A Hike to Mt. Napulak

Mt. Napulak is a never tiring destination for Mountaineers. Rising 1, 239+ meters above sea level, it becomes the home of several fauna, animals, and the source of several water streams. The stunning view of Mt. Napulak made itself as the best site for beginners and non professional Mountaineers as the best destination to relax, unwind and retreat. At first, it will test your endurance and stamina for its three to four hours trekking and hiking challenge.

From Iloilo City (Mohon Terminal), I and my friend Joeven departed at 5:45 in the morning while Jelyn decided just to meet us at Igbaras Police Station for registration. From Igbaras Police Station we took a ride with a Habal-Habal to Barangay Tigbanaba.

We met our Tour Guide at the jump off (unfortunately I forgot his name). After five to ten minutes of hiking it seems my muscles isn’t prepared. I started to perspire and my legs started to cease. Our tour guide told us that there was already a lot of climber who has the same experience with us, but still they successfully reached the peak of Mt. Napulak.

Manong (Big Brother) Tour Guide  keeps motivating us not to stop our hike. “Sir, Hinde sagi pahuway kag pungko kay kapoyon ka lang na dayon” because every while and then we take a rest. After an hour of climbing, Jelyn sweetly surrendered to hike while I and Joeven continue.

Finally, I reached the peak of Mt. Napulak. It is all worth the effort, the pain, and the sacrifices. The overview of some part of Antique, Southern part of Iloilo and the ranges of mountains amazed me. But it is not over, We still need to hike the big rock at the top of Mt. Napulak. Some of my friends who first hike Mt. Napulak wasn’t able to climb it. It is a little bit harder and challengingto climb it since there is no stairs going up. You just have to climb at the provided piece of woods.

I realized that hiking sometimes needs a matter of self motivation. For a first timer like us, we went to the point that we have to surrender. But thanks to the breeze of the wind and to the sounds of rippling water streams and it keeps motivating us not to give up. Those sounds motivated us not to stop our journey to the peak of Mt. Napulak.

Mt. Napulak is located at Igbaras, Iloilo, Philippines.