THE VERDANT MOUNT MALINAO OF ALBAY

 Location:  Bounded between the municipalities of Malinao, Tiwi and Polangui in Albay province

                     of the Philippines

The heavily blanketed lush tropical forest of Mount Malinao

Major/Frequently used jump-off point: Sitio Kulapnit, Brgy. Sugcad, Malinao, Albay, Philippines
Alternate Jump-off Point 1: Barangay Tanawan, Alinao (Malinao), Albay
Alternate Jump-off Point 2: Gabas Elementary School, Buhi District, Camarines Sur (Polangui side)
Alternate Jump-off Point 3: Tiwi Town Plaza/Tiwi Municipal Hall, Tiwi, Albay
Alternate Jump-off Point 4: Brgy. Amtic/Sabluyon, Ligao City, Albay
Elevation: 1,548 MASL (5,079 feet)
Days required / Hours to summit: 2 days / 4 - 7 hours
Specs: Minor climb, 5/9 Difficulty, Trail Class 2-3

Features: It is an ancient collapsed caldera with strong fumarolic activity.  Its trail varies with ridge of lower agro-systems to secondary montane forests which transitions to secondary dipterocarp montane and dense upper-elevation forest zones on its mid-to-high point levels.  Its mid-level and upper forest structures include regenerating saplings (such as Shorea species) alongside various epiphytes, orchids, ferns (Medinilla, Vaccinium), and Rhododendron), and climbing vines.  As the terrain climbs past the 900-meter mark and toward the caldera peaks, the forest becomes significantly denser and richer, eventually shifting into narrow ridgelines, steep moss-or root-covered paths, and areas dotted with tall grasses, bushes, and low shrubs near the upper rim and crater edges.

Day 1 

The scenic road heading to Malinao municipality

I was a joiner of this climb, which I paid for P2,200 for this climb package thru its organizers, Azzur Rex and Rica Barizo of Mountain Joiners: Trek with Excitement Outdoor Club in Albay.  This was my third climb with them and so I've known a few of their joiners.  In fact, the assembly point was at Daraga Shell, but Sir  Shernel John Logenio Perdigon, who was one of my climbing buddies from first two climbs of this service provider offered me to pick-up from my place with his car in Guinobatan, Albay.

Our Mount Malinao Team of climbers

We arrived at the jump-off point at 10:24 AM.   The place has a store and it is still along the concrete road.  We stayed there for 32 minutes and even have our group picture clad with our event t-shirt which is a part of the climbing package of P2,200.  Azzur Rex always see to it that in every climb, there is a t-shirt provision.

Just a few minutes of our trek

In my mobile phone, the time clocked at 10:56 AM when we started to the climb.  It was not so hot then but we started with an open trail.

An abaca plantation along our trail

This local dense abaca plantation just form part of the initial leg of the trail with relatively gradual terrain.   I can even see some local farmers harvesting or processing the abaca fibers drying it under the heat of the sun when we passed this section.

Our first regrouping at 12:22 Noon

Passing thru this point at 1:19 PM

I was so extra cautious of my steps at this section as the massive rocks where we stepped on are mossy and slippery.  The water was so clean and clear that it was so inviting to swim.

Exploring further this alternative stream

Everybody was enticed to stay on this picturesque and clean & crystal clear stream, that some of us plunged to irresistible river system.

Moving farther to its water source

As we moved along, we found ourselves into a 2-tiered water falls which appeared to be magical pushing me to be completely spell bound.

The freezing cold water falls

Despite the cold water from the water falls, it did not stop a few in our group to experience its cascading waters drip into their willing bodies.  I personally opted not to join them as I knew my body tolerance o cold temperature.

Back on trail at 2:24 PM

I suppose the water falls engagement was just a side trip.  Our organizer where we stayed there for more than 30 minutes enjoying mother nature at its best.

Pitching our tents at the campsite for overnight camping

We arrived at the Sugcad Plaza or campsite at 2:42 PM and after pitching out tents, we started our socials, for this was nothing to do but to feel the breathtaking view of the place.

The sprawling lowlands and the sea beyond of Albay

What is so rewarding being at Sugcad Plaza campsite is that with its 685 meters above sea level (MASL) elevation, it can showcase the vast lowlands of Albay and even the sea beyond it.  It was not really sunny then, but the day was still up, staying inside our tents was uncomforably warm.

Gathered around praying first to later feast on a sumptuous dinner at 8:00 PM

One of the best reasons why I kept joining Azzur Rex group was him and Rica are the best chef in the mountains, serving us with delectable meals with a complete set of rice, meat, vegetables or viands of four dishes supplemented with dessert --- all freshly cooked in the mountains, while us, joiners are completely mesmerized of being in the mountain.

Ready for the evening socials

The best part of a climb, wherever mountain it is, is the socials.  It helps all the joiners to get to know each other.  Mostly sharing of life's experiences, but mostly travel and climbing experiences.  It is even funnier when joiners who had been together from previous climbs recall their experience from happy to extreme ones.

Day 2

Scaling to higher elevation of the mountain at 6:11 AM

The wake-up call was at 5:00 AM to prepare ourselves for the resumption of the climb this time heading to the summit.   Breakfast was already ready at 5:30 AM with hot coffee and hot chocolate.  Our packed lunch was already provided.  It was still dark in the forest when we started the trek where obviously I had a head light of mine.

Capturing Mount Mayon volcano from a clearing point at 7:03 AM

From this point, we were already exploring a highly dense forest of montane secondary dipterocarp nature exhibiting the highest plant diversity generally of lower tree statistics compared to old-growth primary forests.