Mt. Apo will never ever disenchant a mountaineers soul. In my several experience with this mountain in various types of weather, Apo revealed a lot of lessons in life, painted wonderful memories, opened doors of friendship and gave meaningful reasons to keep me discovering more rough terrains.
Two of my most memorable Mt. Apo adventures were in June 11-14, 2014 via Magpet-Old Kidapawan (Mainit) Trail and in April 10-13, 2015 via Sicao-Talomo-Basingan-Apo-Kapatagan Ultra Traverse Trail.
Two of my most memorable Mt. Apo adventures were in June 11-14, 2014 via Magpet-Old Kidapawan (Mainit) Trail and in April 10-13, 2015 via Sicao-Talomo-Basingan-Apo-Kapatagan Ultra Traverse Trail.
THE ULTRA TRAVERSE
Early morning of April 11, 2015; from the summit camp of Mt. Talomo, we excitedly pack our things and vibrantly start the day with good breakfast. We are all excited because, in few hours, we will be with the grandfather of all mountains.
The trail from Mt. Talomo to Mt. Apo is much more difficult and dangerous than the trail from Mt. Sicao to Talomo. Probably, newbies in mountaineering will really be challenged particularly during rainy season. Luckily, with me all the time is the cheerful Doc Jules Reyes and the jolly Ian Tesaluna. Their jokes, stories and gestures was one of the things that psychologically diminished the pain and tiredness. Along the trail, we kept on laughing and giggling as we share funny and inspiring stories.
Three hours after we left the summit of Talomo, we found ourselves in a dense and vibrant primary growth forest. The trail is punctiliously challenging with instances that we dealt with slippery and dangerous cliff, fallen log bridge over a deep gully, and another dangerous river bank rock wall. But we made it, for I have good and cheerful trail buddies, Doc Jules and Ian.
Three hours after we left the summit of Talomo, we found ourselves in a dense and vibrant primary growth forest. The trail is punctiliously challenging with instances that we dealt with slippery and dangerous cliff, fallen log bridge over a deep gully, and another dangerous river bank rock wall. But we made it, for I have good and cheerful trail buddies, Doc Jules and Ian.
When we rested in the next water source, a waterfalls which is around four hours away from the summit of Talomo , we decided to regroup ourselves and plan to shorten our scheduled adventure. Instead of camping in Basinang, we decided to push forward to Lake Venado since we still have ample time. When everyone agreed to the plan, we decided to push and walk faster than our usual phase to be at Venado before sunset. With that, we had only three significant resting stops, during our lunch, in the periphery of Basinang, and in one camp before Venado.
Ian, Doc Jules and I reached Venado at around 4:00 PM, an hour earlier than expected. While waiting for our fellow climbers, Kenneth and Sir Danny; we enjoyed exploring the scenic Lake Venado which was beautified by dense forest and the summit of Mt. Apo as its ‘backdrop’. We likewise had a chance to enjoy cold soft drinks, hardboiled egg and chips which were being sold by a group of Lumads in Lake Venado.
We had our dinner at around 6:30 PM and decided to rest at around 8:00 PM to prepare ourselves for the climax of our hike on the next day
We had our dinner at around 6:30 PM and decided to rest at around 8:00 PM to prepare ourselves for the climax of our hike on the next day
April 12, 2015 was a very exciting day for me because with the good weather condition, I knew that my Apo experience would be far better than the previous because the weather is good and we will be traversing to Kapatagan Trail.
Around 6:00 AM, we had our breakfast and eventually started our trekking towards the summit of Apo. We moved slower to enjoy the beautiful downhill view of the forest, Lake Venado, the nearby mountain ranges and the vast beautiful plains of Mindano. Every five minutes, we would stop and take pictures.
We reached the old crater at 11:00 AM and explored the area. We tried to look for good spots for picture taking, we tried to climb on other peaks of the mountain, and most importantly, we again enjoyed some cold drinks (yes, someone is selling Coca-Cola, Gatorade, chips, hardboiled egg and banana in the summit).
