Misconceptions about Taal Volcano Revealed

Trail Adventours
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Lapu Lapu
Parañaque, Metro Manila

Taal Volcano is the smallest yet the most active volcano in the Philippines. It is popular not only in the country but also around the globe. However, there are three major misconceptions about Taal Volcano. These are:

Misconception: Taal Volcano is located in Tagaytay City.

When you ask people where Taal Volcano is, 6 out 10 people will answer that you can find it in Tagaytay City. Yes, you can see the beautiful Taal Volcano in Tagaytay but it is located at Talisay and San Nicolas in the province of Batangas. It is 79km or 2-hour drive away from Manila. If you want to make it to Taal Volcano faster, you can take the Tagaytay route. It will take you probably just an hour and 15-minute drive without traffic.

Misconception: Taal Volcano is what I see in the picture.

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The most popular misconception about Taal volcano is the volcano itself. 9 out of 10 will point out that the picture above is Taal Volcano. If you thought the same, you are wrong. This is Binintian Volcano, the old volcano where Taal Volcano sprouted out. It is the parent volcano of Taal.

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Aerial shot

The big island beside Binintian Volcano (as you can see in the photo) is the real Taal Volcano. You cannot see the actual crater from Tagaytay City. You can have it face to face once you conquer the trail going to the heart of the volcano.

Misconception: You cannot swim in Taal Volcano lake.

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Of course, you can! It is allowed to swim in Taal Lake. However, staying too long under the water is not advisable. The water of the lake is a diluted form of sulfuric acid with high concentration of boron, magnesium, aluminum and sodium in salt form. You can swim on the calm side of the Crater Lake. Stay away from the arid place that exhibits hot and venting sulfuric fumes.

Taal Volcano is rated 1/10 when it comes to difficulty. It is recommended for beginners and even experienced mountaineers. This volcano is small but it has an unwinding ambiance.

Do you want to see the beauty of Taal Volcano up close? Trail Adventours can definitely help you out. Check our website now to book a hike.

Hiking: Best Food to Bring

For nature trips, mountain hiking is mostly preferred by first-timers. Fewer preparations, less equipment needed and usually lasts only for a few hours or a day. This is best for people who can only allot one or two days’ worth of time off from work or other activities they are busy with. Hiking is absolutely not hard but there are still things you need to consider. Hiking is a physical activity and you have to bring the proper type of food to give you ample energy for the trip. Always remember the essentials – food with carbohydrates and proteins such as dairy and fresh produce.

For breakfast and lunch –  Since most hiking trips don’t last a full day, you can have breakfast on the first stop. Cereals or oatmeal are good for starters, especially when mixed with powdered milk. Milk is a good source of calcium and Vitamin D, so this will help a lot. You can also bring crackers, peanuts or other food that you can eat along the way. Canned goods are also good enough such as pork & beans, tuna and the like. Don’t just bring too many of them as they are heavy in larger quantities, at least 3 small canned goods per companion.

Fruits – Bring bananas, apples or dried fruits such as mangoes. Compared to chips, fruits don’t only provide more energy for your body to store – it gives you an “absolute feeling” of being filled. Eating chips or other junk food will make you hungry again in no time.

Dairy and others – Protein-rich food like cheese gives you that extra energy boost. This is the same with energy bars or chocolate snacks. This keeps you up and running for that long hike. Bring sufficient amount of water, minimum should be 2-3 liters at one trip or a gallon at the most. Your group may encounter rivers, streams and lakes but still your guide will consider them as contaminated – do not take the risk. Bring a portable stove, a medium sized pan and a spatula for meals that you will be cooking. Prevent leaving trash along the trail – bring specifically designed bags for garbage, snap lock bags for perishable food and tissues just in case “nature calls.”

Philippines Hiking is a good escape from the busy city life; it brings you a step closer to nature. However, for the experience to be enjoyable, stack up on the proper food. An ample source of energy will never make you feel tired and will not spoil your escape with nature.

What’s in a Backpacker’s Bag?

Mountain climbing may be one of the most interesting sports that we have today. We all have seen pictures of climbers with their big bags on their way to the top of a mountain. You might have seen their enormous bag and wondered what kind of things are inside it. Most of the time, the content of a mountain climber’s bag may vary depending on where they are going and for how long they plan to stay there. Of course, if the plan is to stay just one night – and if the peak is possible to reach for a short period of time only – then it is practical to bring less for the journey.

If you are planning of climbing a mountain, say overnight, then here is a peek on what you should carry inside your very own backpack:

Sleeping bag/blanket and Tent – It is very important that you don’t forget to bring one, as it is where you will lay your tired body during the night.

Water – This is the number one thing that you should prepare. It’s true that you might come across a river or a body of water, but you always have to be sure to have a clean and safe drinking water. Here is a formula that you can follow: Number of days X 2 liters.

