Mt. Apo's view at Lake Venado Campsite

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The Philippines' Highest Peak

Mt. Apo is a solfataric, basaltic to basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano located at the southern central part of Mindanao. Rising to 3,143.6 meters above sea level, it's part of the Central Mindanao Arc. Although, it has no known historic eruptions, it's still considered active and/or potentially active.

This mountain is considered a sacred place in local mythology and is also home for the rarest kinds of plants and animals in the country; thus, this mountain was established a National Park in 1936 that has an area of 54,974.87 hectares. The Park falls under the jurisdiction of two (2) regions, namely: Davao City, Bansalan, Digos and Sta. Cruz, located at the Province of Davao del Sur in Region XI and Makilala, Magpet, and Kidapawan City found at the Province of North Cotabato in Region XII.

Its name Apo means "ancestor" or "grandfather" which lives up to its reputation, the Grandfather of all Philippine Mountains.

Accesibility

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There are five (5) known entry points to the park. These trails were officially opened and co-managed by concerned LGUs in accordance with Protected Area Management Board Resolutions and the Municipalities respective mountaineering and trekking guidelines as adopted by PAMB:

Region XI:

1. Via Sibulan - Tudaya Trail , Sta. Cruz , Davao del Sur;
2. Via Kapatagan Trail, Digos City;

Region XII:

1. Via Kidapawan – Ilomavis, Kidapawan City;
2. Via New Israel – Makalangit, Makilala, North Cotabato;
3. Via Bongolanon Trail, Magpet, North Cotabato

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Planning the unplanned

After the Parokya Ni Basti's Mt. Talinis Climb at Negros Oriental on January 2017, I wasn't able to join them in their following climbs. I missed a lot of things. Love even already bloomed from the climbs between unexpected people and I wasn't aware. I really wanted to join the crew but there were complications as I already mentioned in my previous post: Assault to the Philippines' Highest.

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Every hiker's dream is to climb the tallest mountain. (We kinda love the challenge.) We all know it's the Everest but climbing the highest mountain in the country is a step closer to that dream.

My friends paid my registration fee for the Mt. Apo Climb to persuade me to join them. I was still hesitant but when my thesis partner and I had a bump in our paper and won't be able to march the stage on August, I changed my mind and decided to go. I thought I needed a break from the pressure of graduating and do what I enjoy the most even for a while. I had a month to prepare, it was game on!

Round trip ticket for $35

We often hear the proverb, "If there's a will, there's a way."

I really wanted to push through that climb. After checking the rates at Cebu Pacific, I learned that I needed to raise at least Php 3,500 for the air fare while Php 10,000 for my travel expenses. Since, I got no classes anymore, I did lots of raket (part-time jobs) to earn it. I worked as a marshall for an event, helped a friend who owns a canteen as a dishwasher who unexpectedly paid me and continued writing in steemit for payouts. I also saved up my living expenses and budgeted my meal allowance.

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When I booked my flight for the second time, I was so darn lucky to get tickets on sale for July worth Php 1,813.00 only, roundtrip! My only goal left was to save for my travel expenses. However, within the month, I was just able to raise more or less Php 5,000. I knew it's insufficient.

But I went anyway!

Mt. Apo Traverse

Meet and greet

I flew to Davao City on July 26. I waited for my friends at the airport. When we saw each other again after four months, we were totally euphoric.

![)
Ate Gail and I greeting each other while Ate Marese was behind the camera

The climb was scheduled on July 28-30, 2017. We stayed at the Our Lady of Carmelite Dormitel for the night and traveled to Kidapawan City, the following day. We were a bit worried because it was raining in the city. We sure prayed for a good weather up there.

First dinner in Davao

The group took the Mandarangan Trail, with the entry point at Illomavis, Kidapawan City and exit at Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. We rented vans for our travel from Davao to Kidapawan.

Left: My van mates; Right: Lunch along the way to Kidapawan

Day 0

The first group stayed the night at Agco Mahomanoy Mountain Resort to start an early trek the following morning. However, we were able to leave later than expected because we had to wait for the last van who ran late, a team of mostly geologists who works for the DENR - Davao.

An orientation before the climb was done first

Day 1

A mandatory group picture before the climb

The trail was totally awesome. It passed by a chayote plantation where locals gladly shared a little with our guides which was later cooked for dinner. The trees were just enormous, the various flowers were really beautiful, and the forest was really taken care of. I was, again, the group's photographer so I really appreciated everything through my lenses. So it's really a shame when forest fires happen in these lovely, pristine greeneries.

Shooting an instagram worthy random shot

I hadn't done my training religiously but I was able to keep up with the guides. Our first stop was the Mati-ao Rest Area where we had our lunch, pastil.

First one to arrive gets the most time to rest

Upon arriving at Lake Venado campsite where we pitched our tents, the view was totally amazing. You could clearly see the majestic Apo which looked the same in all angles; however if the surroundings become really noisy, the fog comes down and envelops the mountain. That's what the locals believed. I was really blessed to have taken an amazing photo with the summit as background.

View of the peak

The marker that says Lake Venado Campsite is right ahead.

The more people came, the noisier it got, the thicker the fog became.

Best guides ever

I was assigned for the dinner so as soon as I settled, I prepared the meal but to my surprise, the guides asked me to stay put and to just tell them what dish should be cooked because they will do the cooking.

