Mount Banahaw

Mount Banahaw

Mt. Banahaw in 2007
Highest point
Elevation 2,170 m (7,120 ft) [1][2]
Prominence 1,919 m (6,296 ft) [1]
Listing Ultra
Coordinates 14°04′03″N 121°29′33″E / 14.06750°N 121.49250°E / 14.06750; 121.49250Coordinates: 14°04′03″N 121°29′33″E / 14.06750°N 121.49250°E / 14.06750; 121.49250 [1][3]
Geography
Mount Banahaw

Map of the Philippines

Location Provinces of Quezon and Laguna on Luzon Island, Philippines
Geology
Mountain type Complex volcano
Volcanic arc/belt Macolod Corridor
Last eruption 1843

Mount Banahaw (alternative spelling: Banahao or Banájao) is an active volcano on Luzon in the Philippines. The three-peaked volcano complex is located between the provinces of Laguna and Quezon and is the tallest mountain in the CALABARZON region dominating the landscape for miles around.[4]

The mountain is considered by many as a "Holy mountain" and is popular among pilgrims along with mountain climbers. It is located in a protected area known as Mounts Banahaw–San Cristobal Protected Landscape covering 10,901 hectares (26,940 acres) of land.[5][6]

Physical characteristics

The andesitic Banahaw volcano complex is composed of several mountains with Mount Banahaw, the largest with a maximum elevation of 2,170 metres (7,119 ft) above mean sea level. The summit is topped by a 1.5 by 3.5 kilometres (0.93 mi × 2.17 mi) and 210 metres (690 ft) deep crater that is breached on the southern rim believed to have been caused by the 1730 eruption. Prior to 1730, a lake occupies the summit crater of Mount Banahaw. The resulting flood destroyed the town of Sariaya, Quezon located below the mountain.[7]

  • Tiaong-San Pablo hot/warm springs
  • Bakia warm/cold springs
  • Sampaloc warm springs
  • Mainit hot/warm springs
  • Cagsiay hot/warm springs

Importance to locals

Banahaw is a traditional pilgrimage site for locals, believed by many as a "Holy mountain", a spiritually-charged location. The mountain and its environs are considered sacred by local residents; the water from its sacred springs are deemed "holy water" for allegedly having beneficial qualities, issuing forth from locations called "puestos" or "holy sites". These sites are unique natural features composed not only of springs, but also caves, streams and boulders; with names with biblical allusions, and shrines erected in, on or around them. These locations were allegedly revealed to a man named Agripino Lontoc by the "Santong Boses" or the "Holy Voices", which also gave the names to these places way back during the Spanish Colonial Era. Another one of this mountain is the adjacent Mount Banahaw de Lucbán.[7]

Hiking activity on Banahaw

Aerial view of Mt Banahaw from the south-west

The mountain is popular not only to pilgrims but also among mountain climbers being the closest over 2,000-metre (6,600 ft) mountain from Manila. Hiking activity peaks during Holy Week each year, with climbers numbering to the thousands. At least four trails exist from Dolores, Sariaya, and other towns of Quezon located on its foothills. The most frequently used trails are the Cristalino and Tatlong Tangke, taking an average of 9 and 5 hours, respectively. These two trails originate from Barangay Kinabuhayan in Dolores, and meet near the summit, which is actually the rim of the Banahaw caldera. On the summit are viewpoints, labeled as Durungawan I, II, and III, which are the usual destination for pilgrims and hikers. Other points of interest include the "Kuweba ng Diyos Ama" (Tagalog: Cave of God the Father) and the spring at Brgy. Kinabuhayan, said to have curative powers.[7]

Pollution

Due to incessant climbing activity the mountain trails have become littered with trash. In March 2004, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered a 5-year suspension of hiking activity in the mountains, covering the Dolores and Sariaya trails. Reopening was delayed was then scheduled to March 2012, but was further extended to February 2015.[4][8][9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Philippines Mountains" - Ultra Prominence Page. Peaklist.org. Listed here as "Mount Banahao". Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  2. ↑ "Mount Banahao, Philippines" Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  3. ↑ "Banahaw". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  4. 1 2 "Mount Banahaw". PinoyMountaineer. 7 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  5. ↑ "Protected Areas in Region IV-A (CALABARZON)". Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. Retrieved on 2011-09-26.
  6. ↑ "NIPAS Initial Components (PDF)". Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. Retrieved on 2011-09-26.
  7. 1 2 3 "Mount Banahaw". Malapascua. Retrieved on 2011-09-25.
  8. ↑ "Mountain News: Mt. Halcon and Mt. Banahaw status updated". Pinoy Mountaineer. Retrieved on 2011-09-27.
  9. ↑ "Banahaw, San Cristobal mountains closed to trekkers till 2015". Inquirer News. Retrieved on 2012-02-26.

External links

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