Guiban Falls and Balabag Peak- The Mystical Beauty of Conception

The 18th Malindang Ascent offers the mystical beauty of Mount Balabag and Guiban Falls, situated in the municipality of Conception, Misamis Occidental.

During this event I have all the time and opportunity to exploit the flora and fauna of Mount Balabag and Guiban Falls. Unfortunately, I missed to capture the wild orchids - my camera batteries gone empties.

One of the best features in the area was the hospitality of the Subanen people, one of the most friendly indigenous people I've personally met.

The beautiful Guiban Falls of Conception, Misamis Occidental

My two climbing buddies (L-R Alexis Kho & Neil Ramiro)

Close-up view of Mount Balabag

The shy spider

Little spidy

Orange mosses

Mount Balabag's neighbouring peaks

Butterfly of Mt. Balabag

Guiban Falls

Guiban Falls is a waterfall located in the heart of Brgy. Guiban, Conception, Misamis Occidental. It is estimated to be 25 meters high. The waterfalls is feed by the abundant green lush of Mount Balabag.

Horse tail look a like flora

Mosses and stones

Crystal clear water

Mineral water

Unknown species of beatle approaching on my camera

Black Hawk

The deep ravine

The fauna - the little dragons of Guiban Falls

Little sunflowers

Mount Balabag, Mount Malindang Range

The lonely tree

Purple flora

Easy trail down to Guiban Falls

The road to Brgy. Guiban

Mr. Dennis Leopoldo - pioneering advocates of natural resources of Mindanao

One of the streams that surrounds Guiban Falls

Foothills of Mount Balabag

Enjoying the cool and fresh water

The mystical Guiban Falls

Sunset at Brgy. Guiban, Conception, Misamis Occidental

You can see more pictures here. I would like to thanks Malindang Trekkers for the very successful hosting of the 18th Malindang Ascent.

Announcing: 18th Malindang Ascent 2013

Balabag Peak and Guiban Falls, Mount Malindang Ranges, Conception, Misamis Occidental

Event Itinerary

ROUTE (A) 

Fun Climb and Falls Hopping

Day 1 (Friday) October 18, 2013 

7:00 AM - 12:00 NN Continuation of Registration

1:00 PM     ETA to Municipality of Conception 

3:00 PM     Conception Multi-purpose Hall (CAMP SITE)

5:30 PM     Tree Planting Activity

6:00 PM     Dinner Time

8:00 PM     President’s Meeting /Orientation (Briefing for 2nd Day Activity)

11:00 PM   Lights Off

Day 2 (Saturday) October 19, 2013

5:00 AM     Wake up call & prepare for breakfast

7:00 AM     Breakfast

8:00 AM     Break camp

8:30 AM     ETA to Brgy. Guiban

10:00 AM   ETD to Guiban Falls 

11:30 AM   Guiban Falls (Lunch on Trail) 

3:00 PM     ETD back to CAMPSITE

7:00 PM     Hosted Dinner

8:00 PM     Program /Socials/giving of Event Souvenir’s and Certificate

Day 3 (Sunday) October 20, 2013

6:00 AM     Wake up call & prepare for breakfast

7:30 AM     Breakfast

8:00 AM     Break camp

8:30 AM     ETD back to Oroquieta City 

ROUTE (B) 

Trail to Balabag Peak

(should wear leggings, gloves, warmer)

Day 1 (Friday) October 18, 2013 

7:00 AM - 12:00 NN Continuation of Registration

1:00 PM     ETA to Municipality of Conception 

3:00 PM     Conception Multi-purpose Hall (CAMP SITE)

5:30 PM     Tree Planting Activity

6:00 PM     Dinner Time

8:00 PM     President’s Meeting /Orientation (Briefing for 2nd Day Activity)

11:00 PM   Lights Off

Day 2 (Saturday) October 19, 2013

4:30 AM     Wake up call & prepare for breakfast

5:30 AM     Breakfast

6:00 AM     Break camp

6:30 AM     ETA to Brgy. Virayan (open trail)

8:00 AM     River Trekking/ Water Source

10:30 AM   Ascent to Balabag Peak (Lunch on Trail)

12:00 NN   Balabag Peak

1:00 PM     River Trekking/ETD-hard trail Traverse to Small Potongan

4:00 PM     ETD Brgy. Small Potongan Back to Campsite 

7:00 PM     Hosted Dinner

8:00 PM     Program /Socials/giving of Event Souvenir’s and Certificate

Day 3 (Sunday) October 20, 2013

6:00 AM     Wake up call & prepare for breakfast

7:30 AM     Breakfast

8:00 AM     Break camp

8:30 AM     ETD back to Oroquieta City 

Guiban Falls

Balabag Peak, Mount Malindang Range

For more details, contact: Malindang Trekkers FB page

Mt. Malindang 14th Freedom Climb Images

Mt. Malindang Freedom Climb is a yearly activity held in different parts of Mount Malindang Range Natural Park. The trek started at Brgy. Guinggona, Ozamiz City. We departed Ozamiz City proper at around 10:00 AM and arrived at the jump-off of Brgy. Guinggona around 11:00 AM. We had our lunch at the jump-off. We started our ascent at 11:30 AM.

The route

The red line shows the ascent trail to the campsite. The trail is an easy open field consisting of vegetable plantation and cogon grassland.

Enjoying the breath-taking view

Start of ascent

A very rewarding view at the trail.

We can also see the entire Lanao del Norte on the background. Flanking the Panguil Bay is Mt. Torong Torong. We are also able to see Mt. Inayawan at far south east.

ICI Mountaineers - KAYA

Mt. Piapayungan Range on the background as seen in Mt. Malindang

Luckily, I am able to capture Mt. Ragang on Piapayungan Mountain Range, the seventh highest peak of the Philippines. It is also dubbed as the seventh summit of the Philippines.

A very hot and open trail

Panguil Bay as seen from Mt. Malindang

Trees at the campsite

Campsite's foggy background

Preparing for dinner

Cold wind blows began at 3:00 PM

We arrived at the campsite at around 2:30 PM after a tiring 3 hours ascent. We take a short nap and started to cook for dinner at around 4:00 PM.

Climb buddies

Early dinner at around 5:30 PM

The whole route