By Nathaniel Estopace
SORSOGON—Five thousand one hundred feet is just what separates climbers to a mythical winged creature locals say is nestled somewhere at the apex of a volcano here.
Locating this bird is the object of the three-lake-climb that commences from Bulusan Lake, one of the premiere eco-tourism spots in the province.
Three hours of walking and climbing takes on to reach Aguingay, a lake on the mountain 6 kilometers from the base and about halfway to the peak.
Climbers usually pass the night at Aguingay. They gaze at stars via a portable telescope. They fill the darkness with voices following strums of a Spanish guitar. Embers of a dying bonfire keep the night longer.
The climb resumes before dawn.
From Aguingay, it takes about two-and-a-half hours to reach the peak, Philip Bartilet, senior officer of a local group of guides, said.
Descent from the peak to the base takes less time than the ascent, Bartilet explained.
Young mountaineers from the country and across the globe climb Mount Bulusan, boosting local tourism, confirmed Debbie E. Eneria, Bulusan tourism officer.
Grace F. Fumera, a mountaineer and a secondary school teacher, sees a growing number of young people love to climb because they have “a strong power that always drives them to be at the top of the mountain.”
She first scaled Mount Bulusan when she was the age of millennial climber seen beginning a trek. Fumera climbs again and again for the sheer pleasure of reaching something higher by foot.
Nationalities that have climbed the mountain include Dutch, French, Malaysian, Indian, Swedish, Russians, Japanese, Australian and Swiss, Bartilet said.
In 2012 local actor Rica Peralejo and sister Paula reportedly spotted the Black Bird, what is called of the crater of Mount Bulusan.
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Nathaniel Estopace teaches physical education at Gubat National High School and is a cousin of Millennials page editor Dennis D. Estopace. Like his story online via the BusinessMirror Millennials Universe (BMMU) Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Millennial-Universe/435594193285671. Follow BMMU on Twitter via @millennial_U or Instagram (type Millennial Universe). E-mail comments or story to millennialuniverse@yahoo.com and the editor at dennis.estopace@gmail.com.