Mt. Hibok-Hibok via Brgy. Yumbing

About a year ago, Arzy, Totskie and I started going on road trips with the specific purpose of trying out the best food products of that place. For example, we went to Kidapawan to try their pizza. We also travelled to Liangga bay to sample their freshly caught crabs. We also visited Lake Sebu and ate every imaginable tilapia dish you could think of.

Last August 22, 2008, because Davao was celebrating its annual Kadayawan Festival, we decided to avoid the "madding crowd" and visit the island born of fire, Camiguin. Agnes and Lily, our resident Senior and Junior Muses, hosted our road trip.

Being avid mountaineers, they included in our itinerary, a day trip to Mt. Hibok - Hibok, a prospect I did not particularly relish. For one, I read in the PinoyMountaineer web site that the trail from Ardent Hot Springs to the peak had no forest cover, which meant cogon and talahib everywhere. And secondly, I also read about the exorbitant rates being charged for the registration, guide and porters.

Not to be deterred, they insisted that we would be passing through a new trail, via Brgy. Yumbing. As it turned out, Paras Beach Resort, where we were staying, is in Brgy. Yumbing. 

To prepare ourselves for a short and easy trek to the peak of Mt. Hibok - Hibok, we went on a bike tour of the island and visited the usual sites...

sunken cemetery,

old ruins of Guiob Church.

To recover some of our energy, we had dinner at this quaint italian restaurant along the highway near our hotel. The pasta and pizza was simply marvelous at reasonable prizes. And because we expected a walk in the park, we had a couple of San Miguel Pale Pilsens too! Or maybe four.

Early next day, we registered at the Yumbing public market and proceeded to our rendezvous area, about a kilometer from the market. There we met up with Manong Gorgonio Idago, our lead guide. his son Albert and son in law Ronald, our porters. The fees were a reasonable P1500.00 for the three of them.

We jumped off at 6:14 am. This was actually a traverse climb because we had to pass through Mt. Carling before proceeding to Mt. Hibok Hibok. Technically, we climbed 2 mountains in 1 day. he he!
At 7:55 am, we reached DENR shack, a rundown wooden structure where we had breakfast. The trail was consistently on an upward slope through farmland. This was certainly no walk in the park! Breakfast consisted of pre cooked rice by our porters and canned sardines and carne norte.

I noted that the porters took pains to clean up the area of trash left by people who were there before us.  This was indeed heartening. Throughout the climb, I  only saw 1 single wrapper left carelessly by other climbers, I suppose. But this was a vast improvement from the trails  of the more popular Mt. Apo. 

AT 8:30 AM, WE Resumed our trek and passed through reforested area planted with mahogany trees. Halfway through, the forest was denser, with plants and trees that, I guess, are endemic to the area. The view was simply spectacular, hanging roots and all. The aura of the place was different from those of Kitanglad and Apo. A bit eerie, green and damp. We were just so lucky we took this trail.

At 10:38 am, we reached the crater lake. You get this strange feeling when you reach the crater. I was imagining molten rocks and lava spewing from the depths! Instead, the crater was covered by tall grasses. Standing in the middle of the crater feels like being at the center of a frying pan. :)  Facing the peak, the lake was on the left side. We were too cold to even think of taking a dip.

From the crater, our guide estimated that we could reach the peak in an hour. Arzy and I decided to go for it before taking our lunch. The final assault was technically difficult because you had to follow a ridge with sheer drops on either side. Near the peak, one had to be carefull because of the loose rocks.

We made it in 40 minutes and the rewards were a spectacular view of the white island and the surrounding areas. Pitcher plants where everywhere. And best of all, there were blueberries! It is also true that fog comes in and out intermitently. One minute you could see Bohol, the next minute you are enveloped in white.

We were getting hungry, so after a few pictures and the mandatory victory pose of Arzy, we clambered back to the crater lake where Agnes, Lily and Nolan were sunning themselves. Lunch was sardines and carne norte all over again. And Choc Nut for dessert.

At 1:05 pm, we headed back.

We reached Brgy Yumbing at 4:30 pm, and immediately ordered beer, for all, including the townfolk gathered at the sari sari store. What an experience. Hibok - Hibok, when climbed via Yumbing, is a pleasure. And we highly recommend this to all mountaineers.

If you plan on going there, look for Manong Gorgonio and his kids.

The downside of that trek was that we later learned from the locals, that they haven't been to Hibok - Hibok. Makes you think, how privileged we are.