Mt Isarog via Panicuason Trail

View on the peak of Mt. Isarog. Mayon Volcano could have been visible, if not for the fog and clouds.
Picture taken from Cecille Fulgar's Facebook album

Isarog doesn't ring a bell to many mountaineers, and even for many Bicolanos. This dormant volcano is one less-trodden paradise (which is a good thing, in a way). You won't find Mt. Isarog souvenir shirts or key chains anywhere in Naga City, where ironically, the most common ones feature Mayon Volcano (which is from a different province!) or the CWC. This foretold what Isarog's treat for us would be - a hike through lush and almost virgin rain forest. The trail was moderately difficult (6/9 on my scale) - a long "obstacle course", with plenty of crawling, clinging to roots and branches, etc. It's like an extended version of the old trail in Arayat, with a verdant mossy forest as a bonus. Our adventure ends with a side trip to Malabsay Falls, frequented by locals and is close to the jump off point.

At the mossy forest

Malabsay Falls

In front of the DENR post

Rainy!

Our humble breakfast

All comfy at the campsite

Our guide and savior

Kuya Jojo of Kadlagan who processed our permits. This picture was taken from his shop in SM Naga.

Arranging the Climb

My buddies for this climb were Cecille, Javee, Keith, Genesis and Marlon. Thanks go to Kuya Jojo of Kaddlagan for processing our permit, and to our guide and savior, Kuya Nestor. While guides in other mountains would usually overcharge hikers, ours was more than gracious enough to decline our tip - which we insisted btw. And who would have known that Kuya Nestor also happened to be carrying 2 kilos of rice, which we forgot to bring, of all things! Thanks also go to that Ate from Panicuason who, despite having only 3 pails of water left at home, allowed us to take a shower - free of charge - not to mention that she served us free coffee, too. So many kind people at Naga, I should say.