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The Mountains

On paper, the 404,769-hectare island of Masbate presents no promising peaks in terms of elevation. The highest mountain in Masbate, Mt Uac in Milagros town, stands at a measly elevation of 1,945ft ASL. In 1942, the island is said to be mostly virgin forest, the refuge of Filipino guerillas fighting the Japanese Imperial Army forces. Today, its undulating mountains or ‘hills’ is a blight spectacle of lifeless rocks, rank cogon grass and barren slopes.

Mountain Traverse: However, despite of its deficiencies, Masbate remains viable for trekking, in particular for mountain traverse. Stretches of rock-ridges – the spines of long eroded mountains – are found in Mandaon, Balud and Milagros towns. Unlike any bushwalk, however, a mountain traverse in Masbate is a prolonged exposure to the searing heat of the sun in summer. Be that as it may, a trekker must take cognizance of the fact that most of the Masbate countryside is divided into fenced landholdings of ranchers. Grazing cattle is a common fixture of Masabte countryside scenes.
            

Rock-Climbing: Mostly granite, the sheer rock-faces, about 300 to 700 ft high, in Masabte are its primary asset. Again, Mandaon, Balud and Milagros abound with such natural walls, likely ‘virgin’ to rock-climbers. Of special mention, the crags of Pulo-Dacu and Cagmasusu isles, off the bay of Mandaon, are boasting a challenge along the coast.

Spelunking: For caving, Brgy Bat-ongon in Mandaon is said to have a cave with a vertical opening (the party failed to see it for lack of time). Perhaps, this is the famous Botongon Cave with a marvelous tunnel connected to a cave in Zapatos Is. At any rate, Masbate must have several caves considering that limestone cliffs line its northwestern coast.