Showing posts with label Kitanglad Mountain Range. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kitanglad Mountain Range. Show all posts

Friday, January 31, 2014

MOUNT KITANGLAD CLIMB

Location: Between Malaybalay City and the municipalities of Lantapan, Impasug-ong, Sumilao and Libona
Major Jump-off: Sitio Intavas, La Fortuna, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon
Exit Point: Traversed to Mount Dulang-Dulang
Coordinates: 808’2”N; 124047’0”E
Elevation: 2,899 MASL (9,521 feet)
Days Required/Hours to Summit: 2 days/6-7 hours (Ideal)
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail class 2-4
Description: It is the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines and an inactive volcano located in the Kitanglad Mountain Range.
Blogger’s Note: This climb is actually a part of Mount Kitanglad – Dulang-Dulang Traverse Climb. The itinerary presented here is an ideal non-traverse climb and not necessarily what the blogger did.


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A panoramic view of Kitanglad Mountain Range


The habal-habal ride from Intavas crossing at La Fortuna was quite breathtaking as I see the full view of Kitanglad Mountain Range. My guide has pointed for me where in this part of the mountain range Mount Kitanglad and Mount Dulang-Dulang were located. We passed through typical rural houses with garden of vegetables and fruit trees. The long road where we took was not cemented but it was not dusty unless a vehicle pass through us.

The mountain derived its name from a legend where according to the tales told, there was once a great flood that submerged the land the native settlers and what remained to be visible (“Kita” in Tagalog) then was the tip of the mountain as small as the size of the “tanglad” (a lemon grass). By then, the place was called Ki’tanglad where it is now considered to be the domain of several old cultural communities like the Bukidnon, Higaonon and Talaandig.

The Intavas crossing in La Fortuna where habal-habal can be hired to the jump-off point


This climb was the second time that I was alone like that of Mount Apo where I only hired one guide in the name of Nimrod Solis and two porters (Mcdong and Asher “Gasiong” Lumayag) along with a student nurse (Shiera Mae Luces) where I paid for all their expenses ranging from food provision and transportation not to mention the guiding and porter’s fee.

With me in the picture is Shiera Mae Luces


With me is one of the tribesmen while heading for Sitio Intavas


The rich green plantation of vegetables


The province of Bukidnon is just one of the fertile land in Mindanao as it is blessed to have a favorable weather and so farmers can easily grow vegetables in their farms.

One of the steel staircase in steep trails


We started the trek from Sitio Intavas at 8:15 A.M. in a wide road running through rice fields and vegetable paddies and arrived in the foot of the mountain at 9:55 A.M. Our group stayed there for a long time cooking a lot of food

Uprooted huge trees along the trail downed by previous typhoons


From the foot of the mountain, we resumed our trekking at 1:00 P.M. I noticed that some of the trails were well-established with steel staircase which according to my guide were intended for the employees who work in the communication facilities at the summit. These steel stairs were a big help in ascending the very steep trails. We were trailing with a densely refreshing forested area and met some climbers who are on their way of descending the mountain. We have to work through big roots of the trees and some big trees were even uprooted due to typhoons that hit the area.

Resting over an uprooted tree after a series of cardiac assaults


Trekking was not only difficult due to a number of cardiac assaults but what made it more difficult that I have to jump, climb and walk over huge logs and in some cases the trail is not traceable because of the logs that covered it.

The photo shows my swollen right foot worn with sandal and the other one with shoes


Trekking with swollen right foot was an agony most particularly that it was not only muddy but you have to walk over with wet trail of muddy pond-like holes and your feet are dipped in the muddy cold water. You are trekking producing a squelching sound of shoes filled with water.

Most of the trails were muddy and steep. But I was amazed to see the aerial roots and some mountains along high cliffs. I became weak then and my numbed feet can hardly move that all my companions left me trekking in the darkness of the night.

Freezing inside an abandoned soldiers' quarter at the summit


I reached the summit at around 8:00 P.M. freezing in coldness. I was disappointed that because of this night trek, I was not able to see the many mountains and places in the Northern and Central Mindanao like the Balatucan mountains, Mount Ragang and the other peaks of the Kitanglad range not to mention Mount Dulang-Dulang. At the summit, our group occupied an abandoned soldiers’ quarters for an overnight since the summit was erected with around seven communication towers.

The following day, we trekked down to the other side to have a traverse to Mount Dulang-Dulang (see the the blog on MOunt Dulang-Dulang Climb).

Communication facilities at the summit of Mount Kitanglad


Early morning at the summit


Other communication towers at the summit


ITINERARY (Recommended from www.pinoymountaineer.com)

Intavas Traip

Day 1
04:00 Depart from CDO to Impasug-ong
08:00 ETA jump-off at Sitio Intavas. Register and start trek.
12:00 ETA “Aerial Roots” area; lunch along the trail
03:30 ETA summit
18:00 Prepare for next day’s climb, dinner
19:00 Attend ritual sacrifice by the Talaandig tribesfolk (Our group did not do this)
21:00 Rest Over Night (RON)

Day 2
06:00 Mountain-viewing session; Mount Ragang, Mt. Balatucan, D2, etc.
07:00 Breakfast, break camp
08:00 Start descent via Intavas trail, muddy and steep
11:00 Reach “Aerial roots”: roots suspended in air
13:00 ETA rough road
14:00 ETA jump-off point at Sitio Intavas
15:00 Take jeepney back to Malaybalay or CDO
18:00 ETA CDO
Note: Our group had a different itinerary since ours was a Kitanglad-Dulang2 Traverse Climb.