After all members of the group reached the crater, we moved forward to the highest peak of Mt. Apo, just right above the small elongated Crater Lake. Finally, for the second time, I reached the roof of the Philippines! We stayed there for 15 minutes and took a lot of pictures.
I intended to take more pictures in the summit but my camera fell on the ground! It was so unfortunate because I know that in our next destination, it would more picturesque because we will be passing through boulders and the sulphuric vent of the mountain. To my relief, my fellow climber Doc Jules told me that he would take care of my souvenir pictures using his phone and promised to send it through email.
Reaching the roof of the Philippines is just the start of the highlight of my ultra-traverse adventure. When we passed through the boulders and sulphuric vents, I was so amazed and emotionally moved! It was a very awesome God’s creation!
After all members of the group reached the crater, we moved forward to the highest peak of Mt. Apo, just right above the small elongated Crater Lake. Finally, for the second time, I reached the roof of the Philippines! We stayed there for 15 minutes and took a lot of pictures.
I intended to take more pictures in the summit but my camera fell on the ground! It was so unfortunate because I know that in our next destination, it would more picturesque because we will be passing through boulders and the sulphuric vent of the mountain. To my relief, my fellow climber Doc Jules told me that he would take care of my souvenir pictures using his phone and promised to send it through email.
Reaching the roof of the Philippines is just the start of the highlight of my ultra-traverse adventure. When we passed through the boulders and sulphuric vents, I was so amazed and emotionally moved! It was a very awesome God’s creation!
When we reached the end of the boulders, I requested for a longer rest, not because I was very tired but I wanted to paint the scenery in my mind… to have a great picture of this memorable place so that when the time comes that I will no longer have the strength to deal with rough terrains, there would be something for me to reminisce.
After satisfying my thoughts and imagination, our group descended through the vast forest in a gradual to moderate trail until we reached Godi-godi, where we had our lunch.
We reached the edge of the forest at around 3:30 PM and eventually traversed through fertile farmlands. We reached the nearest community at around 4:00 PM and eventually moved down to the mountaineering outpost where we would be riding habal-habal to the nearby town.
We reached the edge of the forest at around 3:30 PM and eventually traversed through fertile farmlands. We reached the nearest community at around 4:00 PM and eventually moved down to the mountaineering outpost where we would be riding habal-habal to the nearby town.
That adventure was one of the longest and most difficult hikes that I had… it was tiring but I knew that this would be the highlight of my life as a mountaineer. One thing that would describe the way I live my life to the fullest.
MAGPET-OLD KIDAPAWAN (MAINIT) TRAIL
On May 20, 2014 , I was invited by Resty, Mark and Glenn to join the Extreme Adventure’s event in Mt. Apo. In my eagerness to be on top of the roof of the country, I ensured that my schedule would fit the said climb by adjusting some of my personal undertakings and private meetings and booked my flight to Davao.
Our adventure started on June 10, 2014, around 11:00 PM. I met Glenn and Resty in Petron Dasmarinas and together we travelled to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 where we met Mark.
We left Manila arrived in Davao at around 5:45 AM. At Francisco Dagohoy International Airport, we met Angelo who was also scheduled to join the climb. Together, we decided to go to SM Ecoland where we had our breakfast. Since we are scheduled to meet at SM Ecoland at 6:00 PM, we decided to look for a resort where we would spend the whole day. We decided to stay at the nearby beach resort and asked the indulgence of the resort manager for us to stay there. Luckily, the owner permitted us to stay there as long as we would order food and beverages while we are there. After 10 long hours of enjoying beverages, food and music while waiting at the resort, we proceeded back to SM Ecoland to meet the fellow Extreme Adventure participants.
Our adventure started on June 10, 2014, around 11:00 PM. I met Glenn and Resty in Petron Dasmarinas and together we travelled to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 where we met Mark.
