Mt. Kanlaon - Tramping Advisory (Alert Level 1 due to volcanic unrest)

Mt. Kanlaon, one of the most active volcanoes here in the Philippines has been put on Alert Level 1 status by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) because of volcanic earthquakes and moderate emission of white steam and plumes at least 150 meters above its summit crater.

Alert Level 1 means that Mt. Kanlaon is at an abnormal condition and is in a period of current unrest.

 

The Phivolcs further stressed that entry into Kanlaon's 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited because of the possible occurrence of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions. In other words, hiking up this venerable peak in the Visayas is banned until further notice by the authorities.

Please refer to the website of the Phivolcs or to its Facebook.PHIVOLCS page for further updates.

*Credits to the Phivolcs for the photos / or to the owner if there is one.



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Mt. Kanlaon - Alert Level 1

Mt. Pulag - Tramping Advisory (Medical Clearance / Certificate as a mandatory requirement for climbing)

The Office of the Mt. Pulag National Park Superintendent issued a directive mandating climbers/hikers/mountaineers to secure a medical clearance/certificate from a licensed physician before being allowed to hike up Luzon's highest peak, which incidentally is also one of the most famous tramping grounds here in the Philippines.

*** As per the Park Superintendent, personal waivers (such as those being required by some climb organizers) will not suffice for the purpose for which the medical certificate is mandated.

For more updated information, you may access the Facebook Account of the Mt. Pulag National Park / Mt-Pulag-National-Park-Bulletin or call Sir Roy at +63 929 166 8864


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Medical Clearance/Certificate


***Update as of 012.013.015

As personally confirmed during our Outreach Climb, there is a doctor near the Ranger Station in Bokod, Benguet who issues medical certificates for PhP50.00. However, a lot of would-be climbers usually line up just to get one.

PaSkookum 2015 - Cordillera (Kabayan, Benguet)

"A simple act of kindness creates an endless ripple."

As the season to be jolly is fast approaching, the Skookum Mountaineers invite you to participate in its annual outreach program as they go up north and bring smiles to the students of Doacan Primary School in Brgy. Doacan, Kabayan, Benguet (Akiki Trail jumpoff of Mt. Pulag) this coming December 12-14 2015.

Our traditional gift-giving shall include school supplies, slippers, toiletries, medicine, vitamins, raincoats/umbrellas and even pre-loved clothes the kiddos in that part of the Cordillera. We shall likewise treat them to a sumptuous treat after the fun-filled games.

Join us and feel first hand how enlightening it is to make others happy through some of the most simple deeds.

The PASKOokum 2015 Shirt courtesy of Jaime

Should you wish to contribute and share your donations, you may do so in cash or in kind. For more details, kindly contact Jaime (+639175537819), Bette (+639228689893), or Charm (+639063343917). You may also approach any of us Skookums in case you wish to personally join us. You may likewise send us an e-mail at skookummountaineers@gmail.com.

For a sneak peak of our last outreach program, please click on this link: PaSkookum 2014 - Abeling Tribe (Tarlac)

Let us continue spreading good deeds and sharing our blessings. Thank you and may God bless you always!

Mt. Hapunang Banoi - Climbing the Eagles' Eyrie

The popularity of the Wawa area in Rodriguez, Rizal as a mountaineering/hiking destination has really reached leaps and bounds since the time that the area was formally opened earlier this 2015. When we first hiked the trails of Mt. Binacayan and Mt Pamitinan, Mt. Hapunang Banoi is yet to be formally opened for mountaineers and hikers. Hence, as fate would have it, we saved the best (...and for me the hardest..) for last.

Peak 1

Peak 2

Peak 3 (Summit)

From our usual meeting place in Quezon City, we left for Wawa at 0515H and arrived at the registration center at 0600H. Surprisingly, the local guide assigned to us was Alvin, our guide when we first hiked the trails in Wawa.

We immediately commenced hiking after saying our own personal prayers. We crossed the Hanging Bridge to the other side of Wawa River, and made our way to the concrete steps leading to the residential area until we had to cross the mini-river onwards to the forest part of the trail. We continued and decided to take a short rest at the fork leading to Pamitinan Cave.

...at the Hanging Bridge

The famous Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan



Wawa River

The wrath of Typhoon Lando wreaked havoc on the Banana Trees along the trail.

Mt. Pulag - Climb Advisory (Typhoon Lando / Koppu)

With the impending effects of Typhoon Lando (International Name Koppu) in Northern Luzon this coming weekend (October 16,17 and18), the Office of the Mount Pulag National Park Superintendent has issued a directive declaring that Mt. Pulag National Park will be closed to hikers on the said dates. The Park Management likewise emphasized the dangers of travelling in the Cordilleras during stormy weather.

Previously, an advisory dissuading all climbers from pushing through their scheduled climbs.

As per Weather Advisory No. 3 issued early today at 11:00AM, Tropical Storm Koppu is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is estimated to be 1,515km east of Luzon (15.8°N, 135.7°E) with maximum winds of 65kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80kph, and is moving west at 22kph.

