Beyond Summits - Conquering Mt. Masaraga

 Day Two of our Bicol Adventure
 (May 23, 2012)

Abs and I woke up at around 5:00 in the morning because of the sounds of the fighting cocks at a nearby house - just across our room. We prepared breakfast for Lolo Carling. Al asked us last night if we're interested to scale heights and ascend a mountain and we never hesitated. (though we don't have proper trekking attire). He was able to contact Chestopher - the guide, and then plans have been made. Wooohoooo, Off tto the beaten path.. Al drove us to the jump off point in Brgy. Amtic, Sitio Sabloyon in Ligao City about 11 km. from Polangui, Albay and listened to John Mayer's songs along the way. (Al didn't join us for he just climbed the mountain 4 days ago with two of his CS friends from Canada. He still has lots of bruises in his arms.)

On our way to Sitio Sabloyon - requested a local to take a photo of us with Mt. Masaraga as the backdrop.  Kinda blurry but I liked it as it is. hehe No choice. hehe 

After Al and his friends' climb four days ago, we're next. - Logging in at Brgy. Amtic.
Entrance fee is at Php10, Guide fee is Php500 

This magical view greeted us on our way to the jump-off point to Mt. Masaraga. Excited muchooo ;)

A view of the stunning Mayon Volcano as we nearly approach the base camp of Mt. Masaraga

View from the top

Abs and Cris at the Summit. 

A-OK! Finally at the last summit. 

"Raise the Roof!"  We need some clearance,please...

FACTS ABOUT MT. MASARAGA

Mount Masaraga is an extinct stratovolcano, located in Oas and Ligao City in the province of Albay, in the Bicol region, on Luzon Island, in the Philippines, at latitude 13.32°N (13°20'N), longitude 123.60°E (123°35'E). Mount Masaraga is a forested, sharp-topped, mountain with an elevation of 1328 metres (4,357 feet) above sea level. It is adjacent and the closest to the perfect cone of Mayon Volcano. -Wikipedia

According to Cris, our guide, he and his brother maintains the clearing of the trails in the mountain since they are true blue residents and serving as guides to tourists is their way of living. He even bragged about guiding Sir Gideon of Pinoy Mountaineer during his climb sometime in April last year. And if in case you might want to read articles about Mt. Masaraga: here's the link from Pinoy Mountaineer to give you a better understanding about Bicol's little-known spot.

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2011/06/mt-masaraga-1328-in-ligao-city-albay.html

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2011/04/hiking-matters-162-hiking-up-summit-of.html

Finally reached the First Summit. The final summit is yet to come. 

Pitcher plant grows abundantly in the area. So lucky to have clicked my shutter on this one.

Wild orchids in bloom. 

From afar, a mountain is just a landscape but beyond that, it offers a lot of learning experience and sense of 

fulfillment to those individuals who are genuinely captured by its hypnotic tenderness and pristine beauty.

No amount of stories and literature can surmount the joy of experiencing the hardship of climbing a mountain.

. 

It's different up there, walking on the sea of clouds, communing with nature and connecting with the 

Creator. tsktsk (Piso lang ang pamasahe nasa langit ka na.) 

Haisst.. there are certain feelings that are just too deep for words. Epic climb ito. =)

And as what most mountaineers believed:

Take nothing but pictures. 

Leave nothing but footprints. 

Kill nothing but time.

Thank you, Lord for all the great wonders of nature that you have bestowed upon us. Thank you, Cris for being our guide and for keeping us safe all throughout the climb, Thank you, Al Francis Razon for pushing the button. Yeah, let's keep the fire burning and cheers to eternal friendship.. Thank you, Abs for riding with me, for pushing through the limits and for sharing lots of great memories here in our Epic climb. For my family and friends who has always been my inspiration. And to those who have inspired me to do things beyond the usual. This is it. For the love of the great outdoors - ris

‎"Challenges in life come in three broad categories--easy, difficult and impossible. Those who take only the easy have a safe and boring life, Those who take the difficult are tough and have a sense of fulfillment, but those who take the impossible inspire others that it can be done."