"He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature." - Socrates
Hi Hiveans Family, Buddies and Friends.
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This time around we will be heading to the King of the mountains in the Philippines, none other than Mount Apo.
The first settlers of the land (Indigenous People) call the king of the mountain as Apo Sandawa. Apo Sandawa is one of the iconic leaders and wise men of the land.
"Trivia"
Do you know that Mount Apo is a dormant (inactive) stratovolcano. It's is one of the massive solfataric sleeping volcanoes in the Philippine, Archipelago.
Mount Apo is a towering mountain around 9,692 feet or 2,954 meters above sea level (MASL) when it comes to its elevation making it the supreme mountain of the Philippines.
Mount Apo is located in south central of Mindanao making it as the beating heart of the island. Its closes city is around 32 kilometers (20 miles) which is davao city.
Mount Apo is known as a national park and its protected by the Philippine Law. Mount Apo is home of rich biodiversity and it is also the natural habitat 270 bird species and one of that is the mighty Philippine Eagle.
Welcome back!! Let us continue our journey to climbing the highest summit of the Philippines.
Mount Apo has three established entry point, they are Digos, Kidapawan, and Sta Cruz. Sta. Cruz trail will be the entry point heading to boulders while the kidapawan and digos entry point will be filled with lush green forest but will be trekking longer days. A secret trail is also known only to few and that trail is the "New Israel" but this trail is not for weekend climbers but well experienced trekkers and mountaineers as it post several perilous trails on it.
If you are planning to climb the King of the Mountain. One must be physically fit for the reason you will be ascending the highest peak of the country and elevation sickness literally strike like hell.
Aside from preparing you physical ability to climb, one must also consider its gears and equipment in climbing the supreme mountain as it post several threats such as freezing temperature that will drop 0-5 degrees Celsius particularly when you are camping in the summit.
Aside from preparing your physical body and equipments, every climbers must also prepare significant amount to gain access of the said mountain. One must process their permits ahead of time to avoid conflict. The permits will serve as your passess and registration to the local government and also to the nearby army camp who are safeguarding the national park.
And the last thing a climber must secure aside from the above mentioned is a local guide. Mount Apo is a vast park and many hikers and climbers have been lost and rescued because they failed to bring a guide with them. Taking a wrong turn or trail will be a disastrous moment as you explore the supreme mountain.
From the entry point of Baruring up to the lower colan will take us around 20 minutes if past pace but max of 30 if slow pace. In the lower colan you will pass by a army camp where you will logging in you details as a guest climbing the sacred mountain.
From the from the lower colon, we will be hiking up to the second colon and the upper colon is a dense and wet rain forest. As you continuously ascend the clouds are building up and rain will gradually pour down.
It is a must to secure all your stuff in a waterproof container. Even if it's late in the morning the sun will be covered by thick clouds and leaves in the rainforest. Normally it will take you around 3 hours if fast pace and 4 hours to arrive the tinikaran camp 1.
Tinikaran is the ideal lunch place as it offers a beautiful scenery of the of the lower colon. Tinikaran camp 1 is already around 2,100 meters above sea level.
As soon as lunch is over we continued to ascend to Tinikaran camp 2. As you ascending from Tinikaran camp 2 is where the elevation sickness kick off. The dizzy feeling slowly spike in particular as you head out the dense forest and encounter a peculiar scent from the sulphur steams is a sign we are close by the boulders.
Its was really difficult as early afternoon heavy rain started bashing us out. And the boulders area is a long stretch up of steep slope which is commonly called as 87 degrees. But as erosion is common in Mount Apo the 87 degree steep slope have degraded and only few steep parts are existing. After reaching the last steep part you will be welcomed by the mount apo crater.
From the crater there are three major peaks you can visit and enjoy the view with. Unfortunately we weren't able to enjoy the view because thick clouds and blazing winds are smashing us back and forth and we need to head to the nearest camp site to take shelter andd pitch out tents. It was really difficult pitching a tent during heavy rainfall and strong wind. One of the many dilemma each climbers has to face whenever they climb mountains.
As late after feels like evening the freezing temperatures started to poking in. And we need to rush pitching our tents before we get caught by hypothermia.
We were able pitch our tent and take refuge inside it. We were all wet and freezing and fleece jacket really help along with thermal pants, sock, gloves, and bonnet.
The rain continue showering us until last hour of dawn. We were welcome by thick clouds passing through outside our tent.
We went out to see the morning sun. We scattered around from peak 1 to peak 3 (there are seven peaks in Mount Apo only three stood highest among seven). Waiting for the sun to play with us.
We were blessed with a great clearing compare to others (particularly during rainy season June to January).
The morning sunrise is one of the most breath taking moment of our lives on top of the king of the mountains. And it really was amazing and really jaw dropping experience.
After jumping from one peak to another we head back to our campsite took a quick breakfast, secure our pack lunch. Started pitching out our tents. And ready to roll out.
Descending is easy but it needs extra careful particularly if your exit point is tee boulders. And boulders have a lot of lose soil and rocks. Extra careful is extremely advice.
As we reach the upper colon. I would highly suggest to take a brief side trip heading to the mundo apo hot spring. It is the best way to relax your aching muscles and body.
If you are in a hurry back to modern civilization I would suggest to be early in baruring area (entry point of Sta Cruz) to avail the remaining vehicle heading back to the main poblacion of Sta Cruz. Its not advisable to descending late as public vehicles are not that many and accessible.
I hope you enjoy reviewing and reading this post. I hope it gives you a glimpse of experience the highest peak of the Philippines.
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Once again thank you and have a wonderful day/evening. Take care always. Bless you.
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