June 12 - 14, 2009
Elevation: 1903 m (5905 feet) above sea level
- Second highest mountain in Visayas after Mt. Kanla-on
Location: 9 kilometers Southwest of Valencia, Negros Oriental
Type: Stratovolcano
First of all, I’d like to extend my gratitude to my mentors from COAT family who molded and motivated me to become a mountaineer, though this is just only a beginning of my 
chosen hobby. Long before when I was in college, I’m always dreaming that someday, I’ll carry my heavy backpack and stay on the wilderness. Coz I really missed those moments when I was a youngster, since I was born and raised on the hilly province of Sarangani, where we used to play on the forested area near on our house. That happiness made me persuade to find ways to bring back the memories of living with the serene environment. I never regret of joining this mountaineering club the Cebu Outdoor and Adventure Team (COAT) but I guess whatever organization will do for me since they’re all sharing the same purpose and advocacies.
Ohhh.. enough for the introduction hehehe, let’s start on my first ever semi-major climb experienced. From the 1st week of the month of May, the group started to plan and looking for a possible mountain to scale. The group partially divided into two, 1st group for the experienced climber but we’re all have an option to join them but the budget is quiet high… it’s Mt. Guiting-Guiting commonly known as G2 in Sibuyan Island, Romblon and the other group planned to scale the country's largest active volcano and Visayas' highest mountain in Negros Island, the Mount Kanlaon. But on the first week of June, our weatherman (Kidjoe) notified us that the projected weather will become wild on our scheduled itinerary (June 12-14) that’s why we called it, the Freedom Climb (falls on Philippine Independence Day) but somebody said that it’s a Fun Climb? Hehehe it’s really a 
joke.
So our mountain gurus quickly shifted to plan B, which we decided to merge the group and together ascend the known Cuernos de Negros (Horns of Negros), the Mt. Talinis which is about 1,903 meters (5905 feet) above sea level, it is the second highest mountain in Negros Oriental after Mt. Kanla-on. Wow it’s so exciting for the first timers like me, I believe that I can do it but I’ll just want to erase the doubt and prove to myself.
So, one week before the scheduled climb, I already filed for my vacation leave (2 days) it’s our company policy, for me to avail the monthly cash incentives :) hehe tatak sigurista. On the crack of dawn of June 12 the group gathered at Caltex Star Mart, in front of South Bus Terminal and started the light drinking session which we believe 
that will help us to fall asleep while traveling for long hours (3+ hrs. P 127.00/Ceres Liner), lucky for those who seated in front and maybe some of the group got a little nap. We arrived at Lilo-an (Puerto del Sur), Santander at 03:55am... which is too early for the scheduled ferry (04:30am) bound for Sibulan, Dumaguete (30 mins., for fastcraft (P 62.00/inclusive on terminal fee).
At 05:00am, we touched down The City of Gentle People, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. Since it’s their town fiesta, Allan (COAT) invited us to take our breakfast at his girlfriend’s house..hehehe.. pabaga jud og nawong, anyway thanks for the food :) (we stayed there for 2+ hrs.). At 08:12am we had our last buy at the public market, 
including our pack lunch (wat da… regular fried chicken at P 40.00?), I guess they’re only taking advantage to us since they know that we really need to buy.. bantay lng mo anhi mo sa Cebu kay ilaron pd mo.. hehehe.
Since we took the Bediao route (Magsaysay) we need to travel for almost an hour by jeepney (P 100.00/head) for us to take at the jump off area. At 09:30 we started to assault, that time I felt the thrill with the mixed of emotions. I really appreciate the effort of the locals for their support of preserving the nature. After an hour of trekking, we reached the dense forest where you can only hear the song of the nature, the fog started to invade the jungle and you can really feel it; no wonder mountaineering is a very special hobby. We passed by the century old trees and logs, diversities of plants, insects, birds and etc. At 01:05pm we reached the famous Yagumyum Lake. We took our lunch there and have some rest and of course the picture2x galore, we stayed there for almost an hour then we resume the trek. The most beautiful part of trek is on the Deer-face ridge, what a breathtaking view (thanks God for the fine weather). Just a 
few meters, we saw the Quicksand field below the ridge but before reaching, I don’t have an idea that we must undergo the challenging downhill, but I love it hehehe…that time I realized the advantage of having a long-legged :) , seems like we’re on the race with Ralph hehehe bisan kapoy pero lingaw… at exactly 04:00pm I arrived at the famous Nailig Lake… wow what a feeling…
After few minutes, we started to pitch our tent and cook for our dinner (delicious pork sinigang by Buddai). Though, I failed to join their socials (drinking session, coz I really need to rest) but I guess at 11pm I woke up and listened to their loud voice, now believe the magic and wonder of Tanduay hehehe. As early as 5am I get up and 
started to greet the wonderful morning at Nailig Lake. We started to cook for our breakfast and mind you, we had our special menu… the spaghetti with pesto + bread + coffee hehehe. After we took our lunch, we started to trek to Ranchohan (Ranch) I wonder how they carry those animals. We passed by the Kaipuhan (Sulfuric River) picture2x of course. By 01:00pm+ we arrived at the Ranchohan camp site, started pitching our tent and cook for our lunch. We started the socials as early as 3pm hehehe, too early for the drinking session but we don’t any choices. Late in the afternoon, me, James, Jake and Melben decided to go to the Twin falls just a 10 minutes walk away from the camp site. It’s an amazing experience, seems we can’t resist the biting cold. We stayed their for only 15 minutes I think, we’re just dipped only for few minutes kay pwerting bugnawa… mokuyos ang &tlog hehehe
At 05:00pm we started to cook for our dinner, the lights off seems early than in Nailig Lake. One of the reasons, the insufficient supply of liquid gore-tex (Tanduay) hehe. At 09:30 am we started to descend through River Y via Valencia Ridge to Casaroro entrance the to Tejeros Spring to refresh ourselves and took our lunch. At 02:45pm we leaved Valencia and we’re bound to Sibulan Port.
That’s the end of our journey to Mt. Talinis, what a stunning experienced we had. Thanks God for your guidance, safety and good weather. Thanks also to the COAT family, you’re one of a kind guys… till next climb.
More pictures Gallery 1 and Gallery 2
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