Mt. Bulusan is one of the best hiking destinations in the Philippines. A good ‘rough terrain’ beautified with diverse fauna and flora, spectacular views and geologic wonders; exemplified with natural hospitality of the people; and further enhanced with good eco-tourism management approach of the Local Government of Bulusan through AGAP Bulusan, Incorporated. If every ‘rough terrain endowed’ place in the country would follow the style of Hon. Michael Guysayko, eco-tourism would be far ‘more fun in the Philippines’.
Our recent climbed in Mt. Bulusan was in March 23-24, 2013. Prior to the climb, we did an advance registration by coordinating with Ms. Angela, On-line Customer Service Representative of Wild Boars Philippines (+63-939-377-35-02 / +63-927-268-06-09/ [email protected]). Upon receiving go-signal, we paid our registration fee through bank and satisfied all the needed registration requirements. The registration required some time and little sacrifice, but the rejoinder will be more!
Together with Ms. Jhelyn Relopez and Mr. William De Arca; I went to Bicol for a three-peak climb (Bulusan, Mayon and Pulog). We went to Legazpi City via Philtranco Bus, headed to Sorsogon City via van, and to Irosin via jeepney. Then, we had brief stop at Irosin to explore the vibrant town and eventually proceeded to Bulusan Lake via rented tricycle.
Our recent climbed in Mt. Bulusan was in March 23-24, 2013. Prior to the climb, we did an advance registration by coordinating with Ms. Angela, On-line Customer Service Representative of Wild Boars Philippines (+63-939-377-35-02 / +63-927-268-06-09/ [email protected]). Upon receiving go-signal, we paid our registration fee through bank and satisfied all the needed registration requirements. The registration required some time and little sacrifice, but the rejoinder will be more!
Together with Ms. Jhelyn Relopez and Mr. William De Arca; I went to Bicol for a three-peak climb (Bulusan, Mayon and Pulog). We went to Legazpi City via Philtranco Bus, headed to Sorsogon City via van, and to Irosin via jeepney. Then, we had brief stop at Irosin to explore the vibrant town and eventually proceeded to Bulusan Lake via rented tricycle.
Notes: A hiker from Manila may utilize buses which directly run to Sorsogon City or buses to Visayas which passes through Irosin, Sorsogon! Bulusan and Irosin are actually separate or distinct municipalities of Sorsogon. The town proper of Irosin is more accessible to Lake Bulusan (which is under the political jurisdiction of Municipaliy of Bulusan). Although, I would recommend for hikers to visit the town proper of Bulusan to further experience the warmness of the locals. |
We arrived in Lake Bulusan, the jump off point at around 12:30 PM. There was basic medical check-up (blood pressure and pulse rate checking); comprehensive orientation on Bulusan National Park; and of course, the personalized gesture of hospitality. They assigned Mang Badong (Mr. Salvador Fresto) as our guide who further explained our trekking schedule aided by a relief map on the banks of Bulusan Lake.
We headed to the trail end by crossing the lake with a kayak at around 1:20 PM and reached the trailhead after fifteen minutes. The initial phase of the trek was a relaxing gradually sloping trail chilled by thick forest; prettified with ‘natural sound effects’- chirping of various types of birds; and exemplified by meaningful stories of Mang Badong.
We headed to the trail end by crossing the lake with a kayak at around 1:20 PM and reached the trailhead after fifteen minutes. The initial phase of the trek was a relaxing gradually sloping trail chilled by thick forest; prettified with ‘natural sound effects’- chirping of various types of birds; and exemplified by meaningful stories of Mang Badong.
After two hours, we reached the ranger station and had a brief rest. At this point, we were surprised, we did not see any limatik! During my first Bulusan climb in March 1996, limatik were everywhere.
After another two hour of gradual ascend; we reached Aguingay Lake, the camp site where we are scheduled to spend the night. The view was so spectacular… the view of the volcano edifice was exemplified by the dramatic formation of fog. It was breath-taking… the gentle sound of the wind, the chirping birds and the chilling wind created a very solemn and enchanting atmosphere.
