Luscious green surroundings, deep blue skies and cotton puff clouds, these vivid thoughts of such majestic view makes one wonder with awe what one can appreciate in the wilderness as the bus¹ roles through the zigzag roads in Camarines Sur. All of these runs in my mind during the wee hours of Holy Wednesday. Such virtual images will come to reality once I set foot at the two peaks in Bicol.

Traveling at night gives one a good night rest for the big day ahead. Even though how bumpy it is the excitement and anticipation gives a full surge of energy for the conquering of the first peak, Mount Isarog.

Meeting the team’s guide upon arrival in downtown Naga² set forth the phase I of the whole 5 day expedition. Gerry and Mark both experienced and seasoned climbers of Isarog graciously accommodated our inquiries of what lies ahead. With all our backpacks loaded in our rented, all-purpose terrain vehicle, the jeep, we arrived at the base of Isarog via Barangay Panicuason³ by 8 A.M.

Isarog’s eight hour trek through the long winding and steep trails of 60 to 90 degrees inclination made me look at life with a masochistic point of view. Carrying almost 40 plus pounds of backpack as one either climbs over or crawls on dead fallen trees with restricted sizes and even grip with all of one’s might on such inclined trails makes me await the fulfillment of achievement once the group reach our destination.

Being a medic for the MMS⁴ team offers extra burden with the load and a responsibility to look over each ones health condition. But that is my job, a job that I love the most and a responsibility that I vowed to do whatever, whenever and wherever I am. Such an expedition is not full of flying colors, since we were besieged with a casualty along the way.

Jhon one of our team members, lagged behind the group. The efforts of our tailwoman and team leader, Blanca and Bobby G., plus the moral support by the other members got him thru to Base Camp six (6). The first two basecamps welcomed us with stinging excitement as the mosquitoes punch their way through our hiking clothes and skin to taste metropolitan blood, a new flavor for them to savor. This may be due to the fact that we passed nearby three falls that may give a good breeding site to our stinging hosts.

The trek to the rest of the basecamps, 3,4 and 5 was now purely a vertical experience. The trail was a mixture of mud, rocks and logs that halted each one’s momentum. Early lunch along the trail was a welcome rest especially to our casualty.**

By 4 P.M., 1500+ meters⁵ from sea level, the team reached our final destination, basecamp 6. Tired leg muscles, crampy shoulders, sweat and mud that has been tagged along the ascent now was shrugged off with the success from the climb.

Spending the night in BC6 with 6 tents all pitched close together prepared the MMS Bicol explorers for Day 2, the assault to the summit. Enjoying a warm dinner over weather temperatures ranging from 12 to 18 degrees centigrade⁶ is a wonderful treat to a growling stomach. Doing the evening socials prior to the 9 P.M. lights out gave a bonding among the members.

Cool breezes of wind with the swaying of the leaves greeted us in our early morning breakfast. A full meal of rice and omellete gave each and every one an extra boost for the summit climb. 2 hours up and an hour down were worth the effort, for which the view I imagined was now a reality. The western view was overlooking the Bicol area of Naga and Pili with the green fields peeping under the swift flowing clouds covering it and the summit forestry adding floral life to the splendid site. As expected at 1800 meter⁷, when strong winds dispersed the covering clouds it gave us a wonderful view for a few moments of the valley in Mt. Isarog with the Rangas river as envisioned on the eastern border. A site to behold, a site to cherish, a site to remember that will capture a person’s being. Sharing it with someone not there was made possible via the wonders of electronic communication, the cellphone⁸. Boki and I called our respective loved ones and shared our euphoria of what we accomplished and saw.

Upon our return to basecamp, we then broke camp and backtracked to our starting point that was all done by 4 PM. With our downtrail H₂O supply depleted, everybody rejoiced when we reached the foot of Isarog with our jeepney shuttle waiting.

As Mark and Gerry bid farewell to the team we immediately went to Naga and ate a tasty, sumptuous meal that gave a heartfelt satisfaction. Noel, one of the team members had to go back to Manila which left us now with only 13 in the group. When the night befell us, the explorers appreciated the long drive to our next town destination, Buhi⁹ with its famous lake, Itbog falls and peak number two, Mount Asog. It was unanimous! The previously planned ascent to Mt. Asog, for Days 3-4 and recuperation time on Itbog falls for Day 5, was turned the other way around. Everybody wants a rest. Everybody needed it. After setting camp at Maguindara Resort¹⁰ at Buhi during our arrival last night, the team clamored for a refreshing, relaxing treat to Itbog falls.

