... THAT MOMENT THAT CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE!
the recent climb
April 13, 2015; after a good
lunch from First Colonial Restaurant in Daraga, Albay, we proceeded to Barangay
Sabluyon in Ligao City, Albay to meet Tupe Ulayao, my godson, the one who will
guide our group (Coby, Cythia, Ramel and I) in climbing the challenging Mt.
Masaraga! I was bit anxious because of my last experience in this mountain that
almost took my life.
I realized that the moment was God’s-given opportunity, to try and
overcome the ‘feelings’ that knock and whisper in my mind whenever I think of
Mt. Masaraga. While preparing for the climb at Tupe’s house, I kept on looking
on the eyes and gestures of Coby, Ramel and especially Cynthia… they are all
excited! My companion’s mood was very positive and eager to experience the
challenges of Masaraga. I told myself that this time, I would be climbing again
with the lessons learned in my previous climb. This time, this climb would be a
symbolic hike of self-forgiveness and self-acceptance.
We arrived at Sabluyon at around 1:05 PM and immediately proceed to
Tupe’s house and registered our name at Barangay Guestbook and paid the
necessary climbing fee. We started trekking at around 1:30PM with a very
promising weather!
As expected, we consumed 30 minutes in gradual ascend along vegetable and abaca farms. Then, the trail became steeper until we reached the seven-stage assault where grappling and pulling-ups were required to deal with the terrain. There are two missing challenges that we did not face, the battalion of Limatik and the scorching sun (or the combined force of wind and rain)! We were lucky to have the best moment in climbing Mt. Masaraga!
As expected, we consumed 30 minutes in gradual ascend along vegetable and abaca farms. Then, the trail became steeper until we reached the seven-stage assault where grappling and pulling-ups were required to deal with the terrain. There are two missing challenges that we did not face, the battalion of Limatik and the scorching sun (or the combined force of wind and rain)! We were lucky to have the best moment in climbing Mt. Masaraga!
I was next to Tupe to reach the summit. The first thing that greeted
me on top was the very dramatic and picturesque view of the cloud formations
and shy but majestic Mayon Volcano. Sadly, after less than three minutes, the
whole peak was covered again with thick fog before my other companion reached
the peak.All of us were at the summit at around 4:00 PM… we waited for the clearing. I thought the situation will never give us a chance to see again the spectacular view but after more than ten minutes of patiently waiting (and even praying), the mountain and clouds gave us the chance to appreciate the beauty of the landscape of Albay! It was not totally sunny clear, but the clouds added drama to the picturesque landscape! The gestures of my fellow climbers (likewise mine), priceless!
We started to descend at 4:30 PM. It was already dark when we
reached the abaca farm but, with the joy and contentment in our heart and mind,
we courageously dealt with the dark trail and reached the trail head at around
7:00 PM. After tidying up, we proceed to Malinao, Albay for the next climb.
The previous climbs
In 1998, I was
asked by a friend from Oas, Albay to climb a certain Mt. Masaraga. I forgot the
exact date of the climb, I don’t have pictures or something that would
physically describe the climb except for some clear memories. My friend, with
his two good friends and I met in Oas, Albay. We proceed to certain barrio that
is part of Polangui, Albay. From that place, we trekked along rice fields,
coconut farm and would lands. The trail is from generally gradual to but steep
leading to a peak. Visible in the peak was Mayon Volcano that is being eclipsed
by another unknown peak that is seemingly connected by a saddle to the ‘Mt.
Masaraga’ that we climbed. Also visible is Mt. Malinao on the northeastern
portion, moutains and hills of Ligao on the Southwest and farther are Mt. Asog
and Mt. Isarog.
On December 20-23, 2013 my friends Glenn and Mark decided to explore some mountains in Bicol. Being a native of the region, I decided to choose familiar mountains such as Mt. Isarog, Mt. Asog and Mt. Maraga. We decided to take Mt. Isarog first, followed by Mt. Asog and Mt. Masaraga. After climbing Asog, we immediately proceeded to Ligao City. It was at around 7:00 AM when we met TupeOlayao (who could guide mountaineers in Mayon and Malinao as well; his contact number is 09393862565), our pre-arranged guide in Ligao City. I thought we would be using the trail in Polangui but this time, it was a different one… a trail that will start from Sabluyon, Ligao City. We went to Tupe’s residence, actually few meters away from his (Tupe) residence is the trailhead leading to the mountain. We registered in the Barangay through Tupe and paid 20.00 as climbing fee. We started climbing at around 8:00 AM, at this time we were greeted by the sun that is seemingly rising from the peak or crater of the nearby Mayon Volcano. The view was so spectacular!
