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

End

Mt. Ugo // January 20 to 22, 2017 (Photo Blast)

Mt. Ugo taken along the trail

The air pressure is low, it will rain! - Pot said while looking at his watch, upon our arrival at Kayapa Public Market.  It will be a muddy trail, I replied.  Later on, it turned out to be a fine day.  Our destination? Mt. Ugo!  

After our major hike in Mt. Pulag via Akiki-Ambangeg trail last December, I'm complacent that this will be an easy one.  At the end of the day, I was stunned!  Most of us got exhausted after hours of walk in a seemingly endless and agonizing trail.  We were rewarded with the picturesque landscapes of the Cordillera, as we push through the pine forest.    

The Hike (Photo Blast)

Group shot after the registration.

Moments of continuous assaults and "cheers"

Photo ops, still a long way to go

Magnificent nature

Having lunch and 2 hours stop over in one of the sitio before resuming the trek

Overlooking Cordillera 

Passion Fruit at the last store.  My childhood curiosity regarding the taste of a real passion fruit is now over! The fruit segments taste sweet; while the seeds are a bit sour.  

The nature near the campsite

Preparing breakfast at the campsite while waiting for the sunrise

Sunrise at Mt. Ugo's campsite and its own version of sea of clouds

Breakfast prepared by Rommel and Jerico

Rommel Dalisay in his courageous stunt

Group Picture at the campsite, 15 minutes away from the summit

A summit which is surrounded with trees

Good time on our way to the village... Consuming the last bottle of gin

The simple life at the village.  Time to say see you soon to the mountain.  The 30 km trek is now over...

Signing out at Itogon

Balik Kapatagan

If anything doesn't go according to plan, remember the 4 Es.  You are there to Explore new places... to Enjoy each moment... to be Enlighten regarding the unknown... and at the latter part, to Enforce an action plan. - CSAC (2017).

Conceptual Itinerary
(note: we hired a van in Cubao which brought us directly to Kayapan)
Day 0 
12:00 mn Victory Terminal GMA kamuning

Day 1
1:30am etd for Bambang, Nueva Viscaya
5:00am Eritao junction,intersection
5:30am jeep to Kayapa
7:30am Kayapa Police Station / registration/ secure guide/breakfast
8:00am start trek
12:00nn Indupit Village/lunch
1:00pm resume trek to Domolpos Village
5:00pm Domolpos Village
5:30pm dinner
11:00pm lights off

Day 2
3:00am wake up call/prep breakfast
4:30am resume trek
7:00am Mt. Ugo Summit(2150 masl)
9:00am start descent on a very steep ridge like pine forest trail
12:00nn Lusod Village /lunch and register at Brgy hall
1:00pm resume trek
3:00pm Itogon Village / Itogon Bridge
3:00pm end of trek /jeep
5:00pm Brgy hall / log out
5:30pm etd for Baguio via chartered jeep

Day 3
1:00am Manila victory terminal bus cubao

Actual Itinerary :D
January 20, 2017 11:00 PM - ETD Cubao to Nueva Vizcaya via Van
January 23, 2017 2:30 AM - ETA Cubao (Genesis Bus Station)

A safe budget for the whole climb 10 pax: more or less 3,000 php per head

Photo Credit: Paulo Marte and Katharine A. Laviña (a.k.a Aling Simang)

End

-JSC

Mt. Purgatory Traverse Hike (Mangisi Trail) // November 18 to 20, 2016

Several months ago, I saw a post in my news feed about a mountain located somewhere in Benguet.  The thing that caught my attention was its name: Mt. Purgatory.  There were 2 things weigh heavily on my mind: "perhaps, this is a tower-like place and the trails are located along the mountainside" and "maybe it is a cold place that has an enigmatic ambiance".    When I made a little research, I saw numerous images of mossy forest (the signature feature of the mountain).  I also found out that it is a range of mountains surrounded by pine trees.  I was fascinated by the things that I saw and looked forward to the day in visiting that place.   The day realized when I was invited by Rommel Dalisay, who I met in Mt. Maynoba.  Initially, I was hesitant.  Yes, I really want to go there; but, my other companions were not available.  In the end, I decided to go solo.  Time to level up! :D
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The Hike

Day 1

The weather was not good during the first day.  The team experienced extreme coldness and a series of rain showers which made the trail muddy and more difficult.  

Our guide during the briefing.  We asked if there are limatiks along the trail, one of them replied:
"There are some, particularly during rainy season".  Luckily no one had an encounter.

