A WILD ENCOUNTER WITH BABY OWL

 

A close up shot with baby owl. It was one of my best fauna shots in my many years of trekking. It was after an hour hike from Tunaan View Deck in Barangay Portulin, the site where we spent the night. This beautiful avian basked in an early morning sun along the trail heading to Mt. Kilakiron, one of the major summits of Mt. Kalatungan Range in Bukidnon.

Mt. Kilakiron can be accessed from Barangay Portulin, Pangantucan, Bukidnon. A climbing permit should be secured from Pangantucan Tourism Office.    

CLIMBING RATES OF BUKIDNON'S MAJOR MOUNTAINS

Bukidnon's major mountains are also the Philippines' major mountains. In fact, 4 of  Bukidnon's major summits are enlisted among the Philippines' Top 10 highest mountains. Mt. Dulangdulang ranks 2nd to Mt. Apo, Mt. Kitanglad ranks 4th, Mt. Kalatungan ranks 5th and Mt. Maagnaw ranks 8th. Other unaccounted summits include Mt. Kilakiron and Lumpanag in Kalatungan Range.

MY TOP 16 TREKKING MOMENTS OF 2016

My 2016 travels have been so meaningful.  This year I got to explore new wonderful sites in my province Bukidnon. I also had number of travels together with my little family. This is also the year I realized my dream of traveling to my ultimate travel destination---Batanes. 

MT. KALATUNGAN: Every Climb Seems the First Time

The fifth highest peak of the Philippines, Mt. Kalatungan towers 2,880 meters ASL in the heart of Bukidnon. Being in my town, this mountain is my playground. Every climb to the mountain seems like my first time. Among my countless treks to Mt. Kalatungan, I find the latest the most exciting and memorable because I did it guided solo, I controlled my own time, I did not stick to the original plan, I enjoyed spontaneity and I was governed by instant decisions.  And I find it truly worth sharing.

CLIMBING MT. KALATUNGAN: A Quick Guide

THE MOUNTAIN  

 Mt Kalatungan, a.k.a Catatungan, is a volcanic mountain in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao. PHIVOLCS has no recorded eruptions of this stratovolcano, yet classified potentially active. The mountain range stretches along the areas of Valencia, Maramag, Talakag and Pangantucan. The prominent summits are Kilakiron in Valencia and the twin Kalatungan and Lumpanag summits most accessible in Pangantucan.

MY TOP TREKKING MISADVENTURES

I've been to many places around the Philippines, honestly. I can brag for having summited its top 5 highest peaks, been to its majestic waterfalls, visited its famous lakes, done spelunking on its dangerous caves, basked on its white beaches, gone to its uncategorized wonders and a lot more. And many I did all alone...

Many of my treks, however, are unplanned. And I have been frustrated so many times--- like having failed to visit Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary because I haven't caught the right schedule of the boat from Coron, aborted climb to Mt. Lumot due to storm and many more...

INDEED, NOT EVERY VENTURE ENDS IN CLIMAX...
 
Some misfortunes are even life-threatening. I am, somehow, grateful that my mishaps can still be counted by my fingers.

Here are my top trekking misadventures:


TOP 7. Feasted on by leeches in Mt. Makiling. A solo trek where I was not indeed alone. These creeping vampires accompanied me to the peak, causing my BP to soar and my heart to palpitate even more.

LESSON: Apply repellents. Do not fear the leeches to calm your chest. Bear in mind that leeches are good for blood detoxifying (but bad for heart attack). Wahahaha!