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Mt. Pulag/Akiki-Tawangan Traverse (2,922+)
MT. PULAG (AKIKI-TAWANGAN TRAVERSE)Kabayan, Benguet Entry point: Akiki Ranger Station, Brgy. Doacan, Kabayan Exit point: Brgy. Tawangan, Kabayan LLA: 16°34'58"N 120°53'15"E, 2922 MASL Days required /...
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Hiking matters #339: Mt. Kalisungan Traverse to Mt. Atimla
The steep descent through grass marks the start of the traverse from Kalisungan to Atimla If mountains were people, then I suppose Mts. Kalisungan and Atimla are best friends - or a happy couple. These...
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Hiking matters #212: The descent from 369 Hut to Wuling Farm
TAIPEI, TAIWAN - More than a year after my first hiking trip, I have taken time to reminisce my previous hikes in this country and I realized that I have failed to write about Day 3 of the Snow...
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PinoyMountaineer in Taiwan
This is a country page describing my hiking adventures in Taiwan. As of May 2013, I have completed four hiking trips in Taiwan, with 14 hikes which include several of the Top 100 mountains in Taiwan,...
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Mountain News: Four German hikers, Filipino guide dead in Mayon eruption
Four climbers from Germany and a Filipino guide were killed when the volcano suddenly released rocks and steam while they were hiking near the summit on May 7, 2013. They were part of a group of 27...
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PinoyMountaineer in Japan
This is a country page describing my hiking adventures in Japan. As of May 2013, I have completed three hiking trips in Taiwan, with 10 hikes which including Mt. Fuji, the highest in the country; and...
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Hiking matters #340: Cilai Ridge (奇萊山) Day 1 - From Hehuanshan to Chenggong Hut
In May 2011, on my first hiking trip to Taiwan, I saw Cilai Ridge for the first time, managed to trek its initial leg with our Taiwanese friend 曾禎鳴 and in Hiking matters #174, I wrote that: "Black...
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Hiking matters #341: Cilai Ridge (奇萊山) Day 2 - Crossing Cilai Ridge from Main...
Continued from Hiking matters #340: At the Chenggong Cabin where we spent the night, we woke up at 0300H and began the long day of hiking at 0420H. It was immediately an ascent through the subalpine...
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Gear Review: Samsung Smart Camera WB250F
The Samsung Smart Camera WB250F As an adventurer, what matters to me is the experience itself. As a photographer, caputuring the experience is also important. Finally, as a writer and blogger, sharing...
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Climb Health: Tips to prevent snoring for hikers and campers
By Gideon Lasco, MD Did you wake up one day with an angry tentmate telling you how loudly you snored and he wasn't able to sleep? You are not alone. Statistics vary around the world that show that...
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Essay: Letter to a young mountaineer, Part III: Of doing and loving
By Gideon Lasco Have you ever cursed a mountain for being so difficult, so uncomfortable, or so unrewarding? Perhaps it was a hike that it did not turn out the way you planned it: the weather turned...
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Mountain News: Illegal logging in Pantingan Peak, Mt. Mariveles, Bataan
A mountain guide from Bagac, Bataan has told PinoyMountaineer that illegal logging in Pantingan Peak, Mariveles Range has not only continued; it has worsened. His account is corroborated by photos...
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Hiking matters #342: Mt. Makiling via the Sipit Trail in Sto. Tomas, Batangas
At the Melkas Ridge, the most scenic and precarious part of Mt. Makiling's Sto. Tomas (MakTrav) Trail. With the Palanggana (San Bartolome) Trail being shut down by local officials with the blessing of...
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Mountain News: Female mountaineer missing in Mt. Banahaw
It was reported this morning in Inquirer.net that a female hiker is currently missing in Mt. Banahaw, following a hike over the weekend with two other companions and a local guide. Search and rescue...
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Mountain News: Is Mt. Halcon open? Updates from Oriental Mindoro
CALAPAN, ORIENTAL MINDORO - Is Mt. Halcon open? Officially, there is no definitive answer, with so many parties involved: The municipal and provincial tourism offices, the Department of Environment...
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Hiking matters #343: Mt. Halcon Part 1 - To Aplaya campsite
Trekking through the mossy forests on the way to Aplaya Campsite On May 27, 2013, I together with Koi Grey and Daryl Comagon proceeded to Baco, Oriental Mindoro to climb Mt. Halcon. The highest...
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Hiking matters #344: Mt. Halcon Part 2 - To the summit and back
At the Knife Edge of Mt. Halcon leading to the summitContinued from Hiking matters #343: Since we almost had an entire day in Aplaya Campsite on our Day 2, we thought we would be well rested. Instead,...
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Independence Day Message: What can we Filipino mountaineers do for our country?
The blogger at the Philippines exhibit in Musee du Quai Branly in Paris, France, June 5, 2013Essay written and published by PinoyMountaineer.com author Gideon Lasco on the occasion of 115th...
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Mountaineer Joey Vergara missing, rescued in Malipunyo Range, Batangas
UPDATE 3: The rescue team should be in the jumpoff by now (15:30H, June 20). UPDATE 2: I am very happy to hear and share the good news that mountaineeer Joey Vergara has been found and rescued in Mt....
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Hiking matters #345: Trekking in Tarragona and the Roman aqueduct in Pont de...
Tarragona is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, with several of its features declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, traceable to the days of the Roman Empire. I had the chance to trek to the...
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