enough).
After setting up everything and having eaten dinner, we just relaxed and then took an early rest for an early assault the following day.
At 2:00 AM, we prepared ourselves for the assault. So don't forget your night trekking equipment. Plus, our guide was extra cautious of possible presence of snakes (cobra or python). Yikes!
By 4:45AM, we were able to reach camp 2, but our guide said it shouldn't be called Camp 2, since you cannot really camp there. It is a steep area of hardened lava. (That's me, munching on my trail food. Yeah, don't forget lots of trail food, and water of course!)
So the ascent goes on you will feel a bit exhausted but you will be thrilled with this amazing sunrise view.
Below is the trail of hardened lava. The wind also blows cold air, so if you easily get cold, better bring a windbreaker. I did! "Camp 2" also looked like this. So it should be called Level 2, as it is impossible to camp here. Plus, if rocks will fall, you surely are a hit!
So, laban lang, the long trek goes on. We're heading for level 3, but before you reach there, there is a short rock climbing part. Our guide, Darwin set up some bagging for an easier climb, but I chose not to hold on to it. (feeling strong lang! haha) I know I can do it!
Upon reaching level 3, there's already 2 to 3 hours left to climb up Knife Edge, the farthest you could go with Lidong trail. DOT and PHILVOLCS is not yet keen on having it reached by mountaineers because of its activity.
I am not a professional mountain climber yet but I guess I have been trained and have been able to get sufficient experience for the activity.
So much for the introduction, here's the basic info of Mt. Mayon:
(from www.pinoymountaineer.com)
MAYON VOLCANO (MT. MAYON)
Albay, Bicol Region
Major jumpoff: PHIVOLCS Office, Tabaco, Albay
LLA: 13°15′24″N; 123°41′6″E; 2462 MASL (#23)
Days required / Hours to summit: 3 days / 10-12 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 7/9, Trail class 2-5
We have scheduled the trek for the Holy Week of 2016. That was in March 24-26, 2016. And since it's on a Holy Week, we made sure that we have booked for our bus tickets few weeks earlier. (Good thing we did it 3 weeks before schedule as most of the buses were already fully booked.) We didn't have much choice but to grab what's available. We took Raymond bus line in Cubao, Quezon City.
We traveled March 23, 2016 at 6:30PM, from Metro Manila to Legazpi City. I will no longer tell much of what I went through to catch the 6:30PM trip since I still went to work in the morning of that day, went back home in Makati and traveled to Cubao to get on the bus, it was like Amazing Race! Good god, I made it on the dot! The bus is also set to leave on the dot. Whew!
So now, the travel. Again, emphasizing Holy Week travels, it took us about 16 hours of butt-aching trip. The bus also had frequent stops since it had a problem with a break fluid leak (gosh!). Since we don't want to miss some adventure, and it was still a bit early for us to be fetched by our contact person (Jay Ar), we decided to drop off in Cagsawa to see Cagsawa ruins and a quick view of Mt. Mayon. Then we had lunch by then. Oh by the way, the Sili Ice Cream is something not to miss here. There are also a lot of souvenir shops here.
 |
| Look at the many tourists... |
By 12:30 we were picked up by Jay Ar, to send us to the jump off along with our assigned guides. A guide is really recommended for safety. Plus, this is an active volcano, it is just right to get someone who knows the ins and outs of the trail.
At about 1:30PM, we were already at the jump off area at Brgy. Lidong, Legazpi City. We did our final preparation and started our 2-hour trek. There, you will pass by the golf course. The heat was scorching as it was an open area, so no stopping for pictures on this place. LOL! After 2 hours we reached the campsite. Good thing is that there is water source near the campsite (not the flowing one though - just good enough).
 |
| There's also a barracks on the campsite. |
At 2:00 AM, we prepared ourselves for the assault. So don't forget your night trekking equipment. Plus, our guide was extra cautious of possible presence of snakes (cobra or python). Yikes!
By 4:45AM, we were able to reach camp 2, but our guide said it shouldn't be called Camp 2, since you cannot really camp there. It is a steep area of hardened lava. (That's me, munching on my trail food. Yeah, don't forget lots of trail food, and water of course!)
So the ascent goes on you will feel a bit exhausted but you will be thrilled with this amazing sunrise view.
 |
| You'd forget you're tired after seeing this! |
Below is the trail of hardened lava. The wind also blows cold air, so if you easily get cold, better bring a windbreaker. I did! "Camp 2" also looked like this. So it should be called Level 2, as it is impossible to camp here. Plus, if rocks will fall, you surely are a hit!
 |
| The hardened lava trail. |
 |
Wala lang, emotera pose. Kind of taking a short rest. LOL!
|
 |
| Rock Climbing part |
 |
| Look at that! If you fall, you fall! |
Going further up, Kuya Darwin's team set up an orange flag before to mark a certain part near Knife edge. That's Kuya Darwin beside me (photo above). On this area, you have to be very careful as the rocks are really loose. One wrong move you make and you'll go all the way down... all the way!