The participants before the hike

Newfound friends/travel buddies.  Still fresh!

The Trail

Pine Trees

Going Up.  There was no clearing...... What a foggy day!

Group Pics at Mt. Mangagew.  They are the UGAT Mountaineers

At Mt. Mangagew.  There are 6 mountains in the entire trail.  We had our lunch in one of the sitios before pursuing to Mt. Pack and Purgatory, where one of the highlights of the climb can be found..... The Mossy Forest!

Going to Mt. Pack

A combination of rain and gusty wind! 

The mossy forest begins here.  This place is already a point of no return; the jump-off is already at a distance.  The only option is to keep climbing.

Mt. Pack Entrance

The Mossy Forest (Signature Feature)

Mt. Purgatory, is well-known for having a long (seems endless) mossy forest.  

Mossy Forest

Mossy Forest

Sir Rigor

Me

Mt. Pack Summit

At the summit of Mt. Pack with Alex Agustin

Rigor, Alfred, and Alex.  It was really cold during this moment.  A shot of alcohol from Alfred was truly a great relief!

Group shot at the summit of Mt. Pack

View from the Summit

Going to Mt. Purgatory.  Don't be deceived by that 2.93 KM!  It took us (Me, Rigor, John, and Rai) 2 hours to reach the summit of Purgatory!  

Mt. Purgatory Summit 

It was already night time when we reached Mt. Purgatory's summit.  Our other teammates already went ahead of us.  Yup! The 4 of us were the last people to reach the bunkhouse.  I didn't see my headlamp!  I only found it when I returned home, in the inner part of my bag. :P  We were already exhausted at this time!!! The bunkhouse is still an hour away from this point.     

At the bunkhouse

The last 4 with Sir Rommel

Having dinner.  I forgot to take some pictures!  The bunkhouses are located at the summit of Mt. Bakian.  We dropped the initial plan to camp.  During the night, some were having social drinking, some (Rigor, Alfred, and Papa Rei) played card game and some just took their rest.  A question was also raised if we will still climb Mt. Komkompol (The 6th mountain) the next morning.

Day 2

It was a great day, an opposite of yesterday's weather

Taken outside of the bunkhouse.

Group picture the next morning at Mt. Bakian.  Going to Mt. Tangbaw.  

Pictures taken going to Tangbaw

Nice View

The rest of the teammates

Rommel, the master organizer, and a mountaineering guru.  That backpack he was carrying, it weighed around 40 to 45 kilos!  A man who is an epitome of great strength!

Mt. Tangbaw

At the summit of Mt. Tangbaw

Mt. Komkompol

The trail to the summit of Mt. Komkompol has also a mossy forest.  Kumpol is a Filipino word which means Cluster.  According to our guide, it was named Komkompol because it is a cluster of mountains.

Nice View!!! A perfect place for a horror movie?

At the summit of Mt. Komkompol

Mt. Pulag at the background

The team made it on top.  Achievement: Conquered the 6 mountains of Purgatory Range!! :D

Our tour guides ultimate pose!  Thanks guys see you again!

Side Trip

A river in Ekip

The water is really clear!

Bokod Municipal Hall

Signing Off

Hanging Bridge

This Hanging Bridge has the capacity of 10 people

Hubert

Ambuklao Dam

It was a great experience.  It is true that you will meet a new set of people along the way.  Till the next adventure! :D

Conceptual Itinerary
Day 0
8:00 pm meet up Victory bus terminal Cubao
9:00 pm ETD Cubao

Day 1
4:00 am market (buying of foods for the whole climb)
5:00 am ETA Baguio
7:00 am ETA Japas jump-off point at Bokod Benguet
7:45 am start trek
8:45 am ETA Mt.Mangakew
9:15 am resume trek
11:00 am Bangtingen camp site
12:00 nn ETA Mt. Pack /lunch
1:00 pm resume trek
2:00 pm ETA Mt.Purgatory
4:30 pm ETA Mt.Tangbaw campsite
7:00 pm dinner
10:00 pm lights off

Day 2
5:00 am wake up call
6:00 am breakfast
7:00 am start trek
8:00 am Mt.Kom-kompol
9:00 am start descent
10:00 am the end of the trek at border of Brgy. Ekip
12:00 nn log out at Bokod Municipal
1:00 pm ETA Baguio
2:00 pm gala time
8:00 pm ETD Baguio

1:00 am ETA Cubao

Budget for the whole climb 16 pax: 2,500 per person

Photo Credit: John Edison Villanueva and Rigor Evangelista.

End

- JSC