Typhoon Lando is expected to be at 990km east of Luzon by Thursday morning, 560km east northeast of Baler, Aurora by Friday morning, and 310km northeast of Baler on Saturday. On Sunday, it is estimated to be at 40km north of Aparri, Cagayan, and 180km northwest of Calayan Island by Monday morning. (As posted in Mt. Pulag National Park Bulletin Facebook Page).

Please be advised accordingly.

A copy of the Warning Advisory issued by the Office of Civil Defense (taken from the Mt. Pulag National Park Bulletin Facebook Page) is reproduced below.

 

For more updated information, you may access the Facebook Account of the Mt. Pulag National Park / Mt-Pulag-National-Park-Bulletin or call Sir Roy at +63 929 166 8864


***Credits to the owners of the photos used...PAGASA and Mt. Pulag National Park Bulletin.

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Typhoon Lando - Northern Luzon

Mt. Sembrano - Manggahan Falls & Pililla Windmills

After months of shelving carefully laden plans in the past, we eventually decided to summit Mt. Sembrano. Hence, I had to fetch my climb buddy (Gani) along Ortigas Ave (near Robinsons Galleria) at 0530H.

Mt. Sembrano's South Summit....taken from the North Summit

Fortunately, we were able to find our way to the Barangay Hall of Malaya, Pililla, Rizal (where we eventually parked Jaff). After signing our names in the log book and paying the mandatory registration fee, we continued towards the trailhead leading to the summit of Mt. Sembrano which is just 100 meters, more or less, from the Barangay Hall (2^nd street after the Flying V gas station). It was already 0755 when we commenced hiking.



Brgy. Hall / Registration Center

The hike began from the highway as the concrete road started to become steep, this would actually be the start of the never-ending assault until the summit (Yes, the climb is mostly uphill, maybe 85% thereof.). We made our way through the residential area until the pavement gave way to the “Rocky Road”.

It's a cloudy day in Mt. Sembrano



The Rocky Road begins where the concrete road ends.

Although there are still residential houses along the Rocky Road, it actually signified that we are nearing the edge of the forest. We then encountered the 1^st split and took the trail on the right. We likewise crossed a brook thereafter. There are trail signs along the way except at the junction where the trail on the right leads down to the river (this is actually the old trail). Here, you must take the trail on the left since the old trail has already been closed due to landslide.

Mt. Romelo - Buruwisan Falls + Lanzones Falls

 

Although considered as one of the more famous climbs for mountaineering newbies, Mt. Romelo is better known for its waterfalls, namely: Buruwisan Falls, Lanzones Falls, Sampaloc Falls, Sapang Labo Falls, Batya-Batya Falls, Old Buruwisan, and Twin Falls (some say there is an 8th, "Diwata Falls, but I failed to verify this with the locals) that continue to serve as its crowd-drawers throughout the year.

Located in quaint Siniloan, Laguna, Mt. Romelo (although some fondly refer to it as Mt. Famy in reference to the adjoining town of Famy, Laguna) is regarded as a fun climb at 240 MASL. Nevertheless, climbing it would not be that fun and challenging unless one is ready to get wet and dirty because of its muddy horse trails (yes, even during summer).

While some would recommend hiking Mt. Romelo at summertime because it would mean less mud on the trail, hiking during the rainy season  however would be ideal for those who would want to see any of its seven (7) waterfalls at their best and mightiest.

With all these in mind, my former officemates collectively known as P@Akyat together with my best climbing buddy (and his boxing trainer) went on a dayhike within the so-called Waterfalls Sanctuary of Eastern Laguna. While most in our group went to the Raymond Bus Terminal in Legarda (Sampaloc, Manila) at 0400H, three (3) of us decided to just wait for and hail the bus along Ortigas Avenue near Robinsons Galleria. Needless to say, the bus that will take us to Siniloan encountered some delays as it was already 0615H when the bus left the station. Fifteen (15) minutes later, we were lucky to be on board as the driver refused to stop at the gas station where we were waiting (because there was already a traffic enforcer at the intersection at that time). Hence, we had no choice but to jaywalk and run for the bus like crazy (in the middle of Ortigas and Meralco Avenue intersection).

It was 0850H when bus had a brief stop-over somewhere in the town of Mabitac, Laguna. The bus continued its trip after fifteen (15) minutes and we arrived at the junction after 10 minutes. We finally arrived at the jumpoff (opposite the KTri Restaurant) five minutes later (0920H).

After buying snacks and food for lunch at KTri, we proceeded towards and arrived at the Registration Area after a 5-10 minute walk from the highway. We paid the mandatory registration fees and after some pleasantries, we started hiking at 0945H.

The sign...on the left side of the highway

We passed by this mini dam at the residential area

Going to the jumpoff...there is a Dragonfruit Plantation on the left side of the road

The Registration Area

From the Registration Area, we passed through the hanging bridge and made our way through a number of houses and eventually entered the forest as the trail became steeper. We inched our way until we reached a clearing (It was one of the parts of the trail where there are no forest cover). The view of some parts of Laguna and Rizal were spectacular as the rustic scene of the countryside is really something to behold. We again entered the forest until we finally arrived at the 1st Station (Hut) at 1025H.