Mt. Kalawitan (Back Trail): Halloween Climb // October 28 to 31, 2017

First Assault

This is the time of the year where family gathers, to reminisce the good old days of their departed loved ones.  But for people who love adventure, this is the perfect season to have some fun.  It was 6 to 8 months of planning.  This date was primarily allotted for a week-long climb to Mt. Mantalingahan in Palawan.  However, due to logistics issues, Rommel decided to defer the hike and realigned the plan to the north.

When one hears of Mountain Province, perhaps the most prominent places that might come into mind are the hanging coffins, caves, and waterfalls of Sagada.  Yet there are other places beyond the spotlight, which will give more spectacular and thrilling experiences to people who visit them.  One is the pristine Mt. Kalawitan, a contender to the 10th highest mountain in the country (Lasco, 2016).  Let the adventure begin!

Before the Hike
We arrived at the Golden Farm Resort at 7 am and had breakfast while waiting for the arrival of our guides.  The resort is being managed by the caretakers - a hospitable family of 5 members.  I really appreciated the manner of interaction between the 2 daughters with us.  They are very polite, and their voices are calm and captivating.  No wonder one of them was able to leave a warm mark within the heart and mind of Eco (nice!).  We started the hike at 8:30 am.  

Breakfast: Longsilog, chicksilog and brewed coffee

Group photo before the hike

The Hike (Back Trail)
Kalawitan has a huge resemblance to other northern mountains.  The trail has 3 parts: Camp Munna, Mateos Garden, and the summit.  During the first day, the weather was in our favor.  The sun showed its best performance, radiated powerful rays between tree branches, which created a mystifying ambiance within the forest of Pines, magnificent yet exhausting!  

Jerico at the open slopes

A forest of pine trees

A tree struck by lightning. Beautiful disaster!

Munna Camp

We stopped at Munna Camp for lunch. This is the first campsite and the culmination of pine forest.  Up to this point, the existence of that blood-sucking creatures is still negligible.  One may be complacent of having a short and safe rest.  

Honestly, days before this climb, I became hesitant when I learned from Rommel that this mountain has the presence of limatiks.  I had a terrible experience last September during our unsuccessful climb in Mt. Masaraga, wherein 2 to 3 limatiks entered my eyes!  I was just persuaded by the beautiful photos I've seen in our group chat.  

A burning pine wood, which smells like incense

Photo with the 2 new faces

Rommel and Cristel while preparing our lunch.  Most foods were already pre-cooked a day before the hike since this mountain is scarce of a water source.  I can't remember anymore if this is a beef stew

A supposed moment of rest which they allotted in drinking gin.  Later, one will learn his lesson, in a hard and dramatic way. :P

At about 2 pm, a group of descending hikers came after their successful climb.  We interviewed one of them regarding the things that lie ahead.  He told us that the trail is comparable to Mt. Amuyao and Napulauan.  They assaulted the day before and just settled at Mateos Garden by night, due to extreme coldness.  Similar to our plan, their group attempted to accomplish the Kalawitan Circuit (last recorded successful climb was on February 2016); however, they didn't push through because it will take 12 to 14 hours to finish the entire trail from the summit.  Added to the difficulties are the lack of water source and unestablished trail.   We decided to resume our hike at 2:30 pm aiming to reach the summit at night.  By this time, clouds were getting darker.

Hi Jordan! This was the first time I encountered someone carrying a stuffed toy during a climb.  

A series of ups and downs 

Water source at the mossy forest.  The last photo I've taken that day

At about 3:30 pm, we had another stopover at the first and last water source.  I believe, anyone will wonder after seeing it for the first time.  I was totally stunned and questioned our guide to confirm: "Sir dyan po ba talaga kumukuha ng tubig?".  Paulo and Papa Rhey had similar reactions.  Paulo asked me before he refilled his water bottle; while Papa Rhey asked Paulo in a shocking tone.  The water source has a very slow flow; flowing in thick muds where tadpoles were swimming (eh saan umiihi yung mga yon?!). The water is cold and tastes sweet.  Is it safe to drink? uhmm as of this writing, all of us are still living :P After a while, news reached us, a drowsy Rigor rolled on the ground (inom pa more! hahaha).  He only suffered a very minor casualty; we waited for them to arrive at the water source before resuming the hike.  By this time, we dropped the plan of accomplishing the circuit and decided to use the same trail in going back.  We resumed the hike at 5:30 pm.  

Mossy forest at night

Night Assault
It was an arduous night assault.   We experienced several continuous and seems endless steep ascent and descent; the rain poured down; the trail became muddy; the temperature dropped, and limatiks were everywhere!  My climb buddy that night was Papa Rhey.  When we reached Mateos Garden, the lead team was no longer there.  We waited for the rear team, then, decided to settle there and just follow the other group at dawn.  There is a good signal all throughout the trail, we notified Pau that we can't make it that night.