Kuya Arnel saying, "Dito sa Apo, ma'am, ipagluluto ka namin. Dito lang yan." (Here in Apo, we'll cook for you. Only the guides here do that.)

Everyone was so tired that it was only me who stayed and drank with the guides. They cooked balut which I rarely eat but it was so delicious especially when served hot in the cold climate of the mountains. They branded me as one of them and said I could pass as a guide for Apo. Later, sir Rhodel woke up and joined us.

Team Balut

My roomie

Everybody shared their tents and my room mate for the 3-day-2-night hike was Ms. Laarni Luching. She was one of our mentors in my internship in Greenstone Resources Corporation and I was really afraid of her. We became close during our climb in Mt. Talinis and we became best of friends during the Apo Climb. Now, she's my financial advisor.

Me trying to take a good selfie with Ms. Luching using a DSLR camera

Day 2

The next day, we had some picture-taking before climbing the summit. We were welcomed with fog and no clearing.

Yours truly at the infamous Mt. Apo reflection in Lake Venado

Last pose before start trek

Trekking towards the summit was really dangerous. The fog thickened and we weren't able to see the guide in front and the group at the back. We really had to be careful not to get lost.

Reaching the summit first has its perks

Group photo on one of the Apo's summits

Descending the summit to the boulder face was tough not only because it was steep but also because of the view. Half of the mountain was burnt. There were still remnants of the fire. It was really heart-breaking. We also lost our guide to the front. Ate Je (Mi Jera) was with me so I checked the trail first before advising her to move.

Burnt plants at the summit

A window of clearing for a quick photo of Mt. Apo's crater

Where the rocks meet the sky

What smelled like rotten eggs

Some of us had difficulty descending the boulder face. I didn't even realize I tore my pants stretching my legs to reach the next boulder. But aside from the fact that the rocks were huge and weren't easy to climb up or climb down especially with a pair of short legs that I have, the sulfur steam also vents up. If I'm not mistaken, I was blown up with stinky sulfur steam three times going down.

Mr. Rhodel carrying Basti down the boulder face of Mt. Apo

The tents were given to some of the porters in order to secure the area at the camp since the group was moving slowly. I remembered that we were supposed to camp at Tinikaran Camp 1 just below the boulder face (I might be mistaken) but changed our plans because the water source wasn't exactly clean that time at the area and it won't accomodate our group. The porters weren't there as well so we moved to the next camp. It was getting dark when we arrived. Others showed up at the camp simultaneously. We later had dinner and socials and everyone was present this time.

Day 3

It was time to go down. We kept thanking Apo for the great weather. It was a long and hot walk down but I enjoyed every bit.

Last groupie at Tinikaran Camp 1

We washed and bathe at Sitio Colan and that's when I ran out of money. Ms. Laarni lend me the amount to pay for the guides. I promised her that I'll pay when we come back to the city but she said it was on her. I almost cried.

Then, I really did. I was assigned to collect the payment from each but I wasn't the one who computed how much each of us will pay and the total amount was deficient. Some were already getting mad when I asked them for the additional payment and I felt like it was my fault. Anyways, I was such a crybaby!

The unexpected happened

From Sitio Colan we had to come down to the roadside to ride the habal-habal (extended motorcycle) to where our vans were waiting. Because the rough road was carved by the heavy rain, Ate Jen was burnt by the exhaust pipe of the motorcycle. We were really shocked but looking at the brighter side, we were thankful that the accident happened below and not during the climb proper. Other than that, every one was safe.

It started raining when we got back to Davao City. We were really blessed with a great weather!

My money problems

We still planned to go to Lake Holon in South Cotabato but I cancelled because I was penniless. When I was supposed to leave the group, sir Jesse paid for my rent at the Carmelite Dormitel so I could stay with them for the last time before they all leave the following day.

Looking at the pictures of the climb on my last night with everybody

When I was supposed to leave again the following day, ate Je and sir Rhodel insisted I come with them to Padada to go visit my instant Ninong(godfather) Denver saying they would pay for my bus fare. I was really so guillible.

Turkey lechon, served hot

After the long delay, my good friend, Edwin Togon who's a Mapúan once, finally adopted me for my remaining days in Davao City. I met him in Mapúa Institute of Technology Mountaineering Club and transferred back to Davao after a few years in Manila. I withdrew my remaining steemit payouts for my expenses on my way back to Manila.

Lesson:

"In times of need, you find out who your true friends are."

I learned that in travelling, even if you have no money but you have friends, you'll definitely survive so everyone be good to people. They might be able to save you one day.

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Photo credits: Jen, Marese, Oyos, Nestor, Arnel, and Mi Jera

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Peak 16: Mt. Talinis | Peak 15: Mt. Ulap | Peak 14: Mt. Lumot | Peak 13: Mt. Tibig | Peak 12: Kibungan Circuit | Peak 11: Cinco Picos | Peak 10: Mt. Makiling | Peak 9: Mt. Kalugong | Peak 8: Mt. Romelo | Peak 7: Mt. Batulao | Peak 6: Mt. Manabu | Peak 5: Mt. Daguldol | Peak 4: Mt. Tapulao | Peak 3: Mt. Maculot | Peak 2: Pico De Loro | Peak 1: Mt. Pulag | Peak 0: Mt. Taal | Little Climber