The scenic communication towers scraping the rich blue skies


SPECIAL CONCERNS

To avoid a freezing temperature at the summit, you may reserve in advance the DENR – Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park at (088) 813 3453 to reserve for bunk-bed at the summit. Because of the chilling temperature, two persons can warmly fit in one bunkbed. Since the summit is a communication center, there is electricity where you can even watch TV and enjoy a mobile network signal throughout the climb.

Watch your step as you ascend up to the summit since the electric wires run parallel to your trail which might pose a potential risk since they are high-voltage lines. This may also apply with the erected communication towers at the summit which might also be potentially hazardous.

Descending through the 90-degree vertical trail heading to Mount Dulang-Dulang


The mossy and densely forested trail heading towards a Mount Dulang-Dulang traverse


HOW TO GET THERE Take an airplane from Manila via Cagayan De Oro City. Take an airconditioned Rural Trans bus in CDO Integrated Bus Terminal going to Valencia for 3 – 4 hours for P180. Take another bus from Valencia to Intavas Crossing at La Fortuna for 1 hour and 10 minutes for P65. Take habal-habal from Intavas Crossing to Sitio Intavas for 30 minutes for P60 per head or P120 for one habal-habal with 2 maximum riders. GUIDE'S CONTACT NUMBER

Nimrod Solis - +639267977522

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

MOUNT PULAG CLIMB







My fourth major climb under PNB Mountaineering Club was Mt. Pulag on November 27 to 29, 1999. Mt. Pulag is the third highest mountain in the Philippines which is being dubbed as the “roof of Luzon” is 2,930 meters or 9,610 feet. The first two highest mountains are in Mindanao wihich are both inactive volcanoes with Mount Apo in Davao as the highest mountain at 2,954 meters or 9,692 feet and followed by Mount Dulang-Dulang at 2,938 meters or 9,637 feet located in Kitanglad Mountain Range. Mount Pulag is not in itself a volcano. This majestic mountain has been part of the folklore of the various mountain tribes for generations. It’s believed to be the home of forest spirits who protect the tribes and assure bountiful harvests. For me, climbing this mountain is a feast for my senses. The slopes are covered with pine trees and grassy meadows. The soft tuffs of grass that cover the trail cushion every step to the summit. The air was crisp and gentle blows over the mountain as we ascended towards the summit that gave us a very refreshing atmosphere and the spectacular summit panorama. The mist was all around me and for one moment then, I knew what it felt like to walk in the clouds. Although, our climb was gradual, the altitude, distance and cold weather as well as occassional downpour made our trek slightly difficult. Thus, we made rhythmical squelching sounds.
The said climb has 54 participants which consist of 43 members, 2 initiates and 9 guests. The members were: (1) Rolly Villanueva – expidition leader; (2) Jose Enrique “Ike” S. Abad of PNB IT Group; (3) Ricardo “Ricky” N. Eslao of PNB IT Group; (4) Norberto “Abat” Miranda Jr.; (5) Antonio “Tony” M. Alcaraz of PNB IT Group; (6) Sandy A. Alhambra of PNB Trust Division; (7) Elmer C. Daus of PNB Office of SVP Ma. Cristina G. Munoz; (8) Romeo “Jun” B. Galang, Jr. of PNB IT Group; (9) Janet I. Lazarte of PNB GSD Accounting; (10) Manuel “Manny” I. Llesol of PNB PAIRD; (11) Edmundo “Edu” C. Llondres of PNB SAAD; (12) Norman G. Mosuela of PNB IT Group; (13) Jessica “Je” M. Parina of PNB Corporate Affairs Office; (14) Severo “Roy” Y. Pison IV of PNB Economics & Research Division; (15) Sandra S. Reyes of PNB Trust Division; (16) Benito “Benet” L. Sakdalan of PNB Corporate Affairs Office; (17) Marigrace “Grace” E. Serafica of PNB ATM Division; (18) Alberto “Abet” M. Zapanta of PNB Reengineering Division; (19) Johanna “Hannah” C. Acuna of Allied Bank –Head Office; (20) Ma. Noemi O. Amador-Capunitan of Allied Bank – Head Office; (21) Maricris “Chris” B. Ballon of Allied Bank Divisoria Branch; (22) Raymund “Mon” S. Crisol of Allied Bank – Aguirre Branch; (23) Ma. Jeannie I Mendoza of Allied Bank – Monumento Branch; (24) Juanito “Jun” C. Banela of CIBI’ (25) Victor C. Victorino of CIBI; (26) Laudimer “Omel” Arandia of Peoples Insurance; (27) Alona C. Beliganio of Belkin Management Consultancy Philippines, Inc.; (28) Alan A. Valenzuela of Peoples Insurance; (29) Genevic “Gene” B. Baria of Angelus; (30) Erwin C. de la Cruz of Angelus; (31) Nenita “Nenet” A. Caringal of SM Lazo Medical Center; (32) Omega “Megs” P. Olano of SM Lazo Medical Center; (33) Joselito “Lito” D. Perinion of SM Lazo Medical Center; (34) Andrew M. Bay of CITEM; (35) Jose Martin F. Duyala of CITEM; (36) Brenda B. Bernabe of Aztec Philippines Corporation; (37) Mary Jane “Jing” V. Gumba of the Bank of Commerce – Head Office; (38) Fortunato “Bong” C. Rosales of Pardee Computer; (39) Ma. Menchu B. Segovia; (40) Elino “Jun” