MY TOP 15 REMARKABLE TREKKING MOMENTS IN 2015

2015 is when my fatherhood takes into full swing. I may not have traveled as often as in previous years but places I've been to within my province and outside are all worth the visit. Here I am enumerating my top 15 remarkable trekking moments of the year.

Still the sweetest and most remarkable part of my trips is coming home to my loved ones safe and whole.

TOP 15. SOLO TREKKING TO MT. PALAOPAO

Mount Palaopao is Bukidnon's most accessible mountain next to Musuan Peak. After alighting from public ride, you may start trekking from the back of Sumilao public terminal in Kisolon, Sumilao, Bukidnon. Palaopao is a destination among religious pilgrims during Holy Week. The dead Paiyak Cave within range can also be visited. Plunging in cool Kulaman River is a bonus to trekkers. See one of my adventures at PALAOPAO HILL.

TOP 14. CARRYING MY NEW TREKKING BUDDY TO BARORAWON HILL

The smallest and easiest hill I climbed is among the most remarkable because it's my first climb together with my little trekero (trekito). He was so lively and enthusiastic when we ascended but fell into 2-hour deep sleep thereafter which started while we were descending.  

 TOP 13. EXPLORING AND LEARNING AT KI BATHALA GARDENS

It is a farm located in San Isidro, Talakag, Bukidnon owned by Kiefer family practicing permaculture. Among the farm's highlight is Stone House, pyramid house, carabao statue, interesting terrain, unceasing water source, different herbs, its adjacency to Kalawaig River and nature loving host. The farm also hosts the annual Luna Musikalawaig, a gathering of local and international artist offering tribute to the environment. See my adventures at KI BATHALA GARDENS.  

  

 TOP 12. REVISITING CEDAR FALLS SERIES

The falls in CEDAR, Impalutao, Impasugong never fail to excite me. Gantungan, Natigbasan and Dila Falls share no common river source. Other smaller falls are also worth visiting. Here's a simple guide to CEDAR. 

 TOP 11. GETTING WET IN KIBALABAG MULTI-FALLS

Kibalabag Falls is among the many falls of Brgy. Kibalabag, Malaybalay City. Others are Dumagongdong Falls and Katihan Falls. Katihan falls require extreme river trekking while the other two are easily accessed from the highway.

 TOP 10. TAKING SELFIE UNDER MAGUBO FALLS

It was my first time to visit Magubo Falls--- another wonder of Impasugong, Bukidnon. The trek was made with Earl, Malou and Edward with the help of Farmer Javey of Ant farm. I really enjoyed the trail's difficulty, much more taking selfie under the falls. 

 TOP 9. TAKING SIDE TRIP TO KALAMANSIG

Diving in an unplanned trip to west Sultan Kudarat makes it all worth it. I was on my way to Lake Sebu to spend a long weekend when I finally decided to pay side trip to this silent paradise. Kalamansig may not be famous but its tourist spots makes your visit truly amazing. Among them are Balot Island, Poral Beach and magnificent sunset. See my adventure at KALAMANSIG, SULTAN KUDARAT.  

 TOP 8. BASKING IN AGUTAYAN ISLAND

A white island close to Cagayn de Oro, Agutayan Island is a naked island in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. The island has wide sshallow waters where rich flora and starfishes abound. See my adventure at AGUTAYAN ISLAND.

 TOP 7. REVISITING MY PLAYGROUND MT. KALATUNGAN

I always miss my playground. I am so lucky to have the 5th highest peak of the country right in my hometown, Pangantucan, Bukidnon. Climbing to Mt. Kalatungan is a real treat on a non-working holiday. Here's a quick guide to CLIMBING MT. KALATUNGAN.

 TOP 6. EXPLORING SISIMAN BAY & TREKKING SAN MIGUEL PEAK

When I first saw posts about this bay in Mariveles, Bataan, I fell in love with it in an instant. The shore is blessed with pebbles and rocks. It's lighthouse is a good photo subject. And what captivated me the most is a lone rocky San Miguel Peak. See my adventures at SISIMAN BAY and SAN MIGUEL PEAK.

 TOP 5. REALIZING MY DREAM VISIT TO BANI FALLS

Another astonishing falls in North Cotabato is in Sitio Matigol, Katipunan, Arakan. It took years for me to realize my dream of visiting this falls in my neighboring province. Bani falls (aka Matigol Falls) has 5 tiers with random pools where you can jump, dive and soak in. The giant falls stands 500 meter high. See my adventure at BANI FALLS.

 TOP 4. GETTING AWED AT BALISBISAN FALLS

Who would have thought that below farm fields, exist rock heaps and water sprouts. Balisbisan falls randomly spreads along the cliff of Impasugong, Bukidnon. The falls is a tributary to the grand Atugan River. See my adventure at BALISBISAN FALLS.  

 TOP 3. WONDERING AT SINULOM FALLS

Another marvelous falls is on the rise. Clear waters wonderfully spurt in a hundred meter verdant cliff of Bukidnon. Sinulom falls, geographically located in San Isidro, Talakag, is most accessible in Brgy. Tignapoloan, Cagayan de Oro City. See a quick guide at TREKKING TO SINULOM FALLS.

 TOP 2. COMPLETING THE SEVEN (7) FALLS OF LAKE SEBU

When I say 7 falls, i really mean 7, not 3 nor 4. It feels so satisfying having completed the 7 series falls of Lake Sebu. After many attempts, I finally succeeded my quest in 2015. See how I made it at 7 FALLS OF LAKE SEBU: THE COMPLETE LIST.

 TOP 1. EXPERIENCING THE ONLY VERTICAL BIVOUAC IN THE PHILIPPINES

Definitely my best outdoor experience so far is bivouacking on a ledge of a 150 meter high rock cliff of Quezon, Bukidnon. See my adventure at VERTICAL BIVOUACK IN BUKIDNON.  

Again, I would like to say that the sweetest and most remarkable part of my every trip is coming home to my loved ones safe and whole.