Mt. Apo
Davao del Sur and North Cotabato
Trail: Kapatagan - Kidapawan
Moving Time and Day(s): 14 Hours and 40 Minutes | 3 Days
February 25-27 2012
Proud and glad I conquered Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines. It’s a dream come true. I will share my grandest Mt. Apo experienced:
Day 0 | February 24, 2012, Friday
I made my check list before I pack my things. I ensured that I won’t forget anything before the climb. Failure to bring the most important things can cause uncomfortable climb. The last minute before leaving, I decided to either wear sandals or shoes. Since, I chose shoes; I should have to get one quickly. I bought trekking shoes but not the typical and common brand –“World Balance” and it cost only 950pesos (on sale). I doubt that it’ll last the entire climb but the shoes doesn’t disappointed me – “It won’t let you down”. It last! Woah!
Upon repacking and checking my stuff inside the airport, I left my cook set and stove, so I called Ma’am Khaye and kindly asked her to bring my stuff because they will leave Manila on the next day (25th). And thanks! She agreed and brought my things! We (Sir Pao, KC, Ma’am PJ, Sir Jun, Macel, Ella, Toper and I) left Manila at around 2015H. We arrived in Davao at 2150H. We headed straight to St. Camillus Dormitel while others (Ma’am Sasa, Sir Oliver and Sir Joel) were already there. The Dormitel was clean, quiet, with separate clean toilet for boys and girls, air-conditioned rooms and has cheap rates.
Day 1 | February 25, 2012 Saturday
We woke up at 0500H then took our last bath for 3 days expedition. The chartered van arrived at around 0600H with Sir Maj, Ma’am Khaye, Sir Monty, 2 guides - Sir Ran-ran and Sir Jeck of EDGE Outdoors and Sir Alex (also from EDGE, Porter). Although we were 14 hikers with bulky and huge backpack plus 3 big men from EDGE Outdoors, we fitted in an 18-seater van. It wasn't a wise decision having that ride rather than choosing a relaxed travel with a much spacious vehicle. Anyway, we safely reached our destination. At 0630H, we headed first to EDGE Outdoor Shop to drop unnecessary stuff for the climb.
We arrived in Digos City Public Market at 0820H then, we took our breakfast and bought meals for lunch. Then, we headed to Kapatagan, Digos City but before reaching it, we need to register at Information Center Sitio Baras, Kapatagan, Digos City. Entrance fee costs 720.00php for non-student and 432.00php for student, just present your school ID.
After 2 hours of bumpy ride, we arrived at Kapatagan, Digos City (Public Market).
We prepared, packed the group equipment and food in two backpacks. We provided
2 backpacks and 1 tent for porter and guide. We acquired two guides and two
porters.
We rode on 4x4 multi cab up to Mainit
Jump Off and experienced a bumpy, uneven terrain, big rocks and hell’s side
by side seesaw ride but the driver easily maneuvers the multi cab. It thinks it
was just a piece of Mt. Apo’s challenges and just the beginning.
We had lunch at Mainit Jump Off before we start trek. We did some warm ups and stretching. I’m the head of the group, sir Pao in the middle and Sir Maj as the sweeper.
START TREK at 1350H
From Mainit jump off with outstanding altitude of 1410+ MASL, we started our trek. We crossed farm lands and vegetable cultivated areas. Carrots, cabbage, potato, radish and other vegetables were planted on the area.
Sir Jubany or Bany is a 17 years porter/guide in Mt. Apo, a local from Kapatagan, who led us all the way up and down. He took us in a short cut going to Paradise – serves as first campsite. It was an easy trek from Mainit to Paradise..
We regroup and rest in Paradise. Mount Apo’s boulders and its peaks slightly showed up. We resumed our trek because we have to reach Baroring campsite before 1800H. Ahead of us was dense grass and narrow trail. It was getting colder when we entered the mossy forest. The mist almost touches the grounds and covered the entire forest knowing that we were at very high altitude.
Narrower trail and thicker mud were on our way but still manageable. We reached Upper Sabwang Campsite at 1700H with altitude of 2025+ MASL. After regrouping, we prepared our head lights for a possible night trek. After an easy hike we negotiated with a steep assault followed by steep descent on roots, and then reached the baroring water source. Hindi pa tapos. there is another up hill climb to reach the barroring campsite. We finally arrived at Barroring Campsite at exactly 1800H. The rain partially poured and we thought it’s just Mt. Apo’s way of having us welcomed and blessed.
