Mt. Pinatubo Climb 2016

The cataclysmic eruption of Pinatubo Volcano in 1991 reduced the once 1,745 meters ASL mountain to a crater with an average height of 1,300 meters, with the rim about 2.4 km across, and a crater lake of unknown depth. The unbelievable amount of materials ejected by this volcano inundated Central Luzon and Zambales and altered the area’s topography for millennia to come.

Last February 26-28, climbing buddies from college organized a Mt. Pinatubo climb to explore the possibility of descending the crater from Pampanga side and scout for a route that will traverse into Zambales side. We have already accomplished this feat 21 years ago and have set the record for the first crater traverse (blog of climb here), but we are itching for a repeat performance.

Mt. Kinabalu Climb 2016

I have always wanted to climb this mountain – Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia at 4,095 meters ASL. But back then, there were no budget-promo airline from Manila to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia and I had little disposable money for travel back then. But nowadays, Manila to KK airfare is very affordable and me and my wife can spare some travel funds for some serious out of the country adventure travel. So for our 20^th wedding anniversary last February 10, I booked a flight to KK and a Mt. Kinabalu 2D1N tour package with via Ferrata.

Sorsogon-Davao City-Sorsogon Bike Ride 2011

While rummaging through my old files I finally found my notes on the 2011 “Lakbay Bisekleta” (Bike Tour). Now I can recount my longest bike ride to date and and the most challenging with 200+km-days over diverse terrain under the hot summer sun and torrential downpours. The trip was a grueling 11-day unsupported mountain bike ride of 1,682 kilometers over Samar, Leyte and Mindanao Island to Davao City and back.   

Bryan, Tyrone, Ed, Jeff and Noel

Tiwi and Caramoan Bike Ride 2015

On August 20 to 23, a group of Sorsogon recreational cyclists visited Caramoan, Camarines Sur on a long weekend unsupported bike ride. The weekend warriors were Noel (me), Kareen (my wife), Cyrk and Nat, Linzo and his son Dominic, Paulo, Sam – all from Irosin, and Ed of Matnog and Tyrone of Bulan.

The Bicol 630 Road overlooking Lagonoy Gulf.

Climbing Mount Apo 2015

Mt. Apo is on every Pinoy climber’s bucket list of mountains to summit. The highest peak of the Philippines is there waiting to be climbed, but for Luzon folks this endeavor is costly (airfare) and time-consuming (5 days in and out). So when I was on official travel in General Santos City, I jumped on the opportunity, traveled to Kidapawan City on the last day of the convention and climbed Mt. Apo, solo, over the weekend of May 22 to 24.

Biking the Cordilleras 2015

Nothing compares to the Cordilleras if you are a recreational mountain biker in the Philippines. And in affirmation to that statement, seven Sorsogon cyclists embarked (once again) on a ride to the mountain roads/trails of Ifugao, Mt. Province and Kalinga. This is our fifth Cordillera ride, this year’s installment for the annual summer “Lakbay Bisekleta” ride we have been doing since 2009. The riders are Noel (me), Kareen, Cyrk and Natalie of Irosin, Tyrone and Jay of Bulan, and Ed of Matnog.

Traditional tattoo artists of Kalinga: Grace (seated) and Apo Whang-od (standing)

Biking Samar and Leyte Island

Samar Island is a short 1.5 hour ferry ride away from Sorsogon. Roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ferries from Matnog town will take you Allen, N. Samar and from there you can pedal away up to Liloan, S. Leyte. The Samar-Leyte bike circuit is one of our favorite route  since 2008.