Dayhiking Mt. Kintanglad and Mt. Dulang-Dulang (D2K)

I planned for this last year only to be left behind by the airplane.  A late morning rain and a horrible traffic ruined my plan.  I arrived at the airport thirty minutes after the plane departed.  The airline staff wouldn't agree with me taking the next flight despite my begging.  It was clear that re-booking was the only option.  However, that would mean incurring an added expense that was just substantial for me to bear.  I went out of the airport not just with a heavy backpack but also with a heavy heart.  I learned my lesson.

Fast forward to 2014, taking advantage of an airline promo, I booked myself a flight to CDO.  Coincidentally, my booking was of the same month as last year.  With everything regarding the climb all set, I can’t afford to be left behind.  Fortunately, this time around I left the airport on board a plane. 

 

Kitanglad Mountain Ranges

 Doing a solo hike on Kintanglad Range has been on top of my bucket list.  My feet has long been itching to step on the trails of Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Dulang-Dulang .  These two mountains have a high appeal to me.  Reading the accounts of those who have climbed, just excite me.  At the same time, knowing that these two are among the Philippines highest also sends shivers down my spine.  It took me for a while to finally entertain the thought of doing a dayhike.  Mental and physical preparations must be put into consideration.  

So come Oct. 26, 2014, armed with the courage I mustered for  quite some time and the confidence gained from more than a year of hiking and running, I found myself along with Kuya June (guide) walking on a dirt road.  We will be doing a dayhike traversing Mt. Kintanglad and Mt. Dulang-Dulang. 

dirt road to the jump off

The walk on the dirt road towards the foot of the mountain served as a warm up.  By the time that we started the gradual ascend, my body has already adjusted.  The intense heat of the sun was not a challenge as the trail was covered with trees.  A number of still ladders were present at some parts of the trail.  Occasionally stopping to rehydrate and rest, we trekked on a consistent pace hoping to not finish late at night.  A sight of dwarf trees near the summit amazed me.  Fog started to envelope when we arrived at the summit after more than three hours of trekking, obscuring any view.  Nevertheless, I was still glad that I made it to the summit of the fourth highest mountain in the country. 

a beautiful site near Mt. Kintanglad summit

The traverse from Mt. Kitanglad to Mt. Dulang-Dulang I would say was the most challenging part of the climb.  The trail involved some steep descent and ascent which had me clinging to ropes and roots. Negotiating these parts mandate extra cautious, one wrong move and I’ll be in serious injury or even worse.  While it may be the most challenging, it was also the most beautiful part of the trail.  The mossy forest in its different density was just captivating.  I can’t count the times I stopped to snap photos.  There were times when all I can say is WOW.   

one of the steep ascents

Approaching towards the summit of Mt. Dulang-Dulang, the trail remains challenging.  More steep parts ensued which gave me a hard time.   I had to listen to my body and slow down a bit with my already slow pacing.  At some points I had to stop and stretch my tired and stiff legs.  I was on the verge of getting leg cramps.  Fortunately, before any leg cramps occurred I was already at the summit.  It was a big relief!  I can now take a little rest.  Unfortunately, there was no view of the Kitanlad wilderness in sight.  Thick fog prevented me from seeing the surrounding mountains.  Still, I was thankful and proud standing on the summit of the country’s second highest mountain.  Not many have the chance to do so.

mossy forest

The descent was smooth all the way passing through the mossy forest on the other side.  However I had a scary moment in the early part of the descent.  While inside the mossy forest, I heard a voice shouting “sir” at my back.  Yes, I was exhausted and all but I heard it loud and clear.  I had to run to my guide who was 15 to 20 meters ahead of me asking if he called me.  Hearing a no as answer scared me to death.  It was only the two of us in the trail and in Mt. Dulang-Dulang.  In fact, we only encountered one group of mountaineers and that was on our way up Mt. Kitanglad.

a ritual site at the summit of Mt. Dulang-Dulang

After two hours, we reached the foot of the mountain.  Perhaps, the creepy incident help us went down the mountain swiftly.  We rested for a while, before continuing our walk on a dirt road that leads us to a hi-way.  A habal-habal took us to the bus stop, 35 kilometers away and rode a jeepney to Malaybalay.   By seven in the evening I was back at my lodge.  It took 10 hours to complete the entire D2K dayhike traverse.  Twelve hours if travel time back to Malaybalay is included.