Food – Of course, if you have water, you have to have food to last the day. It is advisable to bring cooked food for convenience, or any pre-cooked ones like that of canned goods.

Utensils/Swiss Knife/Can Opener/Flashlight/Etc. – It is essential that you bring utensils for eating, as well as other indispensable items like a can opener and a Swiss knife.  These small things are usually forgotten, but they prove to be very helpful and they can be used to perform various functions during the hike.

First Aid Kit – Every climber has a first aid kit in his or her bag. A first aid kit is complete with medicine, antiseptics and other similar items. It is a kit that is used to cure small wounds and cuts, and sometimes it also serves as a first aid remedy to more serious injuries that a climber gets from the hike.

Clothes and Toiletries – No matter how adventurous you are, you still need a change of clothes and toiletries to clean yourself up at the end of the day. Extra clean clothes and soap are a must, especially if you want to look clean and fresh at the end of the hike.

These are just some of what a mountain climber would call ‘essentials’. The items and the quantity that you need to bring would still vary depending on the hike that you are planning.

The Importance of Wearing Suitable Garments for Mountain Climbing

We have discussed before that mountain climbing is not an easy sport. In fact, many people consider it dangerous, but because of the great experience that can be had from this activity, a lot of people still give it a go.

Aside from collecting safety tips, it is very important that you pay attention to every detail before you climb a mountain. You have to consider the tools that you will bring, especially if you plan to spend the night there and of course, the clothes that you will wear. The garments or clothes that you wear for a climb are very relevant because of the following reasons:

You have to feel comfortable. Remember that you will be engaging in hours and hours of endless walking, until you reach your destination. Most often than not, you will encounter a lot of difficulties along the way. It is important that you wear clothes that are comfortable, in order to make your climb a little less stressful and difficult. Choose clothes that allow you to move freely and with less restriction in body movements.

Consider the weather or the season. You have to keep in mind that the weather or the season determines the type of clothing that you need to wear. Always remember though that you only have to bring what you need for the duration of your journey and that bringing excess garment is not practical, as it may cause you to have a heavier load. If it’s cold, think of the basics like a good warm jacket for your body, gloves for your hands, and a scarf that you can use for multiple things.

Wear the proper footwear. Aside from clothes, perhaps one of the most important factors in climbing is the shoes or the footwear. It is crucial to have an appropriate pair, not only for comfort, but for a safe climbing experience as well. Take note that you will walk on rough roads, both dry and wet – depending on the weather and location – so you better be ready to walk on slippery surfaces and even on rocky ones.

Mountain climbing is not just about preparing your mind or what’s going into your bag. Another important thing that you need to prepare is the garments that you will use for climbing. All these things are essential to make sure that your mountain climbing experience is safe and of course, fun.

Why is the Philippines Ideal for Mountain Climbing?

One of the many activities that anyone can enjoy, especially in the Philippines, is mountain climbing. A lot of people find it very interesting and fun to explore various mountains, regardless of how simple or difficult it could be. There are many local mountains that are greatly popular with many climbers because of varied reasons. Nevertheless, both local and tourists alike find the country to be an ideal location for such activity because of the following reasons:

The Philippines is home to many different types of mountains. In the Philippines, there are a lot of mountains that you can explore wherever you go. From Luzon to Mindanao, you will definitely find a mountain that you’d be interested to climb. Some examples of these include Mt. Pulag in Luzon, Mt. Kanla-on in Visayas and Mt. Apo in Mindanao.

From easy to the most difficult ranges, there are plenty of mountains to choose from depending on your skills and experience.

It is relatively safe if you take all the necessary precautions. The most popular mountains in the Philippines have been explored over and over again by many hikers and climbers. Newer and much safer trails have been discovered or made and used through the years, making it easier for newbies to follow tracks better.  Because mountain hiking is popular in the country, a lot of safety reminders and precautions have been added to safeguard the well-being of every mountain climber.

In addition to this, mountain climbing is considered safe if you would follow all the safety precautions. For example, if you decide to climb a pretty difficult mountain, it is never safe to go alone. You must also make sure that you have all you need and that your mind and body are prepared.

There are a lot of active mountain climbing groups that you can join. With the activity gaining more popularity these days, there are numerous groups out there that aim to help anyone interested in having a wonderful experience by climbing in groups. Most often than not, the organizers of these groups are experienced climbers who can definitely assist in your climbing.

Mountain climbing is one of the best sports or activities that you can try in the Philippines. With the abundance of mountains that you can explore, all you have to do is call your friends, pack your things and just go.