We left Manila arrived in Davao at around 5:45 AM. At Francisco Dagohoy International Airport, we met Angelo who was also scheduled to join the climb. Together, we decided to go to SM Ecoland where we had our breakfast. Since we are scheduled to meet at SM Ecoland at 6:00 PM, we decided to look for a resort where we would spend the whole day. We decided to stay at the nearby beach resort and asked the indulgence of the resort manager for us to stay there. Luckily, the owner permitted us to stay there as long as we would order food and beverages while we are there. After 10 long hours of enjoying beverages, food and music while waiting at the resort, we proceeded back to SM Ecoland to meet the fellow Extreme Adventure participants.
Around 8:00 PM, we moved to Kidapawan City where we were scheduled to stay during the night. Sadly, it was already impossible to proceed to the resort at the jump-off since we arrived late in Kidapawan. We instead decided to stay at one of the guide’s house.
The next day, we proceed to Magpet Trail Head... it was a resort! We dipped in the cool natural pool at the base of the beautiful waterfalls while waiting for our lunch.
After lunch, we started trekking towards the first camp where we were scheduled to set up tents for the night. We initially entered a farm and a secondary forest. The trail was moderately steep and wide. It took us five hours to reach the camp site in the middle of the lush and vibrant forest.
The next day, we proceed to Magpet Trail Head... it was a resort! We dipped in the cool natural pool at the base of the beautiful waterfalls while waiting for our lunch.
After lunch, we started trekking towards the first camp where we were scheduled to set up tents for the night. We initially entered a farm and a secondary forest. The trail was moderately steep and wide. It took us five hours to reach the camp site in the middle of the lush and vibrant forest.
We spent our first night in the camp. I guess, that was one of my most peaceful nights after more than three months of intense work and activities in school. It was a real rest of mind… so peaceful that I never had any dream or perhaps I never remembered anything. The next morning, I had a feeling of lightness and calmness… the first time after I took over the management of our college as the Dean.
After our breakfast, we started our journey towards Lake Venado, our next stop. At first, the journey in the forest was quite challenging but generally manageable. After an hour of trekking, we found ourselves in a muddy trail so much that my pants and shirt started to turn murky. With different phases, some were probably hundreds of meters ahead of me while some are way far behind me. I was probably in the middle of the pack, with Sir Jhun Aguilar, a second-time climber who is really a passionate photographer. I decided to trek slowly to enjoy the vibrant forest and the very picturesque greenies and precisely, I was enjoying his company.
After three more hours, we reached the most difficult part of the trail… the most muddy, slippery and inclined. The part of the trail which gave me emotional set back because after gaining 400 meters of altitude, we descended to a river valley, around 200 meters deep. As I descend on the riverbank, I fell and rolled around the steep, muddy and slippery when an old branch of tree fell on my back. My knee was aching when I reached the river. Pain that started to disturb me and forced me to ask if I still can reach the summit the mountain. We had our lunch and rested in the riverbank while waiting for other members of the team who were left behind.
After three more hours, we reached the most difficult part of the trail… the most muddy, slippery and inclined. The part of the trail which gave me emotional set back because after gaining 400 meters of altitude, we descended to a river valley, around 200 meters deep. As I descend on the riverbank, I fell and rolled around the steep, muddy and slippery when an old branch of tree fell on my back. My knee was aching when I reached the river. Pain that started to disturb me and forced me to ask if I still can reach the summit the mountain. We had our lunch and rested in the riverbank while waiting for other members of the team who were left behind.
After we successfully regrouped, we then continued hiking, until we reached the creepy looking thick mossy forest. What was next to this mossy world was almost unrelenting ups and downs (but mostly ups), and almost interminable winding muddy trail. The strong rain which made the trekking more difficult forced some of us to walk slowly, some push despite the rain while some sought refuge under large foliage. In my case, I decided to walk gradually and followed the trail leader.
After an hour, I found myself walking alone… it was bit creepy because the thick clouds and pouring rain created a seemingly dusk environment, so I decided to walk faster despite of my pain in the knee. When I was energized to see the tents and huts of Lumads in the distance which signified that Lake Venado is just a kilometer or less away.
