Climbing Mt. Janagdan in Ormoc City, Leyte

Group picture before going down the mountain to pick-up our backpacks at the junction.

Ormoc-bound Via Wonderful Stars

Fellow trekkers from Cebu bound to MFPI(Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines Inc) All Women’s climb.

Liz & I boarded the 10 PM boat ride where we saw a group of what seem to be headed to the All Women’s climb as well. After the confirmation, we tag along but was separated inside the boat. We were 9 in all. 5 were from COAT (Scarlet,Joy,Gwen,Mich & Ta Ma) & 2 free lancers (Ann & Hyra).

I was so surprised at the Tourist accommodation, beddings can be borrowed. Liz got us a lower deck bed, we were very comfortable & was sound asleep 30 minutes after the boat departs Cebu.

Ormoc Arrival

View from the “Wonderful Stars” upon arriving in Ormoc City!

We were reunited when the boat arrived in Ormoc and were all famished. We proceeded to look for an open Carenderia at around 5 AM. After eating, we gathered at the tourism office waiting for our ride & the other participants.

Happy to have found a carenderia that is open at such an early hour.

As scheduled, the ride arrived at 6:00 AM. And to my amazement, it was a military truck complete with military escorts. Wew! Feeling VIP. 5 trekkers completed the list; 2 were the organizers Charo & Aileen; The 3 were Kristine, Haiz & Carl. At 7:30 AM, we left for a 30 minute ride to our jump-off of the day, Brgy Cabintan.

Our pick-up for the day that would take us to our first stop – Brgy Cabintan!

Start of trek to Lake Janagdan

Praying for a safe trek!

Warm-up exercise! And that’s me in the red pants & blue cap. Yay! Courtesy of Kuya Guide!

At 9:00 AM we start the trek with a prayer led by one of the organizer Ms. Aileen and a warm-up exercise led by COAT(Cebu Outdoor Adventure Team) member, Gwen . It was definitely a good choice ’cause the way up ahead was no joke. The warm up exercise has been a great start-up.

On the way to Mt. Janagdan.

The tall grasses covering the pathways.

Liz maneuvering her way up. I had to hurry to take a picture.

We were scrambling our way to the top against trees, loose paths & slippery leaves. It would have been an ultimate disaster if I have my 12-kg back pack with me. We didn’t really know before hand that we’d be trekking to Mt. Janagdan without our big backpacks. But despite the less load, I still feel battered but as usual, the view makes up for every bruise & itchiness earned on the way.

Happy faces despite the uphill battle. Survivor looks!

Cristine climbing over the tree. Guess what I did? Climb or crawl?

Liz balancing her way up the tree just so she could take a selfie. WOW!

The Lake Janagdan

Hello Lake Janagdan after 2 hours! My face doesn’t look so hungry but I AM! That was some CLIMB!

Happy to have finally reached our destination! Yay! Ms. Ai with her welcoming pose!

Lake Janagdan is a crater lake occupying the caldera of Mount Janagdan, a dormant volcano in the north-central part of the island of Leyte.  Despite the dry season, the lake was amazingly still full of waters

After 2 hours of walking, enjoying the view and catching our breaths, we arrived at the lake.  We had lunch, some bathe, others decided to sleep while the remaining enjoys exchanging stories. I was with the others who decided to sleep. It was really a better choice considering our next stop is still 5 hours away.

Lunch time!!!

Swimming time for Haiz, Cristine & the organizers Ms Ai & Ms Charo.

Chika time for COAT pipz while nap time for Hyra and me, of course after I took the picture. 😀

Views on the way to the junction (exit point of the Janagdan Trek)

And Haiz was quick to turn around when I said “Picture”! This was the path in between Alto & Lake Janagdan. I wish I had a drone to capture just how amazing standing in between these 2 majestic creations of God. Priceless!

Me with the lake!

Anne with Alto Peak!

I had to endure the fear of falling down the slope just so I could have this picture. 😀 Ohhh it seems like I’m touching Alto Peak!