Mountain Climbing Has Tied the Knot with Safety

Mountain climbing is a sport that doesn’t only train your body to be physically fit – it also equips your brain to be mentally robust. In a hazardous environment like mountains, knowing how to tie a knot is very important. Ample knowledge about it coupled with the correct equipment will surely make you safer than knowing nothing at all. Any individual who would like to go hiking should have a basic knowledge of knots and knots system to ensure his or her safety and increase the ability to undertake the adventures that comes along with mountain climbing.

See also: Why do people hike even if it’s dangerous?

It is very tempting to learn as many knots as possible, given the number of knots that can be learned and used in our everyday lives. However, it is very important to take not that it is better to learn and master just a handful of knots which are essential to help us survive in specific situation. 

DECIDE WHICH KNOT TO USE

Tying is a knot should not be done just for the sake of tying or joining ropes together. A good knot should be:

1. Strong – This is probably the first quality that comes to mind when deciding which not to use in certain situations. However, this is not the sole criteria for selecting a knot.
2. Secured – A strong knot doesn’t necessarily mean that a knot is secured. Defining the security of a knot is a critical task. You can be sure that a knot is secured if it has the ability to stay tied even in the toughest situations.
3. Easy to tie, hard to forget – A good knot has an ease for visual inspection. This means that your knot should be quickly recognized by your team if it is tied correctly or not. Furthermore, why should we choose a complicated knot over a simple knot if their purposes are also the same?

IMPORTANT KNOTS THAT MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS SHOULD KNOW

Here, we have listed 5 of the many important knots that mountain climbers should know:

1. Water Knot (Stopper Knot)

·         Used for tying flat webbing to itself or to another piece of webbing.

·         Also used for joining ropes together.

·         A secured knot.

Watch this tutorial on how to tie a Water Knot:

2. Figure Eight Knot (Single Loop Knot)

·         Used as a climber’s harness to the end of a rope.

·         Used for stopping ropes from running out of retaining devices.

·         Generally stronger than a basic Bowline Knot.

Watch this tutorial on how to tie a Figure Eight Knot:

3. Bowline Knot (Single Loop Knot)

·         Also called as the “King of Knots”

·         Used for securing the end of a line around something.

·         Used for making a secured loop at the end of a rope.

Watch this tutorial on how to tie a Bowline Knot:

4. Prusik Knot (Hitches)

·         A life-saver knot in the mountains.

·         Used to get a better grip on another rope.

·         Enables you to ascend a rope or haul up a load.

Watch this tutorial on how to tie a Prusik Knot:

5. Clove Hitch (Hitches)

·         Great to use when it’s under a constant tension.

·         Doesn’t take a lot of rope and can be easily adjusted.

·         Used for connecting rope to anchors.

Watch this tutorial on how to tie Clove Hitch:

For you to be able to survive mountain climbing, it is essential to know these knots. However, tying knots under pressure is a different story. Read this article about a climber who wasn’t able to secure his knots and suffered an unfortunate event.

You don’t expect yourself to be an expert in this skill in just a snap of a finger. Learning to tie a knot will take time – it will surely be difficult in the beginning. All you have to do is practice. Over time, you would know which knots to use for specific situations.

What Are the Benefits of Mountain Climbing?

Mountain climbing may be regarded by other people as a dangerous sport or hobby, but there are still many who consider it as a very beneficial activity. If you are wondering what benefits could be had from this adventure, then here are some examples:

Meet New Friends – climbing mountains are usually done in groups. It is rare to find a climber who climbs all by himself. Aside from socialization, climbing a mountain with those who share your passion, allows you to be more at ease with other people you barely know. During the climb, it is unavoidable to trust one another, as you all have the same goal and that is to reach the summit safely by helping every member of the group.

A Form of Meditation – mountain climbing is said to be a form of meditation. It forces you to have presence of mind during the climb, to ensure safety and it also allows you to experience every moment of it – from the littlest things to the most remarkable moments of the journey. The feeling of success when you reach the summit is only a part of it all – the overall result is both uplifting and rewarding.

Learning to Take Risks – you will encounter a lot of obstacles in the mountains – from the difficult trails to dangerous animals – before you can reach the top. Mountain climbing gives you the opportunity to face your fears and to take more risks. It teaches you to be brave and be more confident in every decision that you make.

Appreciate the Beauty of Nature – aside from the personal benefits that you can get from mountain climbing, it also makes you more aware of the beauty of nature around you. You don’t just see it, but you feel it against your skin. The more immersed you are with nature, the more you understand and appreciate its very existence.

Mountain climbing gives us a chance to have a priceless experience. It has a lot of benefits, not only to our health, but also to our state of mind. Have you ever thought why some people put too much effort in climbing the most dangerous mountains in the world? It is because they know that it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is an experience that cannot be taken away from them. It is a challenging activity that has the ability to make them feel complete and fulfilled.