Mayon is definitely the most beautiful, mysterious and picturesque mountain geometry. No other mountain could match its majestic form. It was the 'backdrop' of my colorful 5-year college life.
I tried to climbed Mayon many times since 1997. In my first, I only managed to reach camp 1; in my second attempt, I made it on the crater but the 5-minute summit experience is unsatisfying; in my third, i was advised not to push; in my fourth, we reached reached 1,800 MASL mark; and fifth was in the 'knife edge'; and the last one brought me back to summit but without any souvenir picture.
If I would be asked if I have plan to return to this mountain again, my answer would be a big NO. I don't want to mess with Gov. Joey Salceda anymore. Kidding aside, I guess my past experiences, worse and better, were enough to say, my intimate story with Mayon was already completed.
Mayon's trail, specifically the Sitio-Sabluyon Trail and the traditional Bonga Trail is in very ideal condition, established but not too scarred. The vibrancy of ecosystem despite of usual volcanic eruptions is pleasing to nature-loving hearts. The flora and fauna, the 'stories' of the gullies, the black rocks and sand, the wild berries, the shrubs, the trees, the downhill view, the city lights, the view of the ocean, the unique summit landscape and the sulfuric fumes; all could pound one's heart, of joy or fear!
Probably, my last hike in Mayon was the most 'anxious' among my climbs since 1994...definitely because the mountain could erupt anytime, and I was all alone and no one will rescue me if something happen because no one knew that I was there. When I reached the peak; it was too hot and the sulfuric gas is sizzling so loud. When i suddenly heard 'crackling' sound and rocks began to move in one of the portion of the lava dome, I immediately descended. My pounding heart was calmed only when I reached camp 3, and but still, from there, I literally ran down to be at the trail head as fast as I can, just to be sure. Between camp 1 and camp 2, I met a farmer who visibly became anxious upon seeing me... he then ran with me as well without even asking me about what i saw or heard up there. When we reached camp 1, the farmer asked me if I ran because of the tremor... That's the time I realized that the man ran because of a tremor which I never felt because I am almost nonstop running to get to the trail head fast.
I will never forget Mayon... this mountain witnessed my journey in achieving my dream of being an architect. This mountain served as the stage backdrop of my 5-year long real life drama in Legazpi City. When the time comes, when my energy can no longer enough push a step, I would love to simply stare in this majestic volcano and reminisce the best years of my life... my struggles, pains, joys and triumphs.
I tried to climbed Mayon many times since 1997. In my first, I only managed to reach camp 1; in my second attempt, I made it on the crater but the 5-minute summit experience is unsatisfying; in my third, i was advised not to push; in my fourth, we reached reached 1,800 MASL mark; and fifth was in the 'knife edge'; and the last one brought me back to summit but without any souvenir picture.
If I would be asked if I have plan to return to this mountain again, my answer would be a big NO. I don't want to mess with Gov. Joey Salceda anymore. Kidding aside, I guess my past experiences, worse and better, were enough to say, my intimate story with Mayon was already completed.
Mayon's trail, specifically the Sitio-Sabluyon Trail and the traditional Bonga Trail is in very ideal condition, established but not too scarred. The vibrancy of ecosystem despite of usual volcanic eruptions is pleasing to nature-loving hearts. The flora and fauna, the 'stories' of the gullies, the black rocks and sand, the wild berries, the shrubs, the trees, the downhill view, the city lights, the view of the ocean, the unique summit landscape and the sulfuric fumes; all could pound one's heart, of joy or fear!
Probably, my last hike in Mayon was the most 'anxious' among my climbs since 1994...definitely because the mountain could erupt anytime, and I was all alone and no one will rescue me if something happen because no one knew that I was there. When I reached the peak; it was too hot and the sulfuric gas is sizzling so loud. When i suddenly heard 'crackling' sound and rocks began to move in one of the portion of the lava dome, I immediately descended. My pounding heart was calmed only when I reached camp 3, and but still, from there, I literally ran down to be at the trail head as fast as I can, just to be sure. Between camp 1 and camp 2, I met a farmer who visibly became anxious upon seeing me... he then ran with me as well without even asking me about what i saw or heard up there. When we reached camp 1, the farmer asked me if I ran because of the tremor... That's the time I realized that the man ran because of a tremor which I never felt because I am almost nonstop running to get to the trail head fast.
I will never forget Mayon... this mountain witnessed my journey in achieving my dream of being an architect. This mountain served as the stage backdrop of my 5-year long real life drama in Legazpi City. When the time comes, when my energy can no longer enough push a step, I would love to simply stare in this majestic volcano and reminisce the best years of my life... my struggles, pains, joys and triumphs.