Peak-A-Boo!

Cristine balancing on the tree following Haiz!

The trek against trees evolved from medium to high when we left the lake. We were no longer just grappling on the trees this time. We were walking, balancing, hugging and some more with the trees. It feels like Talinis but in a higher level. In between, tree grappling, we are also endangered by the very unstable pathways of grass, roots & loose leaves. Despite being battered, we were easily amused of Alto Peak’s view in the right & lake Janagdan on the left.

I drank all my water after I took this picture. Wrong move. 😛 Looks could be deceiving indeed. It seems so near yet it was still an hour away. Waaaaaaaaaaaa!

Redemption! COKE!!!

When we left Janagdan, I only have some half glass full of water & consumed it all when I finally saw the target road only to be mortified that it’s still about an hour away. oh well,I should have brought 2 liters instead.

The Junction & the much needed surprise!
I constantly thought of water along the way & was repeatedly offered by Kristine who was ahead of me in going down. Despite being very thirsty, I politely declined since she was almost out of water as well. My feet was already aching but I know I had to hasten each ride to finally get a hold of my water in my big backpack. And then I saw the rode again. I was more pumped up. Then I heard them talking about the coke waiting for us. I really thought it was a joke. Haha! Super thanks to the surprise ’cause it really brought my energy back. Coke with ice & watermelon is a very fitting tribute to our wavering strengths. 😀

So what’s the commotion all about…again? That’s a sulfur mountain on the background!

Lizzy enjoying the watermelon!!!

And I heard them right. It wasn’t my imagination…COKES! Ahhh!

Happy women after drinking coke & eating watermelons! Ready to camp for the night.

Big thanks to NULOC (Nature Unlimited Leyte Outdoor Club) boys for the surprise. ❤

First Camp at the foot of Alto Peak ( There’s a water source! Hooray!)

Reunited with our big packs!

On the way to the foot of Alto Peak!

The camp is very near!

Settling in for the night!

When we are all rejuvenated, we proceeded to the camp which is still 2 hours away. 🙂

Just some highs on today’s trek:
1. I realized how easy it is to trek upwards with just an assault pack.
2. On the way down to the junction from the lake, I was amazed at our pace. We were walking 3 hours straight with almost no major stops.
3. There were so many cameras. I love how I have captured them on mine & me in theirs.
4. I just realized that this trip is not just an Alto Peak Climb but a Janagdan Climb as well.
5. They made me realize that this is a sort of a freedom climb since this is my first time climbing without the Mister. 😀

Low lights:
1. Should have brought 2 liters of water instead of 1.

Itinerary:
Day 0
22:00 Ormoc bound via Roble shipping (Php550 ticket, Php 25 Terminal Fee)

Day 01
05:00 Breakfast at Carenderia just outside the pier. (Php 100 packed lunch included)
06:00 Assembly @ City Tourism Office
07:30 Off to Brgy Cabintan
08:30 Preparing assault pack
09:00 Start of trek to Lake Janagdan
11:00 Lunch at lake
13:00 Left lake bound to junction to pickup bags
16:30 At junction enjoying cold coke & watermelon
18:00 Camp for the night

COAT (Cebu Outdoor Adventure Team) campers in colorful tents!

Us, Haiz& Cristine & The Organizers!

The best part of camping in Alto Peak Foot – the water source!!!

Getting ready to munch on our menu of the night – Odong & fried chicken c/o of Lizzy. This time, we were eating an unpopcorned rice. Yay! I’m getting good at cooking rice. Weeee! PERFECT!!!

All Women Climb Series:
Summary: MFPI All Women’s Climb (TO POST)
AWC Day 1 – Climbing Mt. Janagdan in Ormoc City, Leyte -> You are here.
AWC Day 2 – Climbing Alto Peak in Ormoc City, Leyte
AWC Day 3 – Camping at Lake Danao, Ormoc City  (TO POST)