The entire journey was never easy.  I may not have a good clearing but still the experience was rewarding.  I hope to go back some other time and stay longer.    

at one of the campsites of Mt. Dulang-Dulang

Interested in climbing at Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Dulang-Dulang?  Visit this site http://www.mkrnp.org

just enchanting

Mt. Pulag

Finally it happened! I have climbed the so called playground of Gods and the country’s third highest mountain – Mt. Pulag.  This is after a couple of failed attempts late last year and early this year.  Well, it was worth the entire wait! The invitation came from my friend Adrian which I responded to with a yes instantly.  We were also joined by Rosalyn and Analene on this climb.  We invited other friends but are not available on the date of the climb.   The final participants were the four of us and we’re reunited once again (have climbed with the three in Mt. Rinajani).

Day 1 (Akiki jump-off to Saddle camp)

We arrived in Baguio City on board a Dagupan bus dawn of Aug. 15, 2014.  We wasted no time and went straight to a nearby eatery for a quick breakfast.  Right after eating, we then proceed to the transport terminal (Baguio Old Slaughterhouse).   It was agreed beforehand that we’ll completely rely on public transportation.  Hiring a jeepney or a van would be too expensive for four persons.    Upon getting to the terminal, we took a van plying Baguio-Kabayan route that left the terminal at around 7:30 am.  After one stop and about 3.5 hours of travel we arrived at the Akiki jump-off in Brgy. Duacan, Kabayan.   We were met by our guide Kuya Crispin and he ushered us to the Akiki Ranger Station where we did the registration.  We paid the climbing fees (registration, camping, and green fees) which totaled 230 pesos each.    There was a short briefing given to us on what to expect on the trail and the dos and don’ts during the entire climb.  At around 11:00 am, our trek commenced. 

at one of the stops

The initial part of the trail was easy until reaching the Eddet river.  We did not have a hard time negotiating it. In fact, we were pre-occupied with taking pictures here and there.  It took us 1.5 hours to get to the river.  We had our lunch at the resting station.  After an hour, our trek resumed.  There was a sudden change in weather.   It started to drizzle after we cross the bridge requiring us to wear our ponchos.  It was also at this point of the climb where the steep trail started and it has been steep all the way up to the grassland.   I was amazed by the Pine forest along the trail engulfed with mist making it more scenic that at one point I was expecting for some wolves to come out.  I also wondered how it looks like during sunny days.  We had several rest stops before arriving at Malboro country around 4:15 pm.  It was still drizzling and the temperature starting to drop.  We stayed for a while at the resting station and consumed some trail foods.

at the pine forest

The trek continued and we entered into the montane forest.  As we went deeper into the forest, the cold temperature started to bite as well as the weight of my backpack.  There was nothing much to see inside the forest as it was already dim.  By 5:30 pm, we reached the last water source.  We refilled our water bottles and rested for a while.  Conversations were limited and smiles hardly seen, a proof that we’re all tired.   After more than 2 hours we came out of the forest into a grassland.  It was a relief knowing we’re nearing the end of our trek.  The final hour however, was the hardest part simply because we’re all exhausted.   We had to endure the darkness, the drizzle, the strong wind, and the cold temperature while negotiating in a slow pace the steep part and rolling trail of the grassland.   After trekking for almost 8 hours, we reached the saddle camp with excitement.  Much to our surprise, the camping area and the bunkhouse were empty.   There were no other groups but us.   We opted to stay at the bunkhouse and it was a big relief to us.  Our exhausted bodies no longer need to pitch tents on a dark, cold, and rainy evening.    After changing into dry clothing, we prepared our dinner.  A mushroom soup, salted egg, and chicken-pork adobo filled our hungry stomach.  By 10 pm, we called it a night.  No socials, all just wanting to rest. 

