Kang-iroy falls: Valencia,Negros Oriental

It was a grateful weekend collaborating with an all-star team who are equally passionate on discovering new places. Surrounded by friendly and thrill seeking community, going to the unknown to experience new is something I’d love to do.

Kinaiyahan Outdoor Society or Negros Tarzans are group of individuals routinely engage in outdoor activities whether it’s climbing summits to river trekking, stand by a waterfall or jump to river pools. They are adventurers who loves the trill of risky trails, at the same time exploring the jungles hidden gem.

This week is a new experience and new acquaintance as we team up with their group. Our destination is undetermined, we just have to trail around with them wherever it leads us to an interesting spot. Surely, we will end up on a waterfall.

Our unknown destination simply means somewhere taking a different route. Somewhere all of us haven’t been to. But for some reason some of the most memorable and exciting experiences can happen in places that you otherwise wouldn’t know as wandering often entails with exploring places and exposing yourself to different circumstances.

From left to right: Wendell Tubat,Thata Pajunar,Juns Quitoy ,Rudix Austero,Jomar Sarita,Me,Troy Teramoto,Dodoi Jose,Marvie Waro,AF Aragones

While waiting for others, we started out buying local products at farmers market in Valencia town Plaza. With a bunch of options for consumption, the bustling space is occupied with buyers and stand of any kind of fruits, vegetables, cooked and baked products, local delicacies, dry goods, clothings, ukay-ukay, toys, ornamentals and many more. Making sure we don’t starve in the woodland, we bought light foods vital for energy source.

Our hike begins at the Casaroro entry point following the Apolong trail straight up to the twin waterfalls. While everyone was familiar with the route, we are able to reach our initial destinations on a fair pace. Coping up with seasoned guides, the climb were somewhat very fun and a barrel of laugh all throughout. Jun, our lead guide and the rest of his group positively turned our tedious experience to a humorous one.

With the dramatic changes of weather conditions in the mountains, and mostly unpredictable, we ascended on a fair sky condition. About a kilometer from the jump off, it went gloomy, then fog ascends, until it rained. With low temperatures in the mountains, precipitation would likely happen.

Tip: for amateur climbers, always be prepared for any weather characteristics, bring extra light clothes, seal electronic gadgets in a water proof compartment.

We continued the climb inspite of the heavy downpour, nothing cease the climb inspite of our soaking clothes and a drenched shoes. Somehow we arrive the guardhouse on our desired timetable. Took some rest and consumed our food.

For the fifth time, it is always a pleasure seeing an old friend just a few minutes from the guardhouse. Never miss the chance to watch again the twin waterfalls. But that day was different, seeing her in full glory was rare and extraordinary.

Its enormous drop of the waterfalls reminds us of a flight of a flapping birds. In fact, it was originally named Naglupad falls. Naglupad in local dialect means “to take flight” or “to fly” , like that of a bird in particular. Its twin falls on the other hand were originally named Kang-Iroy, history tells that the first person who found this waterfalls was Iroy, thus named Kang-Iroy falls. This is where we are heading, we will climb up to Kang-Iroy to see if there are other attractions up there.

Then we took a remote trail en route to Kang-iroy river system, climbing up to an unestablished way behind plenty of trees and bushes. There were struggles as we deal with a very slippery ground. It sort of feels like an exotic jungle of nowhere, where reeds, bamboo, tall trees, woody plants and shrubs all around will take us down to a rocky shelf and finally on the rivers shoreline.

The stream was quite shallow so were able to walk across it. We waded through its waters of about 10 minutes or so when we reach an elevated rocky part of which the waters were distributed on both sides. Unsatisfied of what we saw, we continued exploring above. Had to climb a narrow hole at the other end under huge boulders and a flowing water. Laughing and talking never stops in their good company amidst climbing trouble and awkwardness.

River trek continues at about five minutes when we had a glimpse another waterfall. We gathered around the base, and some settles a sign of relief seeing one of the falls in Kang-Iroy. The water drops on a not so high rock shelter and plunges to a shallow pool. Pleased this time, Jun assesses of a possible way through up, eventually the group decided to just come back next time around and explore more upstream, then we ended a group photo.

