Mt.. Madjaas at 2113 meters high, is the tallest peak in Panay island.
after a two hour trip from Catiklan, we arrived in Culasi town. we went to the tourism office of Mr. John Sumanting. located on the second floor of the culasi public market. there we had to pay a 150 per person fee for permission to access the mountain. we also had to check in with the local police. the tourism office called for transportation ( in this case two motorcycles ). we then bought supplies in the market for us and the guides and porters. after a 30 or so minute ride on dirt road we arrived at our starting point, Brgy flores. where the motorcyles took us to the house of our guide Josue.
the climb started easy enough, at 400m brgy flores, is the closes point to access the mountain. the trail was arduous, and very often steep. on the trail we saw Spathoglottis kimbaliana var. antiquense
after a two hour trip from Catiklan, we arrived in Culasi town. we went to the tourism office of Mr. John Sumanting. located on the second floor of the culasi public market. there we had to pay a 150 per person fee for permission to access the mountain. we also had to check in with the local police. the tourism office called for transportation ( in this case two motorcycles ). we then bought supplies in the market for us and the guides and porters. after a 30 or so minute ride on dirt road we arrived at our starting point, Brgy flores. where the motorcyles took us to the house of our guide Josue.
the climb started easy enough, at 400m brgy flores, is the closes point to access the mountain. the trail was arduous, and very often steep. on the trail we saw Spathoglottis kimbaliana var. antiquense
a beautiful terrestrial orchid growing amidst the cogon fields. also amonst the trail was Paphiopedillum Hennisianum and Impatients with a very long spur. we also nibbled on some berries ( Rubus rosifolius ). much like strawberries. At around 4pm we arrived at the campsite located 1100 m.
THE CLOUD FOREST
At this level, everything was covered in moss & orchids. species like bulbophyllum, thelasis and dendrochilium. so where the jewel orchids. common on the ground.
THE CLOUD FOREST
At this level, everything was covered in moss & orchids. species like bulbophyllum, thelasis and dendrochilium. so where the jewel orchids. common on the ground.
Anoectochilus sp.
Zuxine marivilensis flower
Zuxine lancifolia
Liparis dumaguetensis
Phaius fragilis
We stayed overnight near a water source at 1100 m
the next day, we woke up early and tried to reach 1800m
amonst the trees I found several liparis ( stichorchis ) philippinense one of which was flowering .
the next day, we woke up early and tried to reach 1800m
amonst the trees I found several liparis ( stichorchis ) philippinense one of which was flowering .
with the thousands of Dendrochilum plants growing we only saw one that was blooming , Dendrochilum hastetum
by the time we arrived at 1400m I was tired and decided to stay behind, I told the Bulbophyllum expert to go ahead and try reaching 1800m. while i was resting, i still was looking for terrestrial orchids, which can be confusing because some orchids which where normally epiphytes are growing as terrestrials in this mossy forest. like this Appendicula luzonensis
at 1200 til 1400 m we found
Corybas sp.
Goodyera sp.
Dendrobium auriculatum
The bulbophyllum expert came back, saying he didn't reach 1800, because the 1400m level is large. but he did mention he saw nepentes sp. on the way back to camp we saw orchids we missed like
Thelasis pygmea