Mt. Kanlaon via Mapot-Manawin (Masulog) Trail
Canlaon City Negros Oriental
Trail: Sitio Mapot Brgy. Maiba – Sitio Mananawin Brgy. Masulog
Moving time and
Day(s): 10 Hours and 35 Minutes | 2 Days
August 17-19 2012
When I was in Mt. Apo last February
2012, I was thinking of climbing the highest peak in Visayas because I’ve
already done climbing the highest mountain in Luzon (Mt. Pulag) and Mindanao (Mt. Apo).
I set the Kanla-on climb on August 17-21 2012 then I had purchased my plane
ticket three months before the climb. I expected to have more company on climb
but only two of us were able to climb. I and Sir Oliver Ocinar agree to done it
by 2 days via Mapot - Masulog/ Mananawin
trail.
Mt. Kanlaon is the largest and third most
active volcano in the Philippines next to Taal and Mayon. Mt. Kanlaon is a
50-50 chance to climb because it depends on approval of DENR-PENRO. Luckily,
the weather was good and there’s no volcanic activity before our climb. Our
permit was approved three days before climb and ready for pick up.
Day
0
We excluded our day of travel from the
day of trekking as advice by DENR superintendent. Upon arriving in
Silay-Bacolod airport, we took the North Terminal bound PUV then we rode again
on SM-Bacolod bound PUJ. We took our lunch and bought supplies in SM. We’ve
wasted 1 hour in ACE hardware just to pay the 2 butane cans (sale ang SM). Afterward, we get a taxi
cab then headed to DENR office. I’ve paid the permit fee ahead of pick up time
as advice by Sir Angelo because he will not be around that time therefore I
will get the permit from his staff. Then, we headed to South terminal and took the
Canlaon City bound bus. It took 3 hours before we reached Canlaon City after passing by the
Bago City, La Carlota City and other towns. We've almost see the whole Mt.
Kanlaon surroundings.
We dropped in Caltex station as adivice by my contact and
very accommodating Sir Jigs Santiago, one of the guides in Canlaon City. We met our assigned guide (sir Caloy), Sir Jigs and habal-habal driver. Before
we leave, Sir Jigs get one copy of our permit then we headed to our guide’s
house in Sitio Mapot/ Maput, Brgy. Maiba. Sir Caloy and his parent welcomed us
warmly. The rain poured and hoping the next day to improved. We took our dinner
and spent our night in their home. It was a quiet and cold night. Their house
was part of Mt. Kanlaon with an elevation of 900+ meters ASL.
Day
1
We woke up at exactly 0400H. We took
our light breakfast instead of taking heavy meal. The sun was slightly rising
and the weather was perfectly good and no sign of rain. We started our trek at
0600H.
The first leg of the trail is a community area and vegetable farmlands.
The best part of Mapot trail was the view of Canlaon City, San Carlos, Cebu
Island and other towns. After 50 minutes of trekking, we reached the first
campsite then, we refilled our trail water bottles. Near the campsite, forest is the
next part of the trail. The trail is steeper and dense with trees and grass. There are lots of landslides near the trail due to earthquake last March. We took our heavy breakfast in the first resting bench at 0830H. Rice and dried pusit (squid) filled our hungry stomach.
We resume our trek at 0915H. Our guide
clears the trail because it seems that no other climbers took that trail 1-3 weeks
before our climb. Sir Caloy told us that the damage was left by typhoon and
earth quake .We reached the next resting bench called Balubangko at 0950H. The
trail was more on gradual until we arrived in the last water source at 1140H. Then,
we cook and took our lunch there. Our guide loaded our empty bottles which can
last up to next day.
At 2147+ meters ASL, the forest is mossy and the temperature
is colder. We resumed our trek at 1330H.
After 20 minutes of assault, we’ve finally reached the Makawiwili peak (2330+
MASL). The view was not rewarded and the rain started to pour. At Makawiwili
campsite, facing the makawiwili peak, the right direction is heading to
pagatpat ridge.
We took the left trail which is heading to the shoulder or
eastern shoulder. We resumed our trek via the eastern ridge. There is a campsite
in the forest part before entering the open shoulder campsite. It is wiser to
camp in the covered part during heavy rains and winds. We arrived at 1600H in
shoulder campsite (2100+ MASL). The rain stop and sky is clearer. Our moving
time was 6 hours and 45 minutes from Sitio Mapot up to Shoulder campsite.
After
lengthy hours of trekking, the view was rewarded and it was relaxing. The
temperature dropped at 12 degrees Celsius before the nightfall. Sleeping bag
helped me to survive the chilly night.
Day 2
At 0500H, it was shivering outside the
tent. The weather was perfectly awesome. We took our light breakfast then prepared
for summit assault. The trail going to the crater was slippery because of loose
rock.