Obviously, the camp site is within a prehistoric eruption crater or caldera. The circular disposition of rugged terrains within the camp site overlapped by the current volcanic edifice shows that the existing Bulusan Volcano, in ‘slang term’ is a volcano within a volcano within a volcano. Mt. Bulusan seats inside the large Irosin Caldera, on top of Mt. Bulusan is another caldera (where Lake Aguingay is located) and from that caldera seats the current volcanic dome. The next day, we started trekking at around 4:30 AM where we once more enjoy the refreshing atmosphere of the forest… this time, the trail is now steep up to the shrubby area. After two-hour hike, we entered the grassy part of the trail where we enjoyed wild berries. There was no downward view due to the thick fog but as a consolation, we did not experience the scorching heat of the sun.
We reached the summit after another two hours. The smell of sulphur and strong downpour of rain greeted us in the summit! The situation and the absence of downhill view did not spoiled our joy in reaching the peak. Still, laughter and a bold ‘yahoo’ filled the air! Despite of the rain, we stayed at the peak for more than half of an hour.
The peak was so different now than the last time that I was in this mountain. Precisely because of the series of eruption that happened between 1996 and 2013. Bulusan was no longer the mountain that I knew before… but it was equally enchanting. Truly, every climb is a different experience… climbing same mountain again is not a ‘hiking redundancy’ but a totally different undertaking, a totally different adventure.
Unknown to my fellow hikers, I had something in my pocket. A small metal box holding an ounce of ashes of a very special person. In accordance to the person’s will; I dug a small whole and carefully interned the metal box while sincerely praying for his eternal repose and reminiscing the time when we climb Mt. Bulusan together few years ago. The lofty Mt. Bulusan is now one of this person’s tombstone.
The peak was so different now than the last time that I was in this mountain. Precisely because of the series of eruption that happened between 1996 and 2013. Bulusan was no longer the mountain that I knew before… but it was equally enchanting. Truly, every climb is a different experience… climbing same mountain again is not a ‘hiking redundancy’ but a totally different undertaking, a totally different adventure.
Unknown to my fellow hikers, I had something in my pocket. A small metal box holding an ounce of ashes of a very special person. In accordance to the person’s will; I dug a small whole and carefully interned the metal box while sincerely praying for his eternal repose and reminiscing the time when we climb Mt. Bulusan together few years ago. The lofty Mt. Bulusan is now one of this person’s tombstone.
The rain stopped when we are on our way down. Little by little, fog slowly revealed what’s downhill… at least for few seconds we have brief view of portions of the province of Sorsogon. Until thick fog, this time with no rain covered the whole vantage view. Nonetheless, it was our realization that perhaps, this mountain is letting us enjoy the beauty of the trail.
At 11:30 AM, we reached Lake Aguingay and immediately, we packed all our things and started descending to ranger station. We reached the ranger station after an hour and fulfilled our duty of planting trees. Then, we further trek downhill, this time using the overgrown logging road and reached ‘kilometer 0’ after another hour. We reached Lake Bulusan at around 3:45 PM and soothed with herbal foot massage and cheering gesture for completing the adventure. To cap the totality of hiking experience, a certificate was given to us. We almost decided to stay longer in Bulusan Lake than our schedule but we need to catch up the 5:00 PM mass at Irosin Catholic Church.
At 11:30 AM, we reached Lake Aguingay and immediately, we packed all our things and started descending to ranger station. We reached the ranger station after an hour and fulfilled our duty of planting trees. Then, we further trek downhill, this time using the overgrown logging road and reached ‘kilometer 0’ after another hour. We reached Lake Bulusan at around 3:45 PM and soothed with herbal foot massage and cheering gesture for completing the adventure. To cap the totality of hiking experience, a certificate was given to us. We almost decided to stay longer in Bulusan Lake than our schedule but we need to catch up the 5:00 PM mass at Irosin Catholic Church.
After the mass, we went back to Sorsogon City via rented tricycle with pondered heart for experiencing the caring nature and people of Bulusan. I shall be back in this mountain again not after ten years but soon… hopefully with Jhelyn, William and more mountaineering buddies who definitely deserve to experience one of the best hiking destinations of the country.