MOUNT IRIGA (a.k.a. MOUNT
ASOG)
LOCATION: Camarines Sur Province
ELEVATION: 1470 meters above sea level
LEVEL: Minor Climb, Level II, Moderate
JUMP OFF POINTS: Buhi & San Roque, Camarines Sur
INFORMATION:
Mt. Iriga or also known as Mt. Asog, a 1,470 meters high volcano
is one of the major mountains in the Bicol Region. Lying near
the City of Iriga in Camarines Sur, this inactive volcano
offers a breath-taking view of the southern mountains including
Mt Isarog on the northern side of the mountain, Mt. Mayon
, Mt. Malinao and Mt. Masaraga on the southern side. And if
the weather is clear, you can also see Catanduanes and the
Lagonoy Gulf farther south. The well renowned Buhi Lake is
also located at the foot of this mountain. Buhi Lake is home
to the indigenous "Sinarapan" or "Tabios"
the world’s smallest commercial fish. But because of
the introduction of other varieties of fishes particularly
the Tilapia, the Sinarapan currently faces treats of extinction.
ASOG VIEWED FROM LAKE BUHI
This in-active volcano, in ancient times was known as Mt.
Asog after an Agta chieftain that ruled the region. The local
people also call this volcano Mt. Sumagang which means "Mountain
of the Rising Sun." On the Buhi side, Mt. Iriga appears
scarred because of a cavernous gully, which is actually a
collapsed crater left after a violent eruption in 1641.
The trek to the mountain is not that strenuous and can be
made in one day.
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