Mt.Asog / Mt. Iriga
Camarines Sur
Major Jump-offs: Sitio Ilian, Brgy. San Nicolas, Iriga City; Brgy. Cabatuan, Buhi
Elevation: 1,140 MASL
Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail Class 1-4
You will be welcome with the large IRIGA CITY symbol just like the one in Hollywood. At the foot of Mt. Asog. Iriga City is located in Camarines Sur which is 10 hours away from Manila.
Mt. Asog also known as Mt. Iriga It is home to the Agta, a tribal people of Bicol which is same complexion with our Katutubong Aetas . It has coconut plantation, Squash/ Kalabasa, Chinese cabbage /Pechay and Baguio bean plantation. Our route is the Ilian trail that has always been the most preferred by local mountaineers because it is very proximate to the city and more locals offering mountain guides. It’s the easiest trail we also complete the hike 5.5 hours.
The trail here was accordingly to my best friend Froi was same with Mt. Damas trail because of the straight assault. Along the trail you’re going to encounter a lot of insect species like dragonfly, bugs and ant. But in the summit there a lot of flying insects I don’t its name. There is no water source. So I advice you when you’re planning to hike this even in the usual trail bring 2 liters of water because the trail is open and it’s hot. But when you want some extreme and challenging,try the other Sto.Domingo trail which is the killer trail accordingly to one of my friends who try this trail it has Kissed the Wall segment and Rope Segment. And he mentioned “ Madaming natatapos na relasyon at pagkakaibigan doon”
Mt. Asog welcome us with the beautiful weather. But sooner the sun disappeared. And as usual every hike, I just got nothing but the beautiful fog hahahah. But we wait for until the fog disappeared to witness the marvelous view of the mountain.
We reached the Summit of Mt. Asog by 12pm battling with the warmth and itchy tall Talahib grasses. We wait for clearing to witness the beautiful and marvelous 360 degree view of Iriga City, Mt. Masaraga standing tall and proud while beneath it is the famous Lake Buhi with its famous smallest food fish in the world listed in the Guiness Book of Record the “Sinarapan” or Mistichthys luzonensis.
So far this hike was one of the most happy to go lucky hike for me , I maybe felt tired but it’s all worth it. My team mate was so cheerful and bubbly we enjoyed each other company. I enjoyed taking pictures of those lovely flowers along the trail. Me and My teammate also enjoyed drinking and eating coconut It was refreshing and delicious. This is the one of the best hikes for me, I highly recommended “Tsinelas Transit “ organize by Kuya Xhvia, Madam Lily and Kuya Gerecho. They are all friendly and approachable looking forward to the next climb with you guys. Thank you to all my co joiners I really enjoyed this hike. Thank you Besh Froi for inviting me to join this hike, I never regret saying yes. Thank you again everyone. I promise I’ll be back here soon to witness the Rise of the Sun.
Mountaineering 