Day 2
We left our things at Mateos Garden and resumed the hike at 5:30 am.  The summit is just an hour away from the campsite. 

A dense forest

Summit

There was no clearing.  Mt. Kalawitan showed us its other form

Philippine Raspberry (Sapinit)

Summit Campsite

Blogger Pose :P

We don't die; we multiply!

Mateos Garden

Papa Rhey resting inside the newly acquired tent of Nato

The Dirty Kitchen

Breakfast / Lunch at Mateos Garden.  Raindrops are falling on our heads

We began descending on the same trail at 11:30 am.  Our descent was easier and was able to reach the jump-off before night. 
Descent Photos

Cristel our Hobbit - An unexpected journey in a faraway land

Mossy Forest

Our version of Silent Hill.  Moving back to Munna Camp

Take 5. performing a ritual dance?

Nature is the masterpiece of all art...can't be replicated...the most sublime! - JSC (November 2017)

Actual Itinerary

October 28, 2017 
8:00 PM: Departure Manila (Greenfield) to Bontoc

October 29, 2017
7:00 AM: Arrival Golden Farm Resort (Jump-off) / Breakfast
8:30 AM: Start of the Hike
1:00 PM: Arrival Camp Munna (1st Camp)
2:30 PM: Resume Hike
3:30 PM: 1st and last water source/rest
5:00 PM: Resume Hike
10:00 PM: Arrival Mateos Garden (2nd Camp) / Emergency Camp (Rear Team: Rommel, Rigor, Papa Rhey, Nato and me)
*Lead team arrived at the summit camp by 10 pm 

October 30, 2017
5:30 AM: Resume the hike to the summit (Rear Team)
7:00 AM: Arrival Summit
8:00 AM: Descend to Mateos Garden 
8:40 AM: Mateos Garden (Breakfast Rest)
11:30 AM; Descent to Golden Farm Resort
5:00 PM: Arrival Golden Farm Resort (Socials)

October 31, 2017 (others went to Buscalan to visit Apo Whang-Od)
9:00 AM: Bontoc to Baguio (Papa Rhey and I)
2:00 PM: Arrival Baguio (shopping)
3:00 PM: Departure Baguio to Manila
9:30 PM: Arrival Manila 

November 1, 2017
1:30 AM: Arrival Manila (Others who went to Buscalan)

Estimated Budget: 3 to 4k per pax (Group of 11)

Worth Remembering (Memories and Thoughts to Look Back)
- Cupid struck Jerico
- Para pong Napulauan at Amuyao yung trail - XoXo Teddy Bear owner
- The rants of the guides at night
- Summer Berries
- The scent of pine trees
- Rebelz Rebelz Rebelz (di ako tinigilan tinigilan ng founder)
- Ang dami nang napuntahan nito simula nung sumama ito sa ugat: Purgatory, Pulag, Ugo...blah blah blah.... tapos mag brebreakaway sa UGAT? - Paulo
- The secret getaway to Lawas Seaside Resort
- Paulo asan yung water source! (Papa Rhey)
- Xoxo Teddy Bear
- Hi Jordan! - Paulo
- The Rolling Rigor
- Bakit di ka makisocials dun sinong iniiwasan mo? (Pau to me) pagod na ko ui!
- Patag
- Ms. Che!
- Di makapasok si Rommel natatakot sa iyo (Paulo to Papa Rhey)
- Naliligaw tayo puro pababa to di ko na makita yung clearing (Papa Rhey)
- Limatik Attack
- Limatik attracted to blue color?
- Ang problema kasi sa Kalinga kapag umuulan madalas naglalandslide - Papa Rhey
- Ah ganun ba cge di na ko sasama - Me
- Strawberry wine that taste like vinegar
- Nilalamig na ko mag e-camp na tayo dito (Papa Rhey)
- Jake nakahanap ka ng climbing buddy mo ah, mahina na si Rhey (Paulo)
- Nato sprayed alcohol to his tent
- May na headshot ng unan sa muka
- The drunk Art Slapped by Papa Rhey
- Sabi ko naman sa iyo hindi habang panahon malakas ka surr (me to Pau)
- Kaya naman pala ng UGAT di uminom sa trail eh (Tel)
- Jake iiwan mo na kami? - Tel

Contact
Golden Farm Resort
Proprietor: Garman B. Pagaduan
Mobile no: 0935-665-1239 / 0905-320-0260
FB Page: Golden Farm Resort

References
1. Lasco, Gideon (2016, January 24). The 10 Highest Mountains in the Philippines (Updated 2016). Retrieved from http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2016/01/the-10-highest-mountains-in-the-philippines-2016-update.html

Photo Credit to Owners

- JSC

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