It was on the other side of Buhi Lake¹¹, in Mt. Malinao. The town folks boast of the lake due its tasty Tilapia¹² and the world’s smallest commercial fish, Mistichthys luzonensis.¹³ Locals call it "Sinarapan" and they have high regards to this almost endangered species. A special fishing nursery area was created to preserve and save this wonder from nature.

After our late breakfast in Buhi market, the explorers undertook a 20 minute boat ride to the far side of the lake. It was easier and more relaxing than going another route, a long half-day trek around the lake which nobody voted to do. We then finally arrived after 30 minutes of leisurely walking along the side of Mt. Malinao, providing a view of the ricefields, lake Buhi and Mt. Asog. Everyone was elated to take a dip on the shallow flowing cool stream that came from the falls. Few more uphill steps and there she was. Running down on two separate bodies of water, splashing with no restrictions, giving a moist and misty atmosphere, Itbog falls enticed us with all its splendor. Gallons of water pouring down the twin falls, I positioned myself along its path giving me a good deep massage on my back and extremities.

Preparing Fettuccini lunch with spicy tuna and cream of mushroom soup gave the group a delight in our taste buds and fullness to the stomach after immersing in the falls. Returning to the resort by 3 PM and talking to our next group of guides, Glenn and his companions, briefed Bobby G., Jun and me on our itinerary for tomorrow which was later conveyed to the team. Repacking our stuff after dinner, and reloading our water containers before hitting the sack made us all wonder, "Ascent to Asog, Will it be a success or a failure?" Rooster’s crowing "Cock-a-doodle-doo" in series all over Buhi woke me up at 5 AM. It is as if my alarm clock keeps going and going with the exception that I can’t turn it off. Treking gear on, sleeping pads folded, tents unpitched, breakfast taken and water supply checked, just looking over Mt. Asog at the edge of the cliff in Maguindara Resort gave my gut feeling a reliable sense, "This is a good day to climb!"

Asog’s uneven crater rim with the eastern side higher, such that the edge suddenly plunges into the crater and the shallower and slower slope on the western part, gives the mountaineer’s eyes the thought of the unpredictability of nature’s old harsh eruptions.

Two hours of trail walk on cornfields and forest landscape with gradual climbs is a leisurely stroll for us mountaineers. MMS explorers felt this is just too easy after our Isarog days. It is however unfortunate that Jhon our previous casualty, bid farewell to the team as we started our ascent. What a view upon arrival to basecamp "Bestfriend Johnny"¹⁴! "There is more to it once we reach the rim of the crater." Glenn exclaimed to us as we unloaded our gear and quickly set up camp. We were then greeted with some drizzle as the passing clouds covered the crater that was slowly lifted up to the other side by the winds from Buhi Lake. Although the temperature is quite higher than Isarog, ranging between 22 to 30 degrees centigrade¹⁵, we could live with the heat.

Lunch was served and after another drizzle, off we go to the rim. All were at ease as everybody took this one as a fun climb. Thirty minutes had passed and low and behold, Glenn was right. The Buhi Lake manifested its beauty with its crystals of sparkling water shining thru the rays of the sun with Mt. Malinao¹⁶ on the other side. Mt. Masaraga¹⁷ on the right of Malinao was covered all over by cumulus clouds and on the back of it, the explorers saw the perfect mountain cone, Mt. Mayon¹⁸ ever standing with charm and aura.

The crater was filled with pine trees wherein not one is found outside the rim. As Glenn told his experiences with his group and other dark stories of adventure, the team lingered and relished the scenery that no metropolitan born person could ever see in his city.

Getting dark, back to camp, Glenn left already and we were on our own. Crater exploration was reset for another climb due to its not so safe trail¹⁹. Dinner finished and stargazing was the event for the night hand in hand with acappella singing of the young and old, as well as the in-tune and off-tune. "Goodnight guys" as I reconfirm to myself, "It had really been a good day for a climb!"

It was 10 AM and we were back in town. After getting lost during our way down, the team took a refreshing bath in the lake. Glenn and company greeted us again and toured us in their town. Once we got our "pasalubong" we waited for the bus service at 5 PM.

As the bus arrived and accelerated its way on the road to Manila, the team was silent, however sensing from them, it was an extensive 5 days of mountain climbing dream experience. Reviewing the expedition, the team garnered 2 casualties along the phases of the climb plus aching backs and legs from all the team members. Come to think of it, "Well…. We didn’t do too bad, but it could have been better.", while putting my bus seat to a semi-reclined position. All we now need is our post-climb meeting and I am sure it will be a long one too with each one’s experience, tales and points of view to reminisce.