At about 8:45am, almost 7 hours of trekking, we reached Knife Edge. And it's a whoooa!!! There's a close look of the crater and the "edge".
We were only allowed to stay for 5 minutes in the area. By then, we went back to the orange flag to have breakfast. I was very hungry already!!! Then we head down.
And yes, by 2PM, we were able to make it safely to the campsite. That was 12 hours of walking, climbing, an durugang tuhod trail. We had late lunch when we reached the campsite. Then we break camp and started our descent to the jump off by 3:30PM. We were able to reach the jump off at 5:15PM. It wouldn't be safe to go beyond these hours as snakes will start to come out already.
So here's the summary:
Day 0
6:30 PM - ETD of Raymond Bus (Araneta Cubao Station)
Day 1
10:30 AM - ETA at Cagsawa Ruins / lunch
12:30 PM - picked up and proceeded to jump off
1:30 PM - Start trek to Campsite
3:30 PM - Arrival at Campsite
9:00 PM - lights off
Day 2
2:00 AM - prepare for assault to Knife Edge
4:45 AM - ETA Level 2
6:45 AM - ETA Level 3
8:45 AM - ETA Knife Edge
9:15 AM - breakfast at the orange flag
9:45 AM - start descent
2:00 PM - ETA at campsite / lunch
3:30 PM - ETD to jump off
5:15 PM - ETA jump off
Also, as discussed with our guide and some mountaineers during the short socials, there are other side trips in Legazpi. There is a recently discovered underground cave (just like in Palawan) and also there is Bohol Chocolate Hills-like hills. You may want to see it as well!
Lastly, as I was preparing for this mountain, it took me a while to find a contact person. I called up PHIVOLCS to check if Mayon is already open after to 2013 incident. You also have to call up DOT-Legazpi to coordinate, (052) 435 0085. Luckily I was able to locate Jay Ar Rey for the arrangement. You may contact him to secure a guide and transportation as well. Please see below:
Contact Person: Jay Ar Rey - 0939-3676510 (smart) 0916-9292305 (globe)
Guide: Darwin Loquinario - 0907-6953096
 | |
| See the rocks?! Careful is the word. We're almost there! |
 |
| Abot kamay na ang crater! It's the one on the right side of this picture. |
 | ||
| Look below, that is the fall on Knife Edge! |
We were only allowed to stay for 5 minutes in the area. By then, we went back to the orange flag to have breakfast. I was very hungry already!!! Then we head down.
 |
| Going down is much more challenging! |
 |
| Down... down... down... |
And yes, by 2PM, we were able to make it safely to the campsite. That was 12 hours of walking, climbing, an durugang tuhod trail. We had late lunch when we reached the campsite. Then we break camp and started our descent to the jump off by 3:30PM. We were able to reach the jump off at 5:15PM. It wouldn't be safe to go beyond these hours as snakes will start to come out already.
 |
| Done, at last! My obligatory Gatorade pose... And yeah, this was the golf course area. |
Day 0
6:30 PM - ETD of Raymond Bus (Araneta Cubao Station)
Day 1
10:30 AM - ETA at Cagsawa Ruins / lunch
12:30 PM - picked up and proceeded to jump off
1:30 PM - Start trek to Campsite
3:30 PM - Arrival at Campsite
9:00 PM - lights off
Day 2
2:00 AM - prepare for assault to Knife Edge
4:45 AM - ETA Level 2
6:45 AM - ETA Level 3
8:45 AM - ETA Knife Edge
9:15 AM - breakfast at the orange flag
9:45 AM - start descent
2:00 PM - ETA at campsite / lunch
3:30 PM - ETD to jump off
5:15 PM - ETA jump off
Also, as discussed with our guide and some mountaineers during the short socials, there are other side trips in Legazpi. There is a recently discovered underground cave (just like in Palawan) and also there is Bohol Chocolate Hills-like hills. You may want to see it as well!
Lastly, as I was preparing for this mountain, it took me a while to find a contact person. I called up PHIVOLCS to check if Mayon is already open after to 2013 incident. You also have to call up DOT-Legazpi to coordinate, (052) 435 0085. Luckily I was able to locate Jay Ar Rey for the arrangement. You may contact him to secure a guide and transportation as well. Please see below:
Contact Person: Jay Ar Rey - 0939-3676510 (smart) 0916-9292305 (globe)
Guide: Darwin Loquinario - 0907-6953096
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