Pico de Loro - To be closed indefinitely starting October 1, 2016

As per the DENR-PAMB in Maragondon, Cavite, which also serves as the Jump Off Point (JOP) for hikes going to Pico de Loro, the mountain will be closed for all hiking activities starting October 1, 2016. This closure is supposedly being implemented to let the mountain heal due to the damage that was supposedly brought about by the chronic number of hikers who there especially during weekends and holidays.

Pico de Loro

The Monolith

Many are hopeful that this plan would finally push through since news of such closure has been around the mountaineering circles as early as the second quarter of this year, after the announcement of the closure of the Monolith to hiking activities (which was not followed by some climbers).

Updates will be posted here as soon as we receive the information.


Tramping Advisory 016
009.010.016
Pico de Loro - Indefinite Closure

Brown Trekker -

Brown Trekker
Taft Centrale Exchange,
Taft Avenue cor. Gil Puyat Ave. (Buendia),
Pasay City
Contact Nos. +63 917 501 5526 / +63 2 556 0946

If you are into supporting local products, this is the place to go to. The products that they sell are really cheaper and of good quality that is comparable to the more popular brands. They are open from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Click here for additional details.

Altitude Outdoor Shop

Altitude Outdoor Shop
CTC Building,
Taft Avenue cor. Pedro Gil St.,
Manila
Mobile No. +63 916 795 9147 / +63 947 477 7116

Altitude Outdoor Shop is one of the popular shops that outdoor enthusiasts go to for all their outdoor needs. It is located near the Pedro Gil LRT Station. Business hours is from 8:00am to 7:00pm. You may browse through their Facebook page for more details.

Xplore7107 Outdoor Gears

Xplore7107 Outdoor Gears
2nd Floor Muñoz Market
EDSA cor. Roosevelt Avenue
Quezon City
Contact: Louie Dela Cruz
Contact Nos. +63 998 361 9819 / +63 2 710 8460

XOG, as the shop is popularly known, is a one-stop shop for all your outdoor needs. Tents, bags, shoes, sleeping bags, and other necessities are available in different brands and sizes. It is very accessible since it is located near the Roosevelt LRT Station. They are open daily from 2:30pm to 7:00pm. Here is their Facebook page for more details.

Mt. Batulao - New Trail to Old Trail Traverse (Solohike)

"Great things are done when men and mountains meet."

                                 - William Blake -

Mt. Batulao has been known in the mountaineering circle as one of the better climbs near Metro Manila. It offers a challenging hike that offers a lot of rewards to aspiring hikers that would wish to practice some technical facets of climbing. Hence, it is not uncommon for mountaineers to have their baptism of fire in this mountain.

This popularity of Mt. Batulao has reared its ugly head. Controversies and issues regarding registrations and rules on climbing and guides resulted to climbers shying away from tramping in this hub of Philippine mountaineering.

Previously, in any given holiday or weekend, hikers would come in droves, 300 hikers tramping on its picturesque peaks and ridges would be an understatement. Foot traffic at the roped segments is comparable to EDSA and the summit is jam-packed at any given time of the day. But now, according to the local that I talked to, a lucky day would mean about a hundred or so hikers passing through the registration areas. I admit, I am one of those who were disenchanted and eventually became indifferent to climbing this popular tramping ground because of the so many issues that supposedly cropped up from the personal interests of some people.

Mt. Kanlaon, which is located in Negros Oriental has been put on Alert Level 1 status by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) because of a phreatic eruption that happened last June 18. Hence, the public is advised that entry within the 4-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is prohibited.

Again, no hiking in Kanlaon for the meantime.

Tramping Advisory 016

006.018.016

Mt. Kanlaon - Phreatic Eruption
Mt. Kanlaon - Phivolcs
Kanlaon.18June2016

Mt. Bulusan - Tramping Advisory - Volcanic Eruption

One of the more active volcanoes in the Philippines, Mt. Bulusan has erupted Friday morning.

The Phivolcs has put Mt. Bulusan under Alert No. 1. In this regard, the public is advised that entrance to the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone is prohibited. Hikers/climbers/mountaineers may visit the Phivolcs website for future updates.

Tramping Advisory 015

006.010.016

Mount-Bulusan-erupts