Mt.Makiling
Los Baños, Laguna ( UPLB Trail)
Elevation: 1130 m a s l
Alcynt A. Gabriel
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Mt. Makiling is located in the province of Laguna. It is an inactive volcano, which rises to 1130 m above sea level. Legends surround the mountain, many of which relate to Maria Makiling, said to be the 'guardian fairy' of the mountain. The contour of the mountain is said to be that of her in a reclining position.
Makiling is home to more than 2,000 species of flowering plants, 291 species of ferns, 211 species of mosses, 45 species of mammals, 181 species of birds, 65 species of reptiles, 22 species of amphibians and thousand insects and other arthropods.
Our first climb ( Night Trek ) at Mt. Makiling is a failure because in that season there was typhoon signal no. 2. We start at the UPLB and we only reach only at the “ College of Forestry “, Funny…. because we have no idea where do we go. And we decided to fixed tent beside the road.. ( he.. he..he.. pag gising naming pinag tatawanan kami ng mga dumadaan ) . In our second climb in the same year mid of 1999 we successfully reach the summit. But there another funny story during this climb. We have no idea what LIMATIKS look like. Before we assault to the summit, we decide to rest near the wilderness zone when we woke up some of the BAKS scream because outside of our tent there a lot of small creature look like a worm “ yun na nga ang limatik “ we amaze because all these creature are pointed to us.
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ote: One recommended method of removal is using a fingernail to break the seal of the oral sucker at the anterior end (the smaller, thinner end) of the leech, repeating with the posterior end, then flicking the leech away. As the fingernail is pushed along the person's skin against the leech, the suction of sucker's seal is broken, at which point the leech should detach its jaws. A common but medically inadvisable technique to remove a leech is to apply a flame, a lit cigarette, salt, soap, or a caustic chemical such as alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice, insect repellent, heat rub, or certain carbonated drinks. These cause the leech to regurgitate its stomach contents into the wound and quickly detach.
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here is no guaranteed method of preventing leech bites in leech-infested areas. The most reliable method is to cover exposed skin. The effect of insect repellents is disputed, but it is generally accepted that strong (maximum strength or tropical) insect repellents do help prevent bites.
Leech socks can be helpful in preventing bites when the full body will not be at risk of contact with leeches. Leech socks are pulled over the wearer’s trousers to prevent leeches reaching the exposed skin of the legs and attaching there or climbing towards the torso. The socks are generally a light color that also makes it easier to spot leeches climbing up from the feet and looking for skin to attach to.
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OINTS OF INTEREST IN BEFORE AND AFTER CLIMBING MT. MAKILING:
* UPLB
* BOYSCOUT OF THE PHILIPPINES(site of the 10th World Scout Jamboree)
* POOK NI MARIANG MAKILING ( Picnic area / swimming pool )
* FLAT ROCKS
* MUD SPRING
* WATER FALLS
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