Camiguin: A Complete Island Experience

The BACKPACKERS Mindanao trip: Day Two

Camiguin Island:

A Captivating Haven

By Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

 
"The second smallest province in our country that offers some of the biggest nd wildest adventures 

and the most beautiful panoramic sceneries - CAMIGUIN!!!" 

~ Ivan Ignacio, the BP Lead

Cagayan de Oro: Whitewater River Rafting Adventure

The BACKPACKERS Mindanao trip: Day One

Whitewater River Rafting Adventure:
Taking IT to the Extreme!

By Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

Raft 1: York, Frank, Jovy, Bogs, DP, and Contz

Raft 2: Angel, Liz, Ivan, Marion, Ralph, and Heinz

River rafting is considered as an extreme sports as it can be dangerous. A favorite in Australia and Europe, this activity had easily earned Filipino's interest. Perhaps, the most famous river for a whitewater adventure in the country is found in Cagayan de Oro.

The modern raft is an inflatable boat, made up of rubberized fabrics with several air chambers. Rafts are usually propelled with ordinary paddles and usually hold at least four to twelve persons. 

Mt. Hibok Hibok

Camiguin Island
LLA: 9°12′2″N; 124°40′5″E; 1332 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 3-5 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3
(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-hibok-hibok-1332.html)

The BACKPACKERS:

Angel Cawaling

Liz Honrade

Ivan Laurence Ignacio

Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.
Ralph Flores 
Deepee Piano

Frank Aguilar

York Advento 

The BACKPACKERS Mindanao Trip: Day Three

The BACKPACKERS' 

First Mindanao Mountain: 

MT. HIBOK HIBOK

By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

 

Among no less than seven volcanoes in the enchanting Camiguin Island, Mt. Hibok Hibok is the most famous. It is an active volcano which recorded the most explosive history. 

It was scheduled on that day that we would climb Mt. Hibok Hibok, an active volcano in the beautiful Camiguin Island. The problem was- bad weather, which we did notice the moment we opened our eyes that day. Everybody had a doubt if climbing, which was definitely a major activity for us, would push through. Good thing, the skies somehow showed a sign of a better weather later on that day, and our Guide showed a reasonably positive attitude towards it.

Mt. Bungkol Baka

San Jose, Tarlac
Major jumpoff: Sitio San Pedro, Brgy. Iba, San Jose
LLA: 551 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 3-4 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3
(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2008/12/mt-bungkol-baka-551.html)

The BACKPACKERS:

Angel Cawaling

Jovy Duremdes
Liz Honrade
Weng Topasi

Deepee Piano
Ivan Laurence Ignacio

Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.
Ralph Flores 

Guests:

Mamai Elejorde

Ghei Agoncillo

Jean Alvarado
Mon Sarmiento

Mau Mauleon

Paul Sarte

John Louie Baccay

Chester Dean Umali

Raymond Esto

The BACKPACKERS with 

"The Shoulderbaggers" in 

Cow's Hump

By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr

The group assembled at Victory Liner in Cubao, Quezon City and left Manila for San Jose, Tarlac at around nine in the morning. So far, this is The BP's climb with the biggest number of participants surpassing the Mt. Pulag Ultimate Summer Adventure in April of 2011.

Mt. Tarak

Mariveles, Bataan

Jump off point: Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles

LLA: 14°30.357′N, 120°30′E, 1,006 MASL (ridge); 1,130 MASL (peak)

Days required / Hours to summit: 2 days, 5-6 hours

Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3

(Source: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/tarak-ridge-1130.html)

The Backpackers:

Ivan Laurence Ignacio
Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.
Ralph Flores
Liz Honrade
Frank Aguilar
Jovy Duremdes
Contz Cirujales
Deepee Piano
Len Tomas

Candidates for Induction:

Angel Cawaling

Marion Macapagal

Weng Topasi

Clue Fajardo

The BACKPACKERS 

Induction Climb at Mt. Tarak

By: Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr

The climb to Mt. Tarak was a special event for The Backpackers (BP) not only because it was it's second major climb but more importantly, it was BP's  first Induction Climb. Four outdoor enthusiasts' lives and their lifestyles were expected to become more active after this event.

Because Dee Pee and Len's end-of-shift were at 8:00 AM, the BP Lead Ivan approved a second group to climb later at mid-morning. The advance party that was composed by six BP Pioneers (Ivan, Frank, Ralph, Jovy, Liz, and Contz) and four aspiring members (Angel, Marion, Clue, and Weng) was led by the Lead himself and left Manila at 6:00 AM; while the second group started the journey to Mariveles, Bataan at 10:00 AM with Heinz.

First Group's Journey to the Ridge...

Invading Brgy. Alas-Asin