We cooked our Sinigang na Baboy and
rice for dinner. That night was not very cold, reminisce of Mt. Makiling campsite
before melkas ridge. We slept after dinner while others did socials.
Day 2 | February
26, 2012, Sunday
0500H should be our wakeup call but we have enough time to ascent the summit. We cooked hotdogs and prepared salted eggs for breakfast. We left baroring campsite at 0900H. The trail is more challenging from the previous day of trek. There were roots, dead and obstructed trees, much thicker mud that need to pass by and sometimes crawling and holding on roots and trees is a must until we reached Godi-Godi Campsite. The problem I encountered with my shoes was there’s no traction on trees, roots and rocks.
It took only 45 minutes from Baroring Campite up to Godi-Godi Campsite. Godi-Godi Campsite is a spacious camp and more convenient to stay but there’s a lot of garbage within the area – I called it Godi-godi dumpsite.
We’re all keyed up to see the boulders, so we resumed our trek after regrouping. We did a sheer assault heading to boulders. Gaining higher elevation feels colder. We used face mask because of the harmful smell coming from sulfur vents every time the wind blew strong and went to our direction.
The scenario was more breathtaking
and real dormant volcano experienced. We used our own technique and strategy
while trekking in boulders. Be aware of trail signs and lose rocks.
We took our lunch near the
sulfur. After eating our burger steak meal, we continued trekking at
1300H. 70 minutes later (1410H), boulders trekking was done. We took a rest at
the Boulder’s E-Camp while waiting for the others.
70-80 degrees steep on our way up going to summit - Davao side highest peak. The highest peak is on Cotabato side. Upon reaching the crater, I’m amazed on the beauty of the crater. The crater is like a well-preserve landscape ( bermuda grass).
I’m on the top of Mt. Apo at exactly 1530H. It was a triumphant, cheerful and successful ascent on Philippines highest mountain point in Davao side (whatever, basta highest). Cheers! I congratulate each one of us! The feeling can’t be compared to any mountain experience but only joy in my heart as I scaled and conquered Mt. Apo.
10 minutes away from the summit is the campsite. 1 group from Manila was also there, they did a 4 days climb from Mt. Talomo (new trail,2 months old but lessen the trekking time) to Mt. Apo. That evening was a celebration night.
Day 3 | February 27, 2012, Monday
Wake up call should be 0400H for those who want to witness the sun rise in the Summit (Davao side) but the rain poured from midnight to 6 in the morning. So, we headed to another peak and embrace the morning cold breeze. Great view and sea of clouds was seen. A quick picture taking was made before we headed back to campsite. We geared up our backpack and ate our breakfast. We’re ready to descend but we need to step and stand on the real highest peak of the Philippines located at Kidapawan City, North Cotabato. Congratulations again to all UEM TEAM APO 2012.
We started our descent at 1015H. We reached Lake Venado at 1115H, led by sir Banie and Sir Alex. We took a rest and took our lunch.
We resumed our hysterical descent at exactly 1320H. It was completely mud and slippery descent. You have to climb down on 5-6 times 85-90 degrees stair for the entire Kidapawan trail. We reached Koong Campsite by 1430H. At 1510H, we decided to resume and regroup on the next campsite. Merely 1 hour after we arrived at crossing E-Camp. We decided to leave the e-camp, Sir Jeck led us down while sir Banie who led us the entire climb will wait for the next batch.
We were divided into 3 groups before the river crossing, the first batch we’re I, Ella, Topher, Sir Monty, Sir Jun, Ma’am khaye, Sir Joel and Sir Jeck.
The easiest trail is the river
trekking in Kidapawan. We trek beside the river and crossed on 6 Bamboo Bridge.
The final ascent going to jump off was
near (Brgy. Ilomavis, Kidapawan City) but before reaching it we registered
again for only 10pesos (Pulis daw). Continuing our trek, we crossed a natural
spring then finally the jump off. We headed straight to Jacuzzi Resort.
We arrived at 1810H then, took a rest and had an unwind bath on natural hot
spring while waiting for the others. The 2nd batch came with Sir Banie, Ma’am
PJ and Sir Oliver Ocinar for roughly more than 1 hour behind. The last batch
arrived by 2100H comprised of sir Pao, Casey, Sir Maj, Ma’am Sasa, Macel, Sir
Alex and Sir Ran-ran.
We came back in St. Camillus
Dormitel in Davao City at 0300H.
I thank all of you guys (Ma’am and
sir) for such great adventure experience with you all at Mt. Apo. It was
another unforgettable experience in my life. Congratulation UE Mountaineers
Team APO 2012.
“Another Mountain I
Conquered.
Another Peaks and Summit
I reached.
Only my Footprints and
Heart left in Mt. Apo.
Only pictures and wild
berries I’ve taken.
Only time I used to
embrace the opportunity to climb Mt. Apo.
Only those who have
determination, strength, confident,
Faith and believe in self will be blessed and
witness
the magnificent and superb Mt. Apo can offer.”
– Ken | Mount APO | FEB. 2012
Mt. APO Kapatagan
to Kidapawan Trail Itinerary
*Updated
Feb. 2012
Day 0
2150 ETA Davao International Airport
2210 ETA St. Camillus Dormitel (inside the compound of Government Hospital; near SSS)
Aircon Room: 180.00php/ head
Day 1
0630 ETD, Chartered van arranged by Edge Outdoors (sir Ran-ran, GUIDE)
Chartered 18 seater Van: 10000.00php
(Davao to Kapatagan Digos City and Kidapawan City to Davao City)
Guide fee: 1000 per day
Porter fee: 350 per day
0820 ETA Digos City Public Market | Poblacion
Breakfast | Market | Buy Packed Lunch
0905 ETD
1020 ETA Information Center Sition Baras, Kapatagan, Digos City
Registration: Non-Student: 720.00php
Student: 432.00php * bring school ID
1100 ETA Kapatagan Digos City | Public Market
1205 ETD | 4x4 Multi Cab : 100.00php / head
Or try habal-habal/ same price.
1305 ETA Mainit Jump off | 1410+ MASL | LUNCH
1350 Start Trek
1700 ETA Upper Sabwang Campsite | 2025 MASL
1800 ETA Baroring Campsite
Day 2
0900 Start Trek
0945 ETA Godi-Godi Campsite
1110 Lunch at Boulders
1300 Resume Trek
1410 ETA Boulders E-camp
1530 ETA Mt. Apo Summit | Davao side
1630 ETA Campsite (just 15minutes away from summit)
Day 3
1000 Summit | Highest Peak | Kidapawan Side
1015 Descent
1115 ETA Lake Venado | LUNCH
1320 Resume Descend
1430 ETA Koong Campsite | Regroup
1510 Resume trek
1610 ETA Crossing | E-Camp
1800 ETA Jump off | Brgy. Ilomavis, Kidapawan City
Jacuzzi Resort | 10.00php / head
2300 ETD
0300 ETA St. Camillus Dormitel | Davao City
Mt. APO Budget |
Expense
2500 Air fare Round trip | Cebu Pacific Promo|
Manila-Davao v.v
200 Airport
terminal fee
50 Taxi fare | Davao Airport – St. Camillus
Dormitel (200/4)
180 St. Camillus Dormitel | per head
65 Dinner
500 Grocery
715 Chartered
Van | 18 Seater | 10000/14 | Davao-Kapatagan Digos City; Kidapawan City – Davao
50 Breakfast
720 Registration
fee | Info Center Kapatagan Digos City | 432 student; 720 non
100 4x4
Multi Cab | Kapatagan Public Market – Mainit Jump off
50 Packed
Lunch
543 2
Guide & 2 Porter | Guide fee 1000/day | Porter Fee 350/ Day
500 Group
foods, Butane, etc.| per head
10 Pulis
fee Kidapawan
10 Jacuzzi
Resort fee | natural Hot spring
30 Foods
and Drinks
180 St. Camillus Dormitel
110 Dinner
40 Taxi fare | Dormitel – Davao Airport
200 Airport
terminal fee
6753.00 Total
of Mt. Apo Climb
+
610.00 Total of Samal Island Sidetrip
7363.00 TOTAL
(note: Air fare ticket has been bought 5 months before the climb which cost 2500.00
round trip promo)
