KINDS OF MOUNTAINEERS YOU MIGHT HAVE MET

Not all hikers view mountaineering the same way. While some are campaigning for nature preservation, some are just counting mountains they conquered. Some go to the mountains to ease their burden while some want to face the challenges ahead. Some want to socialize while some want quiet time. Mountaineers are ordinary people too. They have lots of differences. They do the same thing, but not the same way.  

What kind of mountaineers have you met along the trails? 

Here are kinds of mountaineers I've encountered from my personal mountaineering experiences:

1. SOCIABLE is everyone's friend. Whether he's the climb organizer or a mere guest, he has everyone's attention and sympathy. He loves to hike in battalion. He does climbing for socialization.

MALAYANAN FALLS: Simply Alluring

Malayanan Falls is the welcoming landmark of Barangay Malayanan, San Fernando Bukidnon. It is a multi-tiered waterfalls located right after the hanging bridge that crosses Pulangui River. The first drop is estimated to be 15 feet high. It has a pool for swimming. The second cascade that is gently crawling down a sloping rock is around 30 feet high. The third tier is just a mini-falls and is seldom visited. Malayanan Falls streams down joining the grand Pulangui River.

CABADIANGAN LAKE: Manmade yet Awesome

Cabadiangan Lake used to be unknown. Long before, it was not lake at all. It was just a swamp or marsh. The Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) of National Irrigation Authority (NIA) made this lovely body of water. This manmade lake supplies water to farms and fields nearby. 

BUKIDNON PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL MOUNTAIN CLEANUP 2017

Photo Credits: Hatred Kakashi

Last July 8, 2017, Bukidnon Green Warriors heeded the call of Pinoy Mountaineer for National Mountain Cleanup 2017. Bukidnon Green Warriors is an unofficial group of mountaineers who share the same passion of nature trekking. These trekkers also share the same sentiment on mountain commercialization resulting to littering, vandalism and other irresponsible acts by climbers and picnickers. 

NASULI SPRING RESORT: Naturally Enchanting

Nasuli Spring Resort is a natural pool located in serene forested area of Purok 1, Brgy. Bangcud, Malaybalay City. The resort is just 500 meters away from national highway. The cool, clear and calm pool has random springs gushing from holes of different depth, the deepest being 31 feet. Its original soil flooring is left untouched to preserve its natural feel. 

HOW TO GET THERE:
From CDO or Malaybalay, take a south bound bus. Alight at Nasuli, Brgy. Bangcud in front of INC church. Take a short hike to the resort.*

From Davao, take a bus bound for CDO. Alight at Nasuli, Brgy. Bangcud in front of INC church. Take a short hike to the resort.*

*Four wheel vehicles can enter the resort. 

To see more photos, please visit NASULI SPRING RESORT.
 

THINGS I LIKE AND DISLIKE ABOUT BORACAY ISLAND

Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan is famous worldwide because of its long stretch of white sand. Yes, the whole world knows Boracay. It is even tagged as "world's most beautiful tropical island", making it one of the major tourist destinations. Three barangays --- Bolabog, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak consist Boracay island, which totals to 1,038.82 hectares.

MY BIT OF HEAVEN MOMENTS WITH MT. APO

Since my childhood years, I have always seen Mt. Apo in an unreachable distance. Living at the foothills of Mt. Kalatungan, while working in our farm, I would be thankful to clear mornings unleashing the majesty of the country's highest summit entouraged by Mt. Matutum (South Cotabato) and Mt. Pianggayungan (Lanao del Sur). Back then, never in my dreams would I summit any of them. It never came to my mind.

All of the sudden, I became a mountaineer. I just love mountains!   

MT. APO REOPENS

Mt. Apo, the father of Philippine mountains, now reopens. The Philippines' highest mountain was closed early 2016 due to fire incident that damaged about 400 hectares forests. The fire allegedly started at the camp of irresponsible climbers. The 2015-2016 El Niño phenomenon caused drying up of grasses and other mountain vegetation which also resulted to damaging fire incidents in some other mountains like Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Kalatungan and more.

SQUASH MOUNTAIN: Small and Beautiful

Squash mountain is named after a squash where its form resembles. The mountain, estimated to be 400 meter high, is situated among sugarcane and pineapple fields in Maraymaray, Don Carlos, Bukidnon. Being isolated from among its surrounding hills makes it a prominent view added its unique squash-like form. 

MT. IRAYA: Philippines' Northernmost Summit

Mt. Iraya in Basco, Batanes, standing 1,009 meters ASL, catches every eye upon landing Basco airport in Batan Island. Due to its perpetual cap clouds, the forested mountain is moist all year round and it deprives most climbers the lowland view. Some say there's no clearing at the ever moist summit regardless of the season, thus, there's no summer in Mt. Iraya. Its trail is steep starting from its shoulder. Its summit is abundant with giant reeds. Batanes White viper is also endemic in the mountain.