A
few weeks ago, my cousin, Ivan, created an Event at Facebook titled Mama Mary’s
Birthday Climb at Naliwatan Peak scheduled on September 17, 2016. A was excited
and was eager to join the climb but I only hit “Maybe” because I’m not yet sure
whether I could join them or not because of some of my compliances at work and
I lack of preparation. As you can see, Naliwatan Peak is the second highest
mountain in Region VIII next to Alto Peak of Jaro/Ormoc, Leyte. So a good
preparation physically and mentally is really needed. I have no time to prepare
physically because I have work and compliances to be done. The night before the
D-Day, I met with my fellow climbers and had a meeting prior to the climb. I
met new friends and a distant relative who happens to be our guide during the
climb.
Though
I am not physically prepared for the climb, I still decided to join them
because I missed trekking and going on an adventure.
D-Day
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Jump off Area at Brgy Sampao, Almeria, Bilira
left to right: Ryan Kyle, Janine, JV, Ivan, Makoy, Me, Julius and Deo |
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| Had our lunch at a river going to the camp site |
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| Nomads Falls |
We
left Naval at about 0930H and went to Brgy. Sampao, Almeria, Biliran and from
there we trek and pass thru Ulan-Ulan Falls, Recoletos Falls and Nomads Falls
(Named after the first Mountaineering Group who explored the area). On our way
to the campsite, we river trek, cross tree lines and rocks that needs to be
hugged literally just to be able to continue your trek because it blocks the
trail and is the only way to reach our destination. We reached the camp site at
about 1430H and immediately prepared our sleeping paraphernalia. I don’t have a
tent but I have a hammock with mosquito net, a usual item for PNP Members. After
the dinner, we prayed the rosary in honor of the birthday of Mama Mary. Had few
shots of brandy and then hit the bed because we were scheduled to go to the
peak early on next day.
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| On our way to the camp site |
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| Camp Site area |
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| After our Rosary, had a get together |
Day
2
We
were supposed to wake up at about 0430H the next day so we can see the sunrise
at the Mt. Naliwatan Peak but to no avail because everybody woke up late. So we
decided to just eat our breakfast and then hit the trails to the peak. The
trails to the peak was hard compared to the trails to the campsite based on my
own opinion. Because there are certain areas there that you’ll have to walk to
the edge of the mountain and have to hold on to the roots of the trees. Going to
the peak, you’ll see a lot of pitcher plants, different birds and insects that
can only be found at the mountain. The peak of Tres Marias Mt. Naliwatan was
very mossy. It was cold and it feels like it’s already 1800H but it was still
1000H when we reached the peak. We took photos and had minutes of rest then
traversed back to the camp site. After reaching the camp site, we immediately
prepared lunch then packed up our things so we can reach the Barangay (village)
proper of Sampao before the sun sets. On our way to Brgy Sampao, we had a
stopover at Nomads falls so we can take a dip for a few minutes. After Nomads
Falls, we trekked back to Brgy Sampao and hit the roads to Naval.
I really enjoyed my experience from Tres Marias Naliwatan Peak because I was able to make new good friends and was able to appreciate more the beauty of our nature.
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| Mt. Panamao |
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| The second peak of Tres Marias |
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| Pitcher Plant |
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| Moss |
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| Me at the 2nd highest peak of Eastern Visayas |
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| First time I saw an orange moss |
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| On our way back to Brgy Sampao |
