The Beat of My Heart

Are you thinking of committing suicide because of your boring and routinary life? My friend, I may have a better suggestion for you.. An alternative that most probably has the same degree of difficulty as suicide, but (and I guarantee you this) the outcome is far more beneficial than putting an end to your promising life.

I kind of felt the same.. but since I reached my first summit last May 22, 2010, my life has changed.. completely. When somebody asked me to join a Mt. Buluisan climb, I didn’t hesitate.. because I was tired of doing the same things.. I must say though, and warn you in advance, mountain climbing is not an easy task.. hahaha.. Oh no.. NEVER.. hahaha.. I did sweat blood on my way up..I held on tight to my whole body which was on the verge of collapse. Every inch of my flesh begged me to stop. But I didn’t. And when I reached the top, my whole being wasn’t really able react to what was there.. Beauty beyond words.

Julio and Sara

I can stay mad with everything that has happened to me on my way up and down Mount Bulusan. It was EXHAUSTING in every sense of the word...T_T.. I got hungry, and thirsty, and my legs got so scratched that it looked like chopping board due to sharp leaves.. But how can I stay mad with all the beauty I’ve witnessed and realized? T_T

I have been asking my trekmates of why they are climbing..And none of us can really answer why.. But what keeps us from doing so.. climbing mountains.. despite the hustles and difficulties... Well you can just imagine what’s in there that is so addictive..Because we just can’t tell you..But you can join us.. on our next trek and you can find out for yourself...:)

OMG's first climb at Mt. Bulusan
words by Sara Em

Mt. Bulusan / Bulusan Volcano

Location:  12.8N, 124.1E
Altitude:  1,565 masl (5,133 feet)

Jump-off point: Bulusan Lake, Bulusan, Sorsogon

Days Required: 1-2 days / Hours to summit: 6 hours

Specs:  Major climb / Difficulty:  5/9 / Trail Class:  3

A view of Mt. Bulusan from Dancalan Beach, Gubat, Sorsogon

Bulusan Volcano is located at the south central part of Sorsogon Province. It covers a surface area roughly 400 sq. km. and towers to about 1559 m. above sea level. The volcano forms part of the Bicol Volcanic Chain which stretches from Camarines Norte in the north to Sorsogon in the south. The chain, sometimes called volcanic belt, is composed of active and geologically young volcanoes most probably related to the Philippine Trench.

A view of Mt. Bulusan Crater (Blackbird Lake) from the Summit

Bulusan is clasified as a composite volcano and is made up of lava flows and domes. It is flanked by several cones namely:  Mt. Homahan, Mt. Binactan, Mt. Batuan, Mt. Juban, Mt. Calaunan, Mt. Tabon-Tabon, Mt. Calungalan and Mt. Jormajan. Beside the active volcano is an old ridge called Sharp Peak which is 1215 m. high and 1.8 km. to the northeast. Between Bulusan and Jormajan is the Natakop lava dome.

Recent eruptions have been recorded that happened in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011. 

Bulusan Volcano Eruption last Feb. 20, 2011 at around 9AM

Trail from Bulusan Lake to Summit

Sources of information:

http://www.malapascua.de/Volcanoe-Map/Vulkan_BULUSAN/hauptteil_vulkan_bulusan.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Bulusan