Day 2 (Sunrise viewing, Exit via Tawangan)

We woke up at around 4am of day 2.  We need to be at the summit as early as possible in anticipation of the sunrise.   Mt. Pulag is famed because of its sunrise over a sea of clouds.  We left the bunkhouse several minutes after we had our breakfast.  The assault to the summit took around 30 minutes from the bunkhouse.  We made it all at the summit by 6 am. There were also other climbers (from camp 2) already at the summit eager to witness the sunrise.   However, it was a gloomy morning.  No sunrise.  No sea of clouds.  I was a bit sad.   I was expecting a good weather.  I was expecting to see what Mt. Pulag is famous of.  Others at the summit may not be vocal but I knew they share my feelings.    Minutes after, I came to realize and accept the fact that in mountaineering it’s not always a good weather but there’s always another chance.  I can always go back when it’s best season to climb Mt. Pulag.  After these realizations, I joined my group and we made the most out our Mt. Pulag experience.  To have successfully climbed the country’s third highest mountain is enough reason to be happy.  The mountain still offered a scenic view despite the poor weather condition.  The mountain itself with its mist-shrouded dwarf bamboos was still a sight to behold.

at the summit

with the dwarf bamboos

At 7 am, we stated our descent via the tawangan trail.  As we’re making our way down, it started to drizzle.   Our guide told us that it will be a long journey but no more assaults unlike the day before.  We entered the mossy forest at around 8am.  Some parts of it were so dense that it felt like we’re in another dimension.  Some parts of the trail were concealed by over grown shrubs and foliage proving how less-taken it is.   What really bothered us was the high population of blood leeches (limatik) in most parts of the trail.  The trail was heavily infested that we almost consumed a bottle of alcohol combating with them.  We’re all got bitten still. 

descent to Tawangan

limatik bite

We stopped by the third water station (a stream) to have our lunch.  Had it been a sunny day, I could have taken a dip.  However, it was raining and the water was so cold.   At around 1 pm, we continued our descent inside the seemingly endless forest.  The rain was getting harder while the fog engulfed the surroundings leaving a somewhat eerie feeling on me.  By 3pm, we came out of the forest and had our first glimpse of the village we’re heading to.   After 8.5 hrs. of trekking, finally we reached Tawangan village.  We had to stay overnight at the village because of bad weather. 

the mossy forest

Day 3 (The journey back to Manila)

We woke up early to catch the only bus bound for Baguio from Tinoc, Ifugao which usually leave 7:30 am.  From Tawangan, Benguet, it was an hour motorcycle (habal-habal) ride to Tinoc, Ifugao.   Upon arriving at Tinoc, unfortunately the bus was not roadworthy and can’t go on with the scheduled trip.  We looked for other options as we all need to go back to Manila.  However, vans plying Tinoc-Lagawe route were all reserved by other passengers.  The last option for us was to wait for trucks (from Tawangan) that deliver vegetables (to Nueva Vicaya).  Luckily, the driver of the habal-habal had a contact to a driver of one of the trucks.  However, we had to wait for almost six hours before the truck arrived.  Travel time from Tinoc, Ifugao to Bangbang, Nueva Viscaya was 5 hours with almost 80% of the way was on a rough road over a mountain.  The view was breathtaking and scary at the same time.  Sitting on sacks of carrots while on a long bumpy ride is very uncomfortable but we had to endure just to get home.   We reached Bangbang by 7pm and had our quick dinner at a fast-food before boarding a bus back to Manila. 

The whole experience while very tiring was worth it.   We may not have a good weather but still it was very rewarding.  Mt. Pulag (from Akiki to Tawangan) is still beautiful even in an awful weather.  Truly a must climb mountain.

the flora

just lovely