With the help of Biologist Angelo Vibar, the Ecotourism and PAMB Operations Officers of Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park. I was able to secure permit to climb Kanlaon Volcano on October 11-12, 2015.
In climbing the volcano, mountaineers are required to register before the scheduled climb to DENR-PENRO. Thus, days before my climb, I did send the requisite documents which could be downloaded at the Facebook page of Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park together with the registration fee to Sir Angelo via LBC. DENR-PENRO requires Letter of Intent, Booking Form, Mountaineer Information, and Notarized Waiver of Responsibility of the climbing party members. I personally suggest that during climbing season, booking be made at least three months prior to the expedition schedule. Please note that according to the natural park superintendent, “no one is allowed to enter the park for mountaineering without the approved permit”.
Right after the Heritage Summit in Silay City, my students and I went to Bacolod where we stayed in USLS and hosted by my good friend Ms. Bambie Rio. While my students are busy with their thesis, I went to La Carlota City, to experience Mt. Kanlaon.
I arrived in La Carlota City at around 9:15 PM after an hour of bus ride from Bacolod. I quickly bought supplies from 7-eleven store and look for any uniformed man to ask for the direction to Sitio Guintubdan. When I am about to approach the police mobile, it suddenly left. So, I decided to look for a trustworthy looking person. My instinct pointed me to a lady with a small child, it turned out to be the Ms. Ruth Paloma, an angel. She told me that it would be a gamble if I would travel to Sitio Guintubdan alone. But I professed that I really need to be there because I have only one whole daylight (next day) to climb the volcano. Ms. Ruth arranged a tricycle, whose driver was be Sonny Dela Cruz. Ms. Ruth assured me that Sonny is a trustworthy driver.
We left the city proper and travelled through the dark road passing through the vast sugarcane plantation. Along the way, we exchanged stories and laughter and enjoyed the cold breeze. We reached Guintubdan Pavilion, a decent and clean local government owned hospitality facilities where I met Rexson Pielda, the caretaker of the facility. The pavilion does not offer food, but at a reasonable price, you could somewhat ask the caretaker to prepare food… so, I ask them to cook a simple breakfast for me.
I woke up at 5:00 AM, proceeded to the pavilion for the breakfast. The downhill view from the mess hall was very beautiful. That made my simple breakfast special.
At 5:30 PM, Mr. Rexson fetched me to the jump off which is around 400 meters away from the pavilion where I met my Mr. Renato Limay (known in Guintubdan as “Gamay”), my guide. According to Kuya Gamay, a lot of wanderlusts and nature lovers visit the said place because it is home to a beautiful spring resorts and from the place, it would take only thirty minutes to reach the beautiful Buslugan Falls.
We left the city proper and travelled through the dark road passing through the vast sugarcane plantation. Along the way, we exchanged stories and laughter and enjoyed the cold breeze. We reached Guintubdan Pavilion, a decent and clean local government owned hospitality facilities where I met Rexson Pielda, the caretaker of the facility. The pavilion does not offer food, but at a reasonable price, you could somewhat ask the caretaker to prepare food… so, I ask them to cook a simple breakfast for me.
I woke up at 5:00 AM, proceeded to the pavilion for the breakfast. The downhill view from the mess hall was very beautiful. That made my simple breakfast special.
At 5:30 PM, Mr. Rexson fetched me to the jump off which is around 400 meters away from the pavilion where I met my Mr. Renato Limay (known in Guintubdan as “Gamay”), my guide. According to Kuya Gamay, a lot of wanderlusts and nature lovers visit the said place because it is home to a beautiful spring resorts and from the place, it would take only thirty minutes to reach the beautiful Buslugan Falls.
It was 6:15 AM when we left Kuya Gamay’s house to experience the wondrous rough terrain. We passed through fern overgrown gentle to moderately steep trail under misty secondary growth forest. The trail setting was almost similarly vibrant until we reached Buslugan Falls after 20 minutes.
The falls was very beautiful and as if tempting me to stay longer and enjoy the clean and vibrantly gushing water. For sure, a lot of wanderlusts would enjoy the uniqueness of the waterfalls. This cascade is an early treat for mountaineers, a natural wonder giving statement that there are more delightful scene beyond.
After few seeing Buslugan Falls, we push deeper to the vibrant jungle and met some hikers who are on their trail-run training. This time, the forest is much denser, fern are thicker and limatiks are numerous. Then, we passed through a wide flat but forested area before reaching the first camp at 8:20 AM where we met a group of locals who are on their trail-run training. We briefly stayed and rest in the camp and shared some words with the runners who are visibly very well-built.
The falls was very beautiful and as if tempting me to stay longer and enjoy the clean and vibrantly gushing water. For sure, a lot of wanderlusts would enjoy the uniqueness of the waterfalls. This cascade is an early treat for mountaineers, a natural wonder giving statement that there are more delightful scene beyond.
After few seeing Buslugan Falls, we push deeper to the vibrant jungle and met some hikers who are on their trail-run training. This time, the forest is much denser, fern are thicker and limatiks are numerous. Then, we passed through a wide flat but forested area before reaching the first camp at 8:20 AM where we met a group of locals who are on their trail-run training. We briefly stayed and rest in the camp and shared some words with the runners who are visibly very well-built.
After almost 5 minutes of rest, we then return to the trail and move further up traversing to the beautiful forest. We passed through some fallen logs but generally, the trail is very manageable. We arrived in the second camp, at 8:41 AM.