Group photo by Thata Pajunar

Certainly, it was a fun-filled day with loads of laugh and new escapade. We look forward of teaming up again with them for future wanders, after all, Life was made for good friends and great adventure. Cheers to upcoming days filled with sunny skies, climbing mountains and unlimited adventures.

Keep updated with Negros Tarzans weekend destination at:

https://www.facebook.com/Negros-Tarzans-113571296667410/

 

 

 

Matin-aw falls-Malaunay,Valencia,Negros Oriental

It was just a simple day trip that weekend but it turns into a full-day affair when I randomly came across a hidden waterfalls en route to the hinterlands of Malaunay Valencia Negros Oriental.

I was supposed to attend a whole day general assembly event as I was one of the chosen members to represent an annual meeting. Aiming to avoid a busy street, the long lines and the crowd just like last year, I woke up early and proceeded to the event. The registration of the assembly starts at 6 am and I was already in the area, it was well organized and smooth.

The event always starts with a mass then the main program follows. I was seated on a higher deck of the arena to get a clearer view and comfort. A few minutes of just sitting and looking for familiar faces, I feel like I was bored. In an instant, I found myself driving away from the court to somewhere. I was thinking to probably go home and do my household chores. On my way home, my sight was directed to the mountains of Valencia town. Seeing a clear weather, I decided to detour heading to Palinpinon.

The cool environment pushed me to continue driving the next barangays of Caidiocan and Malaunay. This is one of my unplanned trips, never made an arrangement, just go with the flow, and follow where my feet would bring. But what I usually do when going to unfamiliar place is searching for pictures online, saved those photos and ask the local community.

The foremost thing I wanted to check in Malaunay is an astounding waterfalls not much visited. No idea of where it is I stopped to nearest gymnasium of Malaunay, asked the locals but none of them knows. How could they don’t know? They should know better than me. Though it wasn’t the first time that locals doesn’t know what I’m referring to, many times it happens. The quest continues as I moved up, I ended up with a warning on one of the people not to go there, it could mean a great danger. In spite what he had said, my enthusiasm prevails and that it continues me to move forward.

At the end of a paved road, before entering Sitio Balantian I saw some parked vehicles, there were also houses along the road so I asked one of them and showed the waterfalls. Being at the right place for jump off area, a woman directed me to a descending route with a few houses along the way. Some meters away, the trail becomes confusing, the signs of the path loses further down the bushes. Analyzing the area, I shall allow my intuition to guide me this time following a sound of a river flow on its foothills. When wandering to new places, it is always recommended to look for a local guide, it will save you more time rather than finding your own way.

Halfway on my descent was a clearer sight of Okoy river. Upon reaching the river channel, the easiest way is to follow its flow up to its source. Careful moves should always be observed in this kind of environment, safety should always be on top priority when wandering to unfamiliar destinations. With its huge and sharp rocks, and strong current, one mistake will put ones life in jeopardy.

Along the river are numerous natural pools, further up on a winding way sits a certain scenario of Matin-aw falls, it has two levels of powerful water currents dropping to a firm rock partitions. The first level is uniquely divided into half down to an extensive basin. To the right is another river tributary, though less in volume, still a picturesque setting of nature adjoining to the waters of Okoy river.

The upper portion of Matin-aw also displays an immense volume of water, but reaching the top demands a rock climbing ability. Concealed by the surrounding cliffs the waters were extremely cold. Fortunate enough, the sheer cliffs were home of wild monkeys leaping from branches to other branches. This is one of the many pristine destinations in Valencia, just a nearby town from Dumaguete City. As always, we have to be reminded of the number one policy when visiting any place, “Leave No trace”.

There are many things I’ve realize or learn when alone in nature, I enjoy solitude, I’ll never truly feel lonely, disconnect to the busy routine finding that inner peace. Lonely? nahhhhhh im just hanging out with my soul. This is the kind of rest day I always wanted. What about you, have you tried going places with no fixed plans? or have you followed your heart in case of doubt?

Wander and look for that spot where you could find peace amidst the face of discord and stress.