I didn’t like my first Mt. Talinis major climb. No clearing. No proper camping gear. No meal planning. No proper orientation on what to do and how things should be done.
Years ago, I could have dwelled on the misery of being left behind by the pack, getting drenched in a heavy downpour, encountering a snake on the trail, struggling to see with a malfunctioning headlamp, tending to two injured co-hikers, and dealing with the frustration of our guide abandoning us after a four-hour delay.
But instead, I chose to see it as a learning experience—one that shaped my resilience and became the foundation for tackling longer, more challenging climbs in the years that followed.
Mt. Talinis the Second Time Around
Then an opportunity arose—I was invited on a two-day hike to Mt. Talinis via the Apolong-Bediao trail. It would have been easier to decline, but curiosity got the best of me. Would I see Mt. Talinis differently this time? Would it still be as challenging? Would love, indeed, be sweeter the second time around?
Going to Mt. Talinis
Friday evening, I found myself among eager first-time major hikers—Sir Tony, Mme. G, Sir Dom, Sir Javy, and his wife, Mimi. Excitement and nervous energy filled the air, bringing back memories of my early hiking days. We arrived in Dumaguete at 4 AM and grabbed breakfast at a nearby fast-food chain before heading to our meeting point.
At the city’s historic bell tower, we met the rest of our group, including the organizer, Sir Eden, whom I coincidentally crossed paths with on Mt. Kanlaon a year before its closure. A quick round of introductions led to an impromptu photography session—learning the art of panoramic shots (or at least attempting to, with plenty of laughter). Soon after, we made our way to the jump-off point, ready to take on Mt. Talinis once more.
Hiking Mt. Talinis for the Second Time
Not much had changed on the trails—the dense vegetation, the steady water sources, the breathtaking Twin Falls, and the serene beauty of Lake Nailig. Truly, first love never dies. As I silently trailed behind the group, my mind played back the songs Jet had played during our first climb, the melodies accompanying our struggles with the ascent.
I recalled the kindness of Tatay from the Ranger Station, who fed us when we were stranded without our cookset. The Sulfuric River, which had once filled me with awe, still held its mystique. And, of course, I couldn’t help but laugh at the memory of that perfectly sculpted “lucky charm” on the way to Lake Nailig. This time, we were blessed with a skilled cook, but nothing quite compared to Jumz’s legendary maling and Badeth’s sikwate from my first visit.
Lessons from the trails of Mt. Talinis
That night, as I lay in my tent with the wind rattling the fly sheet, a few realizations settled in:
- The difficulty of a hike is relative—it depends on how prepared you are and how much experience you’ve gained. Back then, Talinis felt impossibly difficult. Now, with longer and tougher climbs behind me, I saw it in a different light.
- Happiness is real when shared (yes, a nod to Alex from Into the Wild). The reason I never dwelled on the struggles of my first major hike was that the joy and camaraderie far outweighed the hardships. No team-building event could replicate the bonds formed on the trail.
- Every hike is a new experience. No matter how familiar a mountain is, each climb brings new perspectives, new faces, and new lessons. This time, I was gifted with clear skies, an incredible group of companions, and the chance to correct a common misconception: what many call Mt. Talinis is actually Nacolon. The true Mt. Talinis is near Lake Yagumyum, accessible via the Bediao trail.
There are times in our lives when we have to face our own demons; we have to face our past; and we have to acknowledge the things that once hurt us. For it is through reconciliation that we are able to let go and breathe from the unnecessary nuisances they brought.
Perhaps love is sweeter the second time around because we’ve grown—we’re more accepting of reality, more understanding of the circumstances, and more willing to take risks. After all, our greatest regrets often stem from the chances we didn’t take.
This return to Mt. Talinis—Nacolon, rather—was more than just a hike. It was a reminder of personal growth, a testament to life’s unpredictability, and a lesson in gratitude. To my companions, our organizer, and the rest of the pack—thank you. Hope to see you all on the trails again!
Mount Tainis Itinerary (2D1N)
Plannning to hike Mt. Talinis soon? Here’s a sample itinerary of our 2D1N hike via Apolong-Bediao Trail.
Day 0 – travel from Cebu to Dumaguete
Day 1
- 5am – Meetup at Bell Tower
- 7am – ETD to Jumpoff Statio (Casaroro Falls)
- 8am – start of trek
- 12pm – lunch at Ranger Station
- 1am – Rancho
- 6pm – Camp at Lake Nailig
- 7pm – Dinner
Day2
- 5am – Painit
- 6am – Trek to Summit
- 7am – Summit Pictorials
- 8am – Heavy Breakfast
- 9am – ETD to Lake Yagumyum
- 12pm – Lunch at Lake Yagumyum
- 1pm – Resume Hike
- 4pm – ETA Bejao Base Camp / Washup
- 6pm – ETA Dumaguete
Budget: P1,100
Inclusions: Transportation to and from Dumaguete; Guide Fee
For queries, feel free to contact Ed Den or Gel on Facebook or chika with me on our Facebook and Instagram. Happy trekking!
FRIENDLY REMINDER: Always be a Dakila. Be a responsible hiker. Be a responsible traveler. Let’s follow the LEAVE NO TRACE Principles and keep the integrity of creation. Let’s stop the hate; rather, let’s educate. See you on trails!
READ OTHER HIKING ADVENTURES HERE:
- How the mountains helped me get through these tough times
- Philippine’s Most Beautiful Crater Lakes
- The cost of Mt. Hamiguitan
- Lake Holon: A Proof that Faith can indeed move Mountains
- Mt. Mandalagan: The Plight of Limatiks against Stereotyping
- Mt. Baloy-daku: Four Days Cursing the River, Leeches, Ragiwriw, and everything in Between
Dakilanglaagan 