After camp 2, the trail became much steeper and the jungle is denser but still very manageable. Aside from that there are also series of gully crossing. There are also couple of steep assault which required grappling on protruding roots and rocks. We reached the infamous gully called “doctora”, the place where a female medical doctor was injured. The place was indeed dangerous and needs cautious steps especially when dealing with the slippery rocks.
After camp 2, the trail became much steeper and the jungle is denser but still very manageable. Aside from that there are also series of gully crossing. There are also couple of steep assault which required grappling on protruding roots and rocks. We reached the infamous gully called “doctora”, the place where a female medical doctor was injured. The place was indeed dangerous and needs cautious steps especially when dealing with the slippery rocks.
At 9:21 AM, we were already at 1,995 MASL; the crash site of a World War 2 fighter plane. In this area, the trees were smaller compared to the trail from the jump off to camp 2, a validation that we are indeed on a high altitude.
9:45 AM, we reached the place called Pagatpat which is at 1,200 MASL. This area is said to be 1.2 km away from the summit. The jungle is similar to that of the crash site, only that the place is bit mossy. Pagatpat is located on the ridge of prehistoric crater which is popularly known as Margaja Valley.
9:45 AM, we reached the place called Pagatpat which is at 1,200 MASL. This area is said to be 1.2 km away from the summit. The jungle is similar to that of the crash site, only that the place is bit mossy. Pagatpat is located on the ridge of prehistoric crater which is popularly known as Margaja Valley.
The valley was very beautiful… probably, this could be one of the best climbing spots in Kanlaon. I was tempted then to descend to this caldera but due to limited time, I decided to simply enjoy the view from the ridge where the crater lake, the majestic gullies from the nearby peaks, and greenness create a very dramatic scene.
At 10:09 AM, we reached the saddle… the view was very amazing! It was so delightful and captivating! We decided to rest in the saddle and enjoy our simple lunch while being mesmerized by the beautiful God’s masterpiece.
While having my lunch, I suddenly remembered my mother who is not aware that I was on top of Kanlaon Volcano. When I was a kid, because of my interest in geology, we always talk about volcanoes like Kanlaon. How I wish she was with me in this mountain. Probably, she would enjoy the place… I am not sure if she will be proud of me being here in Kanlaon because she never wanted me to be in mountaineering. But what can I do if her very inspiring and brilliant way of sharing knowledge about geography and natural sciences brought me in rough terrain? Well then, this climb is for my mom!
While having my lunch, I suddenly remembered my mother who is not aware that I was on top of Kanlaon Volcano. When I was a kid, because of my interest in geology, we always talk about volcanoes like Kanlaon. How I wish she was with me in this mountain. Probably, she would enjoy the place… I am not sure if she will be proud of me being here in Kanlaon because she never wanted me to be in mountaineering. But what can I do if her very inspiring and brilliant way of sharing knowledge about geography and natural sciences brought me in rough terrain? Well then, this climb is for my mom!
A very unique piece of nature’s masterpiece greeted us at 10:48! The unique feature of Lugud Crater made me little apprehensive but excited and delighted… while at the rim of the crater I can’t contain my brain from fearing sudden explosion. I suddenly remembered the time when Mt. Mayon erupted few days after our group successfully scaled the mountain. Nonetheless, I tried to keep the little anxiety and enjoyed the witnessing the geologic wonder. The crater was probably 200-meter deep and its rim is obviously characterized by compacted but unstable layers of rocks and sand. It would be very dangerous to sit or stand on its edge.
After barely 10 minutes of clearing, the clouds started to cover the whole view… and shower started pouring as if the volcano is saying that it’s our time to go because the show is over. We sat for a while and rest and focus our eyes to the beautiful Margaja Valley and waited for the group of trail runner which we left in camp 1 but no trace of trail runner showed after ten minutes of waiting.
After barely 10 minutes of clearing, the clouds started to cover the whole view… and shower started pouring as if the volcano is saying that it’s our time to go because the show is over. We sat for a while and rest and focus our eyes to the beautiful Margaja Valley and waited for the group of trail runner which we left in camp 1 but no trace of trail runner showed after ten minutes of waiting.
At 11:08, we started descending… we moved down slowly to enjoy the very picturesque view. I tried to keep on memorizing or preserving the scenery in my mind because I want to describe it vividly to my fellow mountaineers who are planning to climb Kanlaon in the coming months.
We then continue descending… we met the trail runners along Pagatpat Area, just like me, they are similarly amazed with the beauty of the place. We reached camp 2 at 12:10 PM and eventually camp 1 at around 12:50. We finally reached the jump off at around 1:55 PM, tired but very delighted.
After an hour of rest and I was fetch by Kuya Gamay’s nephew via motorcycle from Guintubdan in La Carlota City. I tried to contact Sonny and Ms. Ruth in La Carlota but the situation forbade me. Luckily, my almost empty powered phone was able to send message of thanks to them.
That 7.5- hour of intimate time with Kanlaon Natural Park is probably one of the best adventures since 1994.
We then continue descending… we met the trail runners along Pagatpat Area, just like me, they are similarly amazed with the beauty of the place. We reached camp 2 at 12:10 PM and eventually camp 1 at around 12:50. We finally reached the jump off at around 1:55 PM, tired but very delighted.
After an hour of rest and I was fetch by Kuya Gamay’s nephew via motorcycle from Guintubdan in La Carlota City. I tried to contact Sonny and Ms. Ruth in La Carlota but the situation forbade me. Luckily, my almost empty powered phone was able to send message of thanks to them.
That 7.5- hour of intimate time with Kanlaon Natural Park is probably one of the best adventures since 1994.