We started with
a very good weather, it was sunny but then the upper portion of the mountain
was covered by thick fog. According to Tupe, the mountain is usually covered
and seldom visible due to its location (being surrounded by four more peaks).
In the first thirty minutes of the climb, the trail was gradual, the initial
part is covered with cogon grass while the upper portion is covered by abaca
and few trees. However, the adventure became a seven-stage steep assault which
was made more difficult by sudden downpour and limatik! The steep assault is
divided into seven stages which is demarcated by a narrow, sometimes two to
three-meter wide saddle where we had our regular rest. In every saddle, beyond
the fog; we always see a seemingly pointed terrain, as if it was the peak of
the mountain but only to realize after reaching it as another saddle… and once
again a new ‘peak’ would appear on the background! It happened not twice but
seven times! We dealt with this seven-stage steep climb under the heavy
downpour and strong wind. When we reached the peak, as expected, there was no
clear view. I was asked by my fellow climbers on why the mountain is far from
the one I’d discussed during our pre-climb meeting. All I answered that time
was “I don’t know… I am even wondering why the peak that we are then standing
on is very different from my first climb”. I thought Mt. Masaraga was just 700
to 800 MASL, but the reading on altimeter disclosed that it was 1,400 MASL.
We had our quick lunch at the peak… under the heavy rain and immediately descended. While on my way, something happened… a very deadly incident! While, descending on the fourth steep stage of the mountain, the bundle of cogon grass trunk that I was holding was shed off from the rainwater saturated soil. I quickly fell! Luckily, two to three meters below, I was able to grab some sturdy vines! For ten minutes I grappled and tried to go back to the trail… my tears fell out of nervousness!
We completed the hike for about six to seven hours!
After the climb, my two companions proceeded to Manila while I went to Camarines Norte, my home province. I checked the topographic map of Polangui, Oas and Ligao Area and I found out that there was minor peak on the Polangui side of Mt. Masaraga. By further checking from Google map, the real summit of Mt. Masaraga was the rugged terrain that I saw ‘eclipsing’ Mayon Volcano during my first climb in 1996… and this was the summit that we climbed! To be sure, I further checked the online pictures of the mountain taken from Ligao or Oas Area (Southwest)… there was actually the minor peak on Mt. Masaraga’s northwest flank and this was the one we assaulted in 1996.
Honestly, I did not feel some sort of fulfillment upon completing the climb… there was ‘inadequate joy’! The incident that happened enticed me to reflect... All the while, I thought I was already a seasoned climber, someone who is comprehensively equipped with technical know-how in the mountains… the incident, reminded me that I have lost my humility; and that at the end of the day, the mountain is not a pedestal of our pride and accomplishments but a rugged terrain that exclaims that ‘going down after reaching its peak is inevitable’. Mt. Masaraga reminded me that I can’t stay at the peak forever… the trail head is always waiting for my return, from there, I could look back and smile. The real celebration of one’s success is not at the peak but upon his return from that peak.
We completed the hike for about six to seven hours!
After the climb, my two companions proceeded to Manila while I went to Camarines Norte, my home province. I checked the topographic map of Polangui, Oas and Ligao Area and I found out that there was minor peak on the Polangui side of Mt. Masaraga. By further checking from Google map, the real summit of Mt. Masaraga was the rugged terrain that I saw ‘eclipsing’ Mayon Volcano during my first climb in 1996… and this was the summit that we climbed! To be sure, I further checked the online pictures of the mountain taken from Ligao or Oas Area (Southwest)… there was actually the minor peak on Mt. Masaraga’s northwest flank and this was the one we assaulted in 1996.
Honestly, I did not feel some sort of fulfillment upon completing the climb… there was ‘inadequate joy’! The incident that happened enticed me to reflect... All the while, I thought I was already a seasoned climber, someone who is comprehensively equipped with technical know-how in the mountains… the incident, reminded me that I have lost my humility; and that at the end of the day, the mountain is not a pedestal of our pride and accomplishments but a rugged terrain that exclaims that ‘going down after reaching its peak is inevitable’. Mt. Masaraga reminded me that I can’t stay at the peak forever… the trail head is always waiting for my return, from there, I could look back and smile. The real celebration of one’s success is not at the peak but upon his return from that peak.