Now, this post is really really late but I have to finish this in order to complete my initial climbing story. Hahahaha.
Anyway, I arrived in Canlaon City at 9:00 AM. There was no more time to waste because a very long trekking was ahead of us. So when I stepped home, I unloaded Viktor (my laptop) and hid it inside my mother's room. After that, we headed off to ride a motorcycle that would take us to Mapot (located at the foot of the volcano, where we would start walking). We paid Php70.00/head, btw.
Now, let the photos tell the rest of the story for you. I really have a problem gathering my thoughts after 8 hours of writing at work. Hahahaha. Basta. Mao na to siya. Anyway, enjoy.
For as long as the road allows passage of motorcycles, we never stopped driving.
The first few minutes of walking and damn, I was already tired. LOL
First stop: Lunch. It was raining; hence the fog.
The first of the many steep slopes. But that's just nothing compared to what we encountered later that day, the next day after that, and on the last day.
We saw plenty of wild strawberries at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon.
They tasted like strawberries--only sourer and more bitter. Hahahaha.
Entering the jungle.
More fog.
Fast forward. We did a lot of walking and climbing and crawling (?) under the rain, in the dark until we made camp in the middle of the thick forest. The next day:
Setting out for a long climb again. How unfashionable can I get? Haay. Anyway, meet Little Red Riding Hood. LOL
90-degree inclination, is that you?
The sun ain't shining on us.
Reached Mt. Makawiwili at around 11am. The volcano's on the other side pa. (Whew!)
Our guide, Jojo, waiting for the slow turtles (us).
Out of the jungle. Almost there.
Heading toward the shoulder of the Kanlaon Volcano.
Our camp. Overlooking the lagoon (the old crater, actually).
Isn't it breathtaking?
Mt. Kanlaon (which we're going to climb the next day).
The sun is about to set. The temperature's getting really low. :(
It's night time again. Time to heat ourselves up to avoid freezing.
Fast forward to Day 3. Woke up with the beautiful sunshine to greet us. Only that after a while, the thick clouds covered it for as long as we're up there. Grrr.
It's so great to wake up with this to lay our eyes at. :)
We're above the clouds. Literally.
And then the fog came running; our clothes started frosting. That's how freezing cold it was.
A boyband-ish pose before going to the crater.
The real danger is about to begin.
The wind was becoming stronger; the fog, thicker.
Resting. Holding on to rocks that could fall off any time.
We reached the top; that's the crater we're trying to look at.
It was too foggy. The crater could not be seen. Zero visibility. :(
Resting at the summit; the crater on our back.
With all the thick clouds and the strong wind, I felt like I was in Mt. Everest or so. LOL
Another pose before going down and heading to our camp.
Ray's mustache and jacket started to form frost.
Me with all the frost. (on the scarf and my jacket)
Iced People. LOL
My sister showing off her Yoga moves.
My shoes looked like this after going down and out the jungle. This was taken in a falls.
I was too tired from battling with the numerous slopes inclined at 80-90 degrees so I didn't have the guts to take photos. It was a case of survival.
Fast forward. . . After rinsing my shoes and changing into more comfortable clothes and wearing my slippers, we continued hiking through farms and rice fields--under the burning heat of the sun and with an empty stomach (except for a few mouthfuls of Chippy).
Officially out of the thick jungle.
The starving and exhausted me.
Took a break along with a group of mountaineers from Bacolod.
Had to endure a lot of walking.
. . . and some more.
The many farms that we had to pass through.
Ain't my hometown nothing but beautiful?
I saw this variety of the wild strawberry. . . or at least I was able to convince myself. I ate this, mind you. Don't blame me. I was hungry.
Mother carabao cooling herself down.
Hello, lunch!
Our last break before we met the other mountaineers in Brgy. Pula to travel back to the Canlaon City proper.
That was basically it. Now, take a look again at the stunning view up at 7, 989 feet.
If you are planning to climb up Mt. Kanlaon anytime soon, you can contact 09215606022 or e-mail jigzo_jigz@yahoo.com. Look for Diego. As of April 2011, he and his team charges P700.00 per day to guide you. Porter can also be hired at P350.00.
;)Labels: travel
