First Solo Hike of 2024: Trading Leftovers for Landscapes

Happy New Year, hivers!

I was supposed to write a continuation of our Siargao experience that was long overdue, but adulting got in the way, or in my case, a lack of focus and priorities. Always getting distracted by other things, hence this long gap in my posting. I always tell myself to write after work, but Buffy always gets in the way. LOL, I have been binge-watching it since December on Disney+, and I could not stop.

Going back to the topic, after getting back from the province for the New Year celebration with my family, I decided to embark on a solo hike to Kan-irag Campsite in Sirao via Budlaan Falls. I was hesitant to do it again because of what happened last November 2023, but I was really determined to burn off the holiday fats that I gained.

I started walking from my place to Sunny Hills where motorcycles were waiting bound for Sitio Baugo. I really wanted to walk from there to Sitio Baugo, but I started around 8 AM already, and I needed to finish it by lunchtime, so I decided to take the motorcycle taxi for Php70.

I arrived in Sitio Baugo around 8:45 AM and had to fill up my flask with water at the store at the jump-off and immediately started hiking. Some parts of the road/trail were muddy from the vehicles passing by; they had already started cementing the road leading to some communities near the river.

Twenty-five minutes later, I arrived at the main waterfall. I initially thought of taking the shortcut, but I remembered that the NGCP people are still constructing the tower on the trail leading to the last falls, so I had no choice but to head down to the main waterfall.

I was glad that it was just me at the falls that time, except for the dog that accompanied me from the start. But I was also worried that there was nobody to help in case things went south. Haha

I stayed there until I got a better picture of myself. I had to lean my phone on the wall and set a timer to take the pictures. Haha

I decided to continue when I saw dark clouds looming above; I didn't want to trend on social media for getting stuck at the falls when heavy rain falls. LOL

Climbing up the tricky part of the trail, I decided to take my time. Although the noise from the people from the tower nearby gave me a sense of relief that whatever happens, I could shout and ask for help.

And I arrived at the part where the incident happened. But I was happy that they already installed a rope there because it got very slippery with nothing to hold on to. There were some NGCP people going down, so I waited for them to finish. And finally, I climbed up safe and sound.

The next part of the trail is just going to be breezy.

I arrived at the basketball court around 10:30 AM; it was quiet with a few kids playing on their phones. I stayed there for 30 minutes just laying on the bamboo benches.

After a refreshing soft drink, I decided to hit the trail. I was undecided on which trail to take but ended up going to Kan-irag Campsite. I think it's been a year or two since the last time we camped there with my friends. But when I arrived at the junction that supposedly goes directly to the entrance near the Lumboy (Duhat) tree, but couldn't find that trail anymore, so I decided to follow the clear and established trail that led me to the entrance at the back of the campsite.

I went straight to the store to pay the entrance fee of Php30 and logged my name on the logbook. It was already lunchtime, and I was starving, but there was no bread available, so I decided to order cup noodles.

The caretaker told me I could stay in one of the empty huts, which was nice of them. I took my noodles and stayed at one of the huts, just enjoying the fresh air and the view of the city.

Wish I had a hammock with me so I could just stay there and sleep. LOL

It was 12:30 PM when I decided to continue walking.

While exiting the campsite, I was thinking about which way is the best and the fastest way to get home.

I was torn between the trail that will circle me back to Sitio Baugo, but we got lost on that trail the last time we went there with @iamcjestrada and some joiners, and I can't risk getting lost without company. LOL So I only had one option left, which is the trail going to Busay Holiday Pools.

From the abandoned golf course in Malubog, I went straight to Busay Holiday Pools. It was almost 1 PM, and I still had to sleep because I had work that night. Haha

After the long and steep hike on the cemented road that leads to Busay Holiday Pools, I arrived there after 30 minutes. I waited there at the waiting shed for a jeepney to arrive, but it did not happen. I ended up hailing a motorcycle taxi going to JY Square for Php150.

But my journey doesn't end there. Haha I was already starving, and I was craving for some Pork Sisig. Good thing Silogan ni Gian is just a few meters away. I ordered my all-time favorite Sisigsilog and an extra pork chop. Yum!

I guess that's it for now. I am hoping that in 2024, I still get to do the things that I love, like hiking, camping, and beaching with the people that matter. Cheers to the new year!