Mt. Kanlaon via Mapot-Pula trail

From Bacolod airport, it’s a 30 -45 minutes taxi ride to reach Ceres Bus terminal. The earliest bus trip starts at 2:00 in the morning then hourly for the succeeding trips. In our case, we were able to ride the second trip at 3:00am and arrived at Canlaon’s bus terminal almost around 7:00am. Sir Epoy of Sentinel mountaineers fetch us via his multicab as agreed from Canlaon terminal to Mapot basecamp. 




                                          Photo while on Epoy's multicab


We started hiking at exactly 9:40 in the morning then had our lunch 30 minutes before noon under the shadows of the trees along the trail. At 12:00nn, we resumed trekking and reached “kutitap” at 3:00pm. Along the trail some of us saw ant eaters who also happen to have their lunch. The trail is like a combination of Mt. Arayat’s trail to southpeak and Makiling’s except for the rope segments. It is quite critical because of the several collapsed trees along the trail. There are even segments where 90 degrees assault are observed and you might want to do deep breathing before and after proceeding. There is a water source before reaching kutitap.




                                          First few minutes of the hike




                                          Photo at Mapot trail




                                          Selfie at Mapot trail




                                          Take five




                                         Mapot trail




We reached Makawiwili Peak thirty minutes from kutitap and witnessed the jaw dropping view of the Margaja Valley from the said peak. Despite the previous issues about the burning of the hundred year old bonsai, its soft Bermuda grass and former shallow lake in the valley, its beauty has still entice the hikers. We set our camps, cooked dinner and lights off at 9:00 in the evening. It is advisable to bring thick jacket and a bit of liquor to keep your body warm since the temperature may drop to 10 degrees in which shivering may not suffice.




                                          Photo from Makawiwili Peak


A Relaxing sunrise may be experienced from Makawiwili Peak. We were all excited to embrace the heat of sun followed by a group breakfast. After break camp, we started trekking to shoulder via Pagatpat Ridge which is half an hour to an hour from Makawiwili. There is also a viewing deck along the trail, approximately five to ten minutes before reaching the next camp site. Same as Mapot trail, the pagatpat ridge’s trail is covered by trees hence, the shadows shield hikers from the heat of the sun. The campsite before reaching shoulder is relatively spacious compared to Makawiwili Peak and trees around it protects campers from possible heavy wind blows.




                                          Margaja Valley


As soon as we reach the shoulder, we put our bags down and descended to Margaja Valley which will take around thirty minutes trek. Water source can be found ten minutes away from the valley. Right after an hour of picture taking, we went back to shoulder and ascended to the Crater. From shoulder to the crater, the trail is slippery and full of loose rocks. It is more difficult to descent than to ascend due to its loose and rocky trail. Trekking may reach thirty minutes to an hour to reach the crater and vice versa. The crater has its amazing contour that some hikers may anxiously try to look what is down there. A camera pole for picture taking is advisable to capture great photos. Parallel to the crater is the Makawiwili Peak so both views may be taken in different angles.





                                          The trail going to crater




                                          The crater of Mt. Kanlaon



It was almost two in the afternoon when we start trekking down via Pula trail.This trail is the usual trail for locals since it is the fastest and the steepest among the trail to descend. Descending via Pula trail may reach two to four hours depending on the pace. It is difficult and challenging since hikers' toes and knees should be prepared for its sharp inclination or else casualty may occur. Mosquitoes and bees were almost everywhere from the trail’s first water source to the river.  Plantation of different vegetables were along the trail after the river crossing.  We arrived at Pula Jump-off at around 5:30 pm after a three-hour trek. A good view of Mount Kanlaon can be seen from the jumpoff.



Itinerary:

Day 0

Bacolod

Day 1

03:00 –06:45 Bacolod Bus terminal to Canlaon Bus terminal

06:45- 07: 30B Breakfast

07:30 -08:00 Registration at Sentinel basecamp

08:00-09:00 ETA Mapot jump off

09:40 Start trekking

11:30 Lunch at trail

12:00 -15:00 ETA kutitap

15:30 -16:00 ETA Makawiwili Peak

16:00- 17:00 Exploring the Peak

17:00 Set up camp

18:00 Dinner/ Socials

20:00 Lights Off




Day 2

05:00 Wakeup call

06:00 Breakfast

07:00 Break camp

07:30 Stark trekking to shoulder via Pagatpat ridge

08:00 ETA Pagatpat Ridge’s viewing deck

08:00-08:20 ETA Pagatpat Ridge Campsite

08:20-08:30 ETA shoulder

09:00-09:30 Descend to Margaja Valley

09:30-09:40 Water source at Margaja

10:30- 11:00 ETA to shoulder

11:30 -12:00 ETA Crater/Summit

13:00-13:30 ETA back to shoulder

13:30 Lunch

13:40 Descend via Pula trail

14:10 Resume trekking /entering forest area

15:00 water source along the trail

15:00-16:00 ETA river/ river crossing

16:00- 17:30 ETA Pula Jumpoff



 Total Expenses excluding airfare: Php 2000/ head



For inquiries, you may contact Epoy of Sentinel Mountaineers at 09334912294