2 trekkers return safely from Kanlaon Volcano

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A Polish trekker and her local guide have safely returned from Kanlaon Volcano, which spewed steam ash on Monday.

Anna Hodson and Balmerie Villar arrived in Barangay Minoyan in Murcia town, Negros Occidental at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

Authorities failed to contact the trekkers on Monday, as they were in the middle of a forest, where a mobile phone signal was not available.

The Office of the Protected Area Superintendent was able to contact Hodson on Tuesday.

Villar said they learned about the phreatic explotion from the Kanlaon Green Brigade.

He said they left on Monday and arrived near the crater on Tuesday. 

Villar said the volcano was emitting sound and smelling of sulfur. He said he noticed ashes around.

They went down after 30 minutes, unaware that a phreatic explosion had occurred.

Hodson, a seasoned mountaineer, said she was amazed by the scenery around the Kanlaon Volcano. She was thankful they were able to return safely to the lowlands. She said she would still want to go back near the crater.

Hodson’s last trek was in the Himalayas before she went to the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the city government of Canlaon in Negros Oriental held an emergency preparedness meeting and information campaign with the residents, according to Mayor Jimmy Clerigo.

Based on the Kanlaon Volcano hazard map, among the areas that would be affected in case of eruption are the cities of Canlaon, La Carlota, Bago and San Carlos, and the towns of La Castellana, Murcia and Moises Padilla.