Our guide told us that Mt. Kanlaon is a very dangerous mountain and they
treat Mt. Kanlaon as a sacred mountain. Many died in this mountain according to
our guide. The latest death incident was 2 months ago. The blue t-shirt was
left near where he died along the trail. Since the day we started trekking,
death incident in Mt. Kanlaon was the main topic.
After 30 minutes, our foot was set on
the top of the highest peak in Visayas Island. The active crater is amazing and
beautiful. It was a wonderful day and perfect weather for us. The beauty of Mt. Kanlaon is diverse from the
other mountain I’ve conquered. The Pagatpat ridge, Eastern Shoulder, Margaja
Valley, Makawiwili Peak, Cebu Island, nearby mountains and tows of Negros we’re
seen from the crater summit. We enjoyed every moment there. Scary side: There’s
always a possibility that this volcano might erupt at anytime. Two hours later,
we started our descent.
We cook for our breakfast then
prepared for descent. At 0920H, we started our descent via Masulog/ Mananawin
trail.
The vegetation was very thick in the open trail before entering the
forest area. I don’t even see where I will step on. As a result, my right foot experience
sprain twice. It really hurts but I don’t want the pain penetrate. We’ve
entered the forest part at exactly 1030H. We met Sir Jigs and other
mountaineers. After rest and chitchat with others,we resumed our descent at
1050H. Before reaching the Patay na Ilog (dead river), I slip and fall my half
body while I keep holding on tree and my right legs was in the trail. I tried
to lift myself but my backpack was too heavy. My companion pulled me up. No
worries, no minor or serious injury. At 1130H, we took our final 20 minutes
rest in the Patay na Ilog. We continue our descent at 1150H.
We reached Sitio
Mananawin in Brgy. Masulog at 1300H. We washed and cleaned ourselves. We took
habal-habal going to Brgy. Masulog public market. Our guide headed back to sitio
Mapot. We leave Canlaon City at 1430H and took the Bacolod bound bus (ceres).
We reached south terminal in Bacolod City at 1730H.
Mt.
Kanlaon via Mapot-Shoulder-Mananawin/ Masulog Itinerary
Day
0
1030 ETA
Bacolod-SIlary Airport
1045 ETD
– North terminal bound PUV (35 php)
1105 ETA
North terminal
1115 ETD
– SM Bacolod bound PUJ (8 php)
1130 ETA
SM. Buy Supplies. Lunch.
1320 ETD
– head to DENR Brgy. 39. Abad-Santos Street
1330 ETA
DENR. Get permit. Head to South Terminal
1345 ETA
South Terminal
1430 ETD
– Canlaon City bound Bus (100 php)
1730 ETA
Caltex Canlaon City. Meet guide.
Head
to Sitio Mapot, Brgy Maiba
Habal-habal (100
php)
1800 ETA
Sitio Mapot. Guide house.
Or
head to Campsite near forest. w/ water source.
Day
1
0600 Start
Trek
0650 ETA
Campsite. Refill trail water
0830 Breakfast
along the trail
0915 Resume
trek
0950 ETA
Resting Bench/ Balubangko
1140 ETA
Water Source. Lunch
1330 ETD
1350 ETA
Makawiwili Peak/ Campsite
1430 ETD.
Head to shoulder campsite
1600 ETA
(eastern) shoulder Campsite
Day
2
0600 Start
trek. Summit assault
0630
ETA Mt. Kanlaon Summit/ Crater
0830 Descent
0850 ETA
Campsite. Breakfast. Break Camp
0920 ETD
– head to Sitio Mananawin
1030 ETA
Forest. Rest
1050 Resume
1130 ETA
Patay na ilog. Final rest
1150 Resume
1300 ETA
Sitio Mananawin, Brgy. Masulog
1350 ETD
– Head to Masulog market/ highway
Habal-habal
(50 php)
1400 ETA
Brgy Masulog Market/ Highway
1430 ETD
– Bacolod bound bus (87 php)
1730 ETA
Bacolod City
Head
back to Bacolod-Silay Airport Or
Side
trip. We prefer Mambukal resort.
Note: Please coordinate to:
Sir
Angelo Bibar –
Biologist, Office of the Park Superintendent
Cel
#: +639173011410
Office address: DENR-PENRO, Abad-Santos Street
Brgy. 39, Bacolod City 6100, Philippines
Telefax (034) 433-3813; 435-7411
**Please
call or transact business during OFFICE HOURS (8:00am- 5:00pm Monday to Friday)
and NOT AT YOUR CONVENIENT TIME. Get your permit during office days.
Sir
Jigs Santiago –
Mt. Kanlaon Guide of Canlaon City trails
Cel
#: +639077039828
Sir
Carlos “Caloy” De Agca – Mt.
Kanlaon Guide of Canlaon City trails
Cel
#: +639128986972
Address:
Sitio Mapot, Brgy. Maiba Canlaon City
** Sir
Angelo or Sir Jigs will assign the guide but you may choose/request your own
guide in Canlaon City trails.
For more
details, follow the link below:
