Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon
2158 MASL
Difficulty: Major 5/9
Trail Class: 3
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
The Mt. Banahaw stand tall at the middle of the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. Having at total height of 2158 meters above sea level, Mt. Banahaw has the crown of the highest in Southern Tagalog region. Being the highest, it is not unusual to have testimonies of sightings of many floras and faunas such as Sampinit. Although, the sad part is Mt. Banahaw is a popular hiking destination not just for ordinary hikers and mountaineers, but also to cults and Rizalistas, thus creating a great impact and destruction to the mountain. It is the folklore and beliefs that caused Mt. Banahaw's fame. Known as the Holy mountain, devotees, pilgrims and cults often visit this mountain especially during Lenten season. This became an eye for the authorities who are concerned to the mountain's welfare, making them to decide to officially closed the mountain to ANY of the hikers, unless given special permit. This is to give way to her rehabilitation or self healing.
Mt. Banahaw is not just known for it's height but also with it's mystery. It not just stand next to Mt. Cristobal, but also have lots of it's own version of mysteries and ghost stories, thus creating a prominent figure in the Philippine folklore. Stories about this very mountain that is unproved but believed are still alive, such as the story of a cave named "Husgado" translates as Judgement wherein passage will get narrow when an evil person goes inside trapping him/her in the cave. Another story is the miracle of waters found in the mountain that is said to heal every injury or diseases.
Trekking Mt. Banahaw will have to start in Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon (same as Mt. Cristobal), then choose a path to either via Cristallino Falls or Tatlong Tangke. From Cristallino falls, you will pass by Kweba ng Dyos Ama, then Kweba ng Espiritu Santo, then Finally the Unang Durungawan. From Tatlong Tangke, you will pass by Kapatagan, then the Durungawans.
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS
From Buendia or Cubao, you may take buses bound to Lucena and ask them to drop you off San Pablo City, where there is a terminal of jeeps bound to Dolores. You may ask the driver if you can just add some amount to bring you to Brgy. Kinabuhayan or you may rent a jeep all the way to Brgy. Kinabuhayan.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
*Authorities suspended all hiking activities at Mt. Banahaw and still currently closed up to now, thus will be posting itinerary once the Mt. Banahaw opened in public in respect to the said closure.
No comments:
Post a Comment