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Description
December 2003.

Me and my friends took a break from the city's urban chaos and embarked on a 3-day hike to Mount Talinis at Negros Oriental in the Philippines.

This photo was taken on the last day of our hike on our way down the mountain. We trekked 3 hours from our last camp and arrived at this beautiful site. This is the river that runs through the Kaipuhan (kah-eeh-pooh-han) sulfur vent of Mount Talinis. The two persons in the photos are my friends Chad and Grace. Take note of the dead and uprooted trees along the side of the sulfur river. The river has turned into a whitish, yellow-green because of its sulfur content. It kinda reminded us of Mordor when we got there.

The remarkable thing though, is that on the other side of the area where my two friends are sitting flows another river clear of the sulfur vent. And compared to the sulfuric river in the photo, this other river is crystal clear. These two rivers merge together not a few meters from where I am standing taking this photo.

It was a beautiful sight... quite refreshing for a weary group of exhausted hikers trudging down the mountain in the middle of a storm. We took in the sight, had our trail snacks and photos, got some quick rest, and continued on down the mountain's muddy trail for another 5 hours.

Gashes, thorns, cramps and aching muscles... on our hikes, it's always worth it. And this hike was definitely no exception. Being with Nature and the Great Outdoors; enjoying every breath of fresh air and taking in the beauty of the natural landscape has always been the common denominator among our group's members.

...This, is where we find peace... this, is our release.

Description
December 2003.

Me and my friends took a break from the city's urban chaos and embarked on a 3-day hike to Mount Talinis at Negros Oriental in the Philippines.

This photo was taken on the last day of our hike on our way down the mountain. We trekked 3 hours from our last camp and arrived at this beautiful site. This is the river that runs through the Kaipuhan (kah-eeh-pooh-han) sulfur vent of Mount Talinis. The two persons in the photos are my friends Chad and Grace. Take note of the dead and uprooted trees along the side of the sulfur river. The river has turned into a whitish, yellow-green because of its sulfur content. It kinda reminded us of Mordor when we got there.

The remarkable thing though, is that on the other side of the area where my two friends are sitting flows another river clear of the sulfur vent. And compared to the sulfuric river in the photo, this other river is crystal clear. These two rivers merge together not a few meters from where I am standing taking this photo.

It was a beautiful sight... quite refreshing for a weary group of exhausted hikers trudging down the mountain in the middle of a storm. We took in the sight, had our trail snacks and photos, got some quick rest, and continued on down the mountain's muddy trail for another 5 hours.

Gashes, thorns, cramps and aching muscles... on our hikes, it's always worth it. And this hike was definitely no exception. Being with Nature and the Great Outdoors; enjoying every breath of fresh air and taking in the beauty of the natural landscape has always been the common denominator among our group's members.

...This, is where we find peace... this, is our release.