MARIVELES VOLCANO IN BATAAN

Photo from:  corregidor.org

The small, but voluminous Mariveles stratovolcano is located at the southern end of the Bataan Peninsula, on the west side of Manila Bay, Luzon Island, Philippines.

Although there are no known eruptions in historic times, it is a still active stratovolcano of andesitic composition. It has a 4-km-wide caldera open to the south. Mount Slamet on the north and Mount Limay on the east are 2 large, young flank cones.

Photo from:  malapascua.de

Mount Mariveles is a dormant volcano located in the province of Bataan in the Philippines. Mt. Mariveles and the adjacent Mount Natib comprise 80.9 percent of the total land area of the province. The mountain and adjacent cones lie opposite the city of Manila across Manila Bay, providing a beautiful setting for the sunsets seen from Manila.

Mount Mariveles lies at the southern end of the Zambales Mountains in the Bataan Peninsula, west of Manila Bay. Bataan province belongs to the Central Luzon or Region III of the Philippines.

Photo from:  corregidor.org

Mariveles is a massive stratovolcano topped with a 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) summit caldera which drains to the north. The highest peak, called Mariveles, has an elevation of 1,388 metres (4,554 ft) asl. Mounts Pantingan, Bataan, Tarak, and Vintana are the other peaks of the volcano-caldera complex, which has a base diameter of 22 kilometres (14 mi).

Mount Samat on the northern slope and Mount Limay on the eastern slope, are major, youthful-looking parasitic cones of the volcano.

Mariveles is still thermally active with the following hot springs located within the complex: Tiis Spring, Saysain Spring, and Pucot Spring.

Photo from:  panoramio.com

There are already three peaks familiar to the local mountaineering community namely: Tarak Ridge, Pantingan or Banayan Peak, and Mariveles Ridge. The rest of the peaks in the caldera are still waiting to be explored.

Tarak Ridge is the more well-known destination on Mount Mariveles with its jump-off point situated at Barangay Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan.^[4] Pantingan Peak (locally called Banayan Peak) can be accessed through Sitio Duhat, Saysain, Bagac, Bataan. Mariveles Ridge can be accessed through Sitio Parca, Mariveles, Bataan. - wikipedia.org

Photo from:  porkydocs.webs.com

BALATUKAN VOLCANO

Mount Balatukan Range (also known as Balingoan or Balatocan) is a massive compound stratovolcano that rises above northwest shore of Gingoog Bay Misamis Oriental, Philippines. It is the highest peak in the city of Gingoog and the Municipalities of Claveria, Balingasag and Medina. It is sacred to the Higaonons and in the olden times their ancestors made pilgrimages to its peak. A lake called Danao is on its caldera or mouth. The mountain is an old volcano, said to have erupted in the 17th century.

Photo from:  philippine-evolution.com

It rises steeply to a long ridge with several peaks of almost 2,000 m and one of 2,442 m. The mountains retain extensive forest cover, and old growth forest is estimated to cover 6,500 ha. This is mainly montane forest, including mossy forest. The extent of primary lowland forest has been greatly reduced by logging and kaingin activities, and in 1997 this forest type was reported to be almost absent from the mountain. There are some areas of residual forest and cogon grassland.

Today it looks over Gingoog City like a watchful sentry, guarding Gingoog from typhoons and strong winds. Three planes perished in its vicinity, the last one being the jet of defense secretary Devilla. Fortunately he was not on board when the plane crashed. The ill-fated Flight 387 of Cebu Pacific perished in its adjacent mountain: Mt. Lumot as impact point and Mt. Somagaya the final resting place of the unfortunate air transport.

Photo from: philippine-evolution.com

Source:  pinoyphotoblog.com

MT. ISAROG IN CAMARINES SUR

Mount Isarog is a potentially active stratovolcano located in the province of Camarines Sur, Island of Luzon, Philippines.