At the edge of the forest, I found one of my fellow climbers resting on a rock. I thought he knew that Lake Venado was just few steps away until he expressed that he would set emergency camp after short due to exhaustion. He was shocked with my reaction, I laughed so hard… I attempted to carry his bag and told him to push a little more because we are now about few steps to the edge of Lake Venado. At first, he did not believe but my persuasiveness pushed him to walk a little… in less than thirty steps, we emerged from the foliage and presto, it was already the bank of Lake Venado. We walked towards the hut of some Lumads who turned out to be selling coffee, soft drinks, bread, chips and other food to mountaineers and met some of our fellow climbers who arrived few minutes before us. At last, it’s my time to rest… it was a very difficult journey but it was so fulfilling… I made it to Lake Venado and look at my clothes!
After an hour, I found myself walking alone… it was bit creepy because the thick clouds and pouring rain created a seemingly dusk environment, so I decided to walk faster despite of my pain in the knee. When I was energized to see the tents and huts of Lumads in the distance which signified that Lake Venado is just a kilometer or less away.
At the edge of the forest, I found one of my fellow climbers resting on a rock. I thought he knew that Lake Venado was just few steps away until he expressed that he would set emergency camp after short due to exhaustion. He was shocked with my reaction, I laughed so hard… I attempted to carry his bag and told him to push a little more because we are now about few steps to the edge of Lake Venado. At first, he did not believe but my persuasiveness pushed him to walk a little… in less than thirty steps, we emerged from the foliage and presto, it was already the bank of Lake Venado. We walked towards the hut of some Lumads who turned out to be selling coffee, soft drinks, bread, chips and other food to mountaineers and met some of our fellow climbers who arrived few minutes before us. At last, it’s my time to rest… it was a very difficult journey but it was so fulfilling… I made it to Lake Venado and look at my clothes!
I set my tent and rested while waiting for the other members of the group who arrived hours after us. While in my tent, I checked my knee, it was bit swollen. That time, I simply said, for now, I would settle for Venado… at least I would have reason to be in Apo again.
During dinner, we had very meaningful and joyful conversation. Honestly, I never shared that I was injured during the trek to Lake Venado to avoid others from being anxious… I kept it secret so as not to spoil their excitement for the next day, the assault to the roof of the Philippines.
We went to bed as early as 9:00 PM because we need to wake up at 1:30 in the morning to push the 2:30 AM summit assault. I hardly prayed then that my knee would feel better...
During dinner, we had very meaningful and joyful conversation. Honestly, I never shared that I was injured during the trek to Lake Venado to avoid others from being anxious… I kept it secret so as not to spoil their excitement for the next day, the assault to the roof of the Philippines.
We went to bed as early as 9:00 PM because we need to wake up at 1:30 in the morning to push the 2:30 AM summit assault. I hardly prayed then that my knee would feel better...
When I woke up, my knee was still swollen... actually, it was far swollen than yesterday. However, the pain was not that severe as yesterday probably because of the pain reliever that i taken before sleeping.
I decided to push with the summit assault and walk as if there is no problem with my knee. I tried to walk normally despite of the pain to avoid the eyes of my fellow climbers.
We pushed slowly towards the summit because the trail is very slippery and dark. That gave me more hope in reaching the summit because the stress on my knee is lesser.
At 7:15 AM, I reached the top of the mountain. With Sir Gil Magsilat, Resty, Glenn Molano, Mark Ramos, Angelo Academia and Christian Le; we explored some of the peaks of Mt. Apo and took pictures as more as we can. Luckily, despite of the unpredictable weather; there was a clearing and Apo gave us a chance to see the downhill view... it was soul-delighting!
I decided to push with the summit assault and walk as if there is no problem with my knee. I tried to walk normally despite of the pain to avoid the eyes of my fellow climbers.
We pushed slowly towards the summit because the trail is very slippery and dark. That gave me more hope in reaching the summit because the stress on my knee is lesser.
