AKSYON Radyo Bacolod broadcaster and nature lover John Dale Salazar shared his amazing experience of trekking a scenic mountain -- Mt. Igcoron in Barangay Binangonan, Valderrama, Antique.
It was part of his bucket list for 2023. After over a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, he is back at his happy place, the mountain.
“It’s a surreal feeling to connect again with God’s majestic creation after the pandemic. I was with my friends and members of the Lakat Mountaineering Club (LMC), a Negros-based organization that enjoys chasing mountains. It was not part of the plan to go back to outdoor activity, especially when my high school core group disbanded and some were busy with their chosen careers. Thank God we were back,” he said.
He said that it was Facebook that recommended him the LMC social media post asking participants for their inaugural trek in 2023.
“I inquired and invited some of my friends, too. The best part of being a joiner is that you don’t have to worry about planning, which includes the itinerary, incurring expenses, and securing permits, among others,” he said.
From Bacolod City, they rode a roll-on, roll-off vessel from Bredco Port to Dumangas Port with two hours of travel time. The group hired three vans that transported them from Dumangas to the jump-off point for at least seven hours, including stopovers.
“We were lucky because we might be the last hikers allowed to ascend Mt. Igcoron. According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Valderrama town, there’s a plan to regulate hiking activity in the area. At the beginning of the hike, we were welcomed by the beautiful rice terraces and the visible knife-edge of Mt. Igcoron from afar,” he said.
He added that the trail is good for a few beginners who were with them. They passed by several streams and water sources as well.
“We enjoyed our lunch on the trail while taking many breathtaking pictures. I was surprised to discover a few families living simply in the mountains,” he stressed.
It drizzled for a few minutes, but everyone was ready with their raincoats. Admittedly, some hikers lost their way but eventually, they were able to find the right trail.
After almost three hours of climbing with tired knees, they reached the campsite but not the summit yet. They set up their tent in a beautiful landscape and took a rest until it rained so hard. They witnessed a stunning sea of clouds that made their trip even more memorable.
“We had our socials at night and met my fellow campers who work as government employees, teachers, social workers, and even students, among others,” he shared.
The following day, they had their morning hike as early as 5:30 a.m., en route to the summit, which is a bit steep, for an hour until they reached the breathtaking knife edges of the mountain.
Mt. Igcoron has three summits. The highest peak rises 700 meters above sea level.
“It was a picture-perfect example of God’s creation. We stayed at the summit for a few minutes and enjoyed its striking view. Also, I had the opportunity to operate my drone camera for cinematic content,” he said.
It was a worthy hike after two years. If my job schedule permits, I’d like to climb three other mountains this year. Indeed, mountain hiking will always be the only kind of adventure, Salazar said.