Kibungan Circuit

The view that greeted us just a few meters from the jump off point.

Benguet is a mountaineer's paradise - there's just mountains in all directions. It is but fitting that that province was chosen for out group's first anniversary climb. The three-day/two-night trek across the rugged landscapes of Kibungan, Benguet took us to three peaks in the circuit, namely Mount Tagpaya with it's knife-edge peak, the curiously-named Mt. Oten and finally Mt. Tagpew. The trail is comparable to that of Akiki in Mount Pulag, but there's so much more than the usual trek across pine trees that is characteristic of hikes in the Cordilleras.

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.