At 7:15 AM, I reached the top of the mountain. With Sir Gil Magsilat, Resty, Glenn Molano, Mark Ramos, Angelo Academia and Christian Le; we explored some of the peaks of Mt. Apo and took pictures as more as we can. Luckily, despite of the unpredictable weather; there was a clearing and Apo gave us a chance to see the downhill view... it was soul-delighting!
While in the summit, I pampered myself with sweet blue berries, it was very tasteful and delicious.. a nice reward in reaching the roof of the Philippines with swollen knee.
I resorted to pain reliever, menthol ointment and flexible cloth band to reduce the pain on my knee... and it was bit successful. But when we rested for almost an hour while waiting for other climbers in the place where we were scheduled to meet, my body started to chill due to strong cold wind and my knee became so painful that I could not stand. I resorted to massage and stretching.
When it was our time to go back to Lake Venado, I forced myself to stand and move my feet. In my first few steps, the pain is almost unbearable but I had no choice but to bear every pain. While descending, pain slowly diminished until it became bearable.
At 9:45, we reached Lake Venado where we had our snacks-breakfast.
I resorted to pain reliever, menthol ointment and flexible cloth band to reduce the pain on my knee... and it was bit successful. But when we rested for almost an hour while waiting for other climbers in the place where we were scheduled to meet, my body started to chill due to strong cold wind and my knee became so painful that I could not stand. I resorted to massage and stretching.
When it was our time to go back to Lake Venado, I forced myself to stand and move my feet. In my first few steps, the pain is almost unbearable but I had no choice but to bear every pain. While descending, pain slowly diminished until it became bearable.
At 9:45, we reached Lake Venado where we had our snacks-breakfast.
Extreme Outdoor Club Photos, 2014
After lunch, we hurriedly break our camp, took one last souvenir picture in Lake Venado, and began descending via old Mainit Trail.
When I was advised that our trek would be 6 to 8 hours, I started to be weary because I am not sure if my injured knee could sustain it. I realized was my only option is the menthol ointment, pain reliever and prayer to make it.
As we descend, I realized that the pain could only be felt after long rest and it was unnoticeable during continuous walk. And so, I walk slower with almost no rest.
We kept walking along very muddy and slippery trail with some very steep (almost 90 degrees) downhill trekking. The trail was very difficult and dangerous. As far as i remember, to avoid the pain on injured knee, my only long stop was in a hotspring where we had our late lunch.
When I was advised that our trek would be 6 to 8 hours, I started to be weary because I am not sure if my injured knee could sustain it. I realized was my only option is the menthol ointment, pain reliever and prayer to make it.
As we descend, I realized that the pain could only be felt after long rest and it was unnoticeable during continuous walk. And so, I walk slower with almost no rest.
We kept walking along very muddy and slippery trail with some very steep (almost 90 degrees) downhill trekking. The trail was very difficult and dangerous. As far as i remember, to avoid the pain on injured knee, my only long stop was in a hotspring where we had our late lunch.
After our lunch, I dipped my knees on hot spring which in turn gave me soothing relief from pain.
After resting, we continued the gruesome journey in rocky, slippery, muddy and sometime steep trail that run across the forest, along and across the river, and at the side of steep terrains. Our journey became more challenging when the night came. It took us around 11 hours from Lake Venado to reach the hot spring resort, where we were scheduled to stay and rest before going back to Davao City.
After resting, we continued the gruesome journey in rocky, slippery, muddy and sometime steep trail that run across the forest, along and across the river, and at the side of steep terrains. Our journey became more challenging when the night came. It took us around 11 hours from Lake Venado to reach the hot spring resort, where we were scheduled to stay and rest before going back to Davao City.
When I saw the trail head sign and the road that will lead us to the resort, I literally shouted "YES, Thank you LORD, it was over". I hurriedly went to the resort and immediately looked for a good place to rest while waiting for our fellow climbers.
Mt. Apo, truly the grandest among Philippine Mountains.
Mt. Apo, truly the grandest among Philippine Mountains.