A paradise at the heart of Camarines Sur is lotfy Mt. Isarog, rising to 1966 MASL. This mountain has a rich biodiversity and beautiful views: its very own mossy forests and verdant crater, an overview of Bicol Peninsula, and a glimpse of majestic Mt. Mayon. It abundance of water is refreshing, with streams and waterfalls encountered along the trails, and sulfuric springs beckon to relax weary mountaineers and other visitors. Its dubbing as "Vulcan de Agua" lives up to expectations: Isarog has 16 major rivers that provide potable water to 15 of the 35 towns of Camarines Sur and irrigate some 67,400 hectares of rice lands at its foot.

There is a cornucopia of species in Mt. Isarog, and most distinguished in the list are the endemic ones: the Mt. Isarog Shrew Mouse, Isarog Striped Shrew Rat, the Isarog Shrew Rat and the Isolated Forest Frog. In all, there are 143 species of birds. Mammals found in the area include, among others, the Philippine deer, monkeys, bats, wildcat and wild pig. There is also a snake that is endemic to Mt. Isarog, but don't worry, it's blind! (Typhlops jagorii). These animal species find refuge in a forest that has more than 1300 species of plants including hardwood trees, mosses, ferns and orchids. Rafflesia, the largest flower genus in the world, have also been sighted in this mountain. You would also encounter mushrooms and a number of colorful insects.

Three trails in Mt. Isarog lead to two different destinations. The commonly used trail, leading to the summit, is the Panicuason trail, which starts at DENR station in Brgy. Panicuason, Naga City. A second trail is the Patag-Patag trail (said to be a misnomer because the trail is far from 'patag' (flat) but steep and challenging, will be discussed on a separate itinerary. Finally, there's the trail from Goa, Camarines Sur, which takes four days.

The initial highlight of a climb in the Panicuason trail are the waterfalls: Malabsay Falls, with its large catchbasin and Nabuntalan Falls which will be visited before reaching Camp 1, around 2 hours away from the jump-off. A series of campsites ensue until the summit, for a total of 8-10 hours trekking time from jump-off. However, usually the trek is interrupted before sundown in what is simply known as 'Campsite', from which the assault to the summit is done the next day. Throughout the trails, you will be surrounded by the mossy forest of Isarog. The trails are described as moderate in difficulty, with ample cover from the trees, an abundance of water sources, and reasonable slopes. Campsites are available as rest stations.

From the Campsite, it takes 90-100 minutes to reach the summit. It is usually started very early morning. At this point, beyond 1500 MASL, the trees become stunted and covered with mosses and liverworts, characteristic of the mossy forest. At the summit viewdeck, a distant Mt. Mayon with its perfect cone shape rises south, and the verdant crater of Isarog can be seen- a vast expanse of land. You can see the waters bounding the Bicol peninsula, as well as the towns of Camarines Sur. It is a rewarding array of sights after a thoroughly challenging trek.

After descent, to make the trip to Bicol worthwhile, favorite sidetrips include a stay at the Camsur Wakeboarding Complex, and the nearby Mt. Asog (Iriga). You may also stay at Consocep Mountain Resort but this is more accessible through the Patag-Patag itinerary since it's in Tigaon. Take time also to visit Lake Buhi, another famous feature of the province.

Source: pinoymountaineer.com

MT. ARAYAT IN PAMPANGA

 
Mount Arayat is an extinct stratovolcano on Luzon Island, Philippines, rising to a height of 1,026 metres (3,366 ft) There is no recorded eruption of the volcano, and its last activity probably dates to the Holocene era.

The volcano is located in a flat agricultural region. The Volcano is a popular tourist destination for people visiting the central plains.

Two trails lead to the peaks of Mount Arayat. Mount Arayat National Park Located at San Juan Baño in Arayat, Pampanga has a trail to the southern Peak, taking around 3–4 hours to reach the peak. The Southern Peak offers views of Central Luzon, including a view of Pampanga River.

The collapsed western Slope that forms the other half of its Caldera like crater can also be seen. It offers a view of the mountains of Zambales and Bataan (to the west), and the mountains of the Sierra Madre range (to the east). The northern or higher Peak can be accessed on a route from Pampanga Agricultural College in Magalang, Pampanga, taking a similar time to reach the peak, however, this route takes you through the Arayat Ampitheatre and the so-called White Rock .


^{Source: wikipedia.org}