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MOUNT MAYON (VOLCANO)
LOCATION: Albay Province
ELEVATION: 2,421 meters above sea level
LEVEL: Major Climb, Level III, Strenuous
JUMP OFF POINTS: Tabaco, Albay
INFORMATION:
Mayon Volcano lies in the eastern portion of the province
of Albay and is about 300 kilometers southeast of Manila.
It is well known as a national tourist attraction because
of its beauty and near perfect cone. Mayon reaches up around
2,421 meters above sea level and covers an area of 250 square
meters. Its base circumference is 62.8 kilometers encompassing
the towns of Camalig, Malipot and Sto. Domingo. Mayon is classified
as a stratovolcano or composite cone. It consists of deposits
formed basically by four major types of volcanic activity
namely, airfall deposition, pyroclastic flows, rain-triggered
debris flow and lava flows. Airfalls and pyroclastic flow
deposits are composed of unconsolidated materails, varying
size from ash to small boulders. These deposits result from
the erruption of fragmented rocks from the crater and are
transported downslope under the influence of gravity, explosion
blast and the prevailing wind.
Considered the most active volcano in the Philippines, Mayon
has had at least 44 eruptions since 1616. Its most violent
and devastating outburst occurred on February 1, 1814. Nearby
towns of Camalig, Cagsawa and Budiao were severely damaged,
half of Guinobatan ruined and at least 1200 perished in this
eruption. The eruptions of Mayon are usually explosive in
nature. They are characterized by the emission of fine ash
and ash-laden gases forming huge "cauliflower" clouds.
The symmetry of the volcano indicated that the eruptions have
always occurred at the central vent and that these have never
been violent enough to destroy Mayon’s form. Mayon,
though sometimes destructive, is also productive. It’s
fertile slopes and surrounding plains coupled by abundant
rainfall throughout the year have made Albay a rich agricultural
region with the bulk of its population found in the towns
bordering the volcano such as Camalig, Guinobatan, Daraga,
Legaspi, Sto. Domingo. Ligao and Malilipot. The region is
suited for growing abaca and coconut, tow of Bicol’s
major crop as well as palay and vegetables.
In terms of climbing Mayon, its one awesome experience you
will never forget. Not only that you will be scaling one of
the most popular natural attractions of the country, the views
from the bare peak are wonderful. The climb is a mixed experience
of varying degrees of difficulty, from forest trekking, to
talahib grasslands bushwhacking and to rock scrambling.
LEGENDS:
Long ago, the legend goes, there was a village chieftain
in the name of Makusog. Makusog had a beautiful and sweet
daughter named Daragang Magayanon. One day Magayonan was bathing
in the river, she slipped and was carried away by the river.
It so happens when a son of a Tagalog chieftain named Panganoron
was walking at the same river. Upon seeing Magayanon drowning,
Panganoron jumped into the river and saved her. From hence,
both Panagnoron and Magayon met often until their fondness
developed into a romance. Makusog also became fond of Panganoron
and later declared the marriage of her daugther to Panganoron.
Datu Patuga, a chieftain from Iriga who is also in love with
Magayanon didn’t accepted the news of Magayanons imminent
wedding. He kidnapped Makusog and requested the hand of Magayanon
in return for his freedom. Magayanon, who loved her father
very much, obliged and the wedding date was set. Panganoron,
upon learning of the fate of her lover attacked Patuga on
the day of the wedding. A fierce battle ensued and when the
smoke had cleared, Magayanon was killed by an arrow and Panganoron,
while attending to her was also stabbed. The two lovers were
burried together side by side. One day, the villagers noticed
that the land from where they were buried continued to rise
until a mountain was formed. They named the mountain Magayanon
that was later shortened to Mayon. On some days, there are
rumbling sounds from the earth and later red-hot rocks bursts
from the crater. The people say that this is Patuga trying
to get back the gift he gave Magayanon, which were burried
with her. On some days, when the tip of the volcano is covered
with clouds, the people say that Panganoron is kissing Magayanon.
When rain falls on the slope people say that he is crying
from the loss of her loved one.
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