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BY BOY RYAN ZABAL
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Wednesday, May 10, 2017
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KALIBO, Aklan – Two young mountaineers, whom authorities said went missing while hiking in Aklan and Antique, were never really lost.
Richard Ropero Cahilig and Ritchel Casidsid of Lezo and Malay in Aklan, respectively, are safe and well, according to a mountaineering group.
Cahilig, Casidsid and a local guide failed to return on May 7 after trekking Mt. Nausang and Mt. Madyaas.
But “they are not missing,” Cahilig’s fellow member in the Aklan Mountaineers Organization said in a text message.
“Wala silang signal dahil running low ang battery ng mobile phones nila,” the member said. “Our team already made contact with them, and they are safe.”
Cahilig already conquered the terrains of Vang Vieng Viewpoint in Laos; Mt. Opao in Igbaras, Iloilo; Mt. Igduao in Valderrama, Antique; and Mt. Halcon in Oriental Mindoro before climbing Mt. Nausang for the second time.
Nausang — locally known as Nausan — is the highest peak in Aklan and the fourth highest in Western Visayas after Madyaas, Nangtud and Baloy.
Cahilig, Casidsid and their guide trekked from Barangay Oyang, Libacao, Aklan on May 4 and decided to rest in Sitio Manapnag, Barangay Panipiason, Madalag, Aklan on May 5.
They climbed Mt. Nausang and returned on May 6 in Barangay Panipiason. On May 8 they were on their way up Mt. Madyaas — the highest mountain in Panay (2,113 meters above sea level) — toward Barangay Osorio, Culasi, Antique.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Galo Ibardolaza advised disaster management offices in Libacao and Madalag on Monday to “assist in locating and extracting the mountaineers” and report any development in their situation.
Trekkers are reminded to bring with them adequate clothing, food and water, a topographic trail map, and a spare battery; have a hiking partner; and wear proper footwear, especially when heading to an unfamiliar trail. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
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