Mt. Dulang-dulang - Mt. Kitanglad traverse| D2K Traverse
Kitanglad Mountain Range – Bukidnon
Moving time and Day(s): 9 Hours and 59
minutes | 2 days
October 11-12 2013
Excited and thrilled as
we travel in the landlocked province of Northern part of Mindanao where two of
the highest peaks is located. Together with my friend Jay-R Saavedra and our
guide Sir Benjamin “BEN” Maputi scaled mount Dulang-dulang and mount Kitanglad
– both located in Kitanglad Mountain Range in Bukidnon.
|
Kalatungan moutain range |
We stayed at Sir Roger
Sawin-ay house for acclimatization and to have quality rest for our journey.
Sir Roger is a former champion on big running events (tnf, milo, etc.) and we
heard a lot of story from him.
|
with Sir Roger Sawin-ay |
Day 1 – Ascent to the
peak of Dulang-dulang
At 1225 meters above
sea level our journey started but before we proceed to our hike, a courtesy
call to Datu Malunay is a must – he is the tribal chief of Talaandig Tribe
which Mt. Dulang-dulang is their ancestral domain.
|
with Datu Malunay (left) |
We just started our
hike, suddenly a local walked toward us while speaking a local language that I
never understand. According to Sir Ben, the man was asking for some token
(lagay) but we resisted his request. Perhaps some mountaineers agreed and gave
some token which he is getting used to. I don’t like that kind of system not
only in Mt. Dulang-dulang but also in other mountains, as much as possible
please avoid that system.
On the wide and open
trail, Kalatungan mountain range can be seen far from behind while in front of
us was the cloud-shrouded summit of D2 which is expected to be wet and cold
trek. The entire ascent to the summit of D2 is gradually ascending and the
trail is wide and manageable enough.
After gaining several
hundred meters (2000+MASL), the forest was unsurprisingly beautiful and more
stunning particularly when we reached the dense forest full of moss. Definitely, the thickest mossy
forest I ever saw and one of the coldest hikes I ever experienced. It was all
green and moss all over the place and I can’t stop wondering on enchanted
forest surrounds us.
|
mossy forest of Mt. Dulang-dulang |
There are campsites at
the summit and before reaching the summit which is covered by trees and wide
enough to accommodate big groups but has no potable water source. Appropriate
clothing and equipment for very cold temperature are highly advised.
|
Mt. Dulang-dulang summit |
Day 2 – Traverse to the
peak of Kitanglad and the final descent
Sometimes clouds aren't giving any view but for me reaching the peak are the most important thing and
those beautiful views are just comfort and relief for tired body.
The descent from the
peak was very exciting for me. It took us 30 minutes full of steep descent over
the roots, loose soil and slippery rock. After the sheer descent, the trail
becomes easy and gradually rolling.
There are 4 established emergency campsites
across the ridge trail. Hikers are advised to have a full rest on the last
campsite called eagle’s point before the final push to the summit of Kitanglad.
|
Eagle's point campsite |
Absolutely steep and exhausting part but it is last ascent for the entire D2K traverse.
Winds was hammering so fast and strong as we reached the summit of Kitanglad. Bunker
and satellites stations were built at the summit. No time has been wasted
despite the strong winds.
|
Mt. Kitanglad summit |
The trail from the summit going down to Sitio Intavas
is relatively easy, very established and wide. Safety railings and steel
ladders were built along the trail which is a project of Sir Ben. The trail of Kitanglad
is akin to mount Amuyao in Mountain Province – electric posts, ladders,
bunkers.
I enjoyed the beautiful
things I saw along the trail and some views on our final descent despite the
bad weather and no view at the summits. It was a successful and another
remarkable climb.
Day 0
0730 ETA
Laguindingan Airport (CDO)
Head
to Agora terminal (van 199php)
0830 ETA
Agora terminal
Take
bus bound for Davao City
0945 Depart
for Malaybalay City (Bus 145php)
1230 ETA
Malaybalay City | Buy supplies | Lunch
Meet our guide and get our
permit (170 each)
Head to bus terminal (Trike
8php)
1430 Depart
for Lantapan (Jeep 45php)
1630 ETA
Sitio Bulogan, Brgy. Songco, Lantapan
(jump off 1225MASL)
Head
to Sir Roger Sawin-ay house | Sleep there (100php each)
Day 1 | 3 Hours and 26 Minutes
0915 Head
to Datu Malunay’s house
0925 ETA
Datu Malunay | Present permit & pay fee
0940 Start
trek | Rough road
1035 ETA
[Crossing/ Trail Head/ Forest] 1755 MASL
Rest
1050 Resume
trek
1126 @
1935 MASL | rest
1135 Resume
1203 ETA
Galanib River and campsite | 2070 MASL
Lunch
1300 Resume
trek
1454 ETA
Mossy forest campsite | rest then head to grotto
1510 ETA
Grotto | offer coins
1525 ETA
trail head to water source
1555 ETA
Campsite near Summit
1557 Mt.
Dulang-dulang Summit | 2932 MASL
Day 2 | 6 Hourse and 53 minutes
0757 Head
to summit | Photo ops
0826 Start
trek, traverse
0851 2-3
meters rock wall
0954 ETA
e-camp (1) | 2480 MASL
1055 ETA
View deck | 2480 MASL
1110 Resume
trek
1130 ETA
e-camp (4) | 2420
Rest
and prepare for final assault
1140 Resume
trek
1315 ETA
Mt. Kitanglad summit | tower | 2899 MASL
1345 Start
descent
1515 Rest
at 2250 MASL
1600 Resume
1710 ETA
Base camp | trail head
Take
habal-habal
1738 ETA
Brgy. Intavas | 1245 MASL
Head
to highway
1830 Back
to Malaybalay
2200 Back
to CDO – Agora bus terminal
We headed straight to Iligan City and
visited 4 waterfalls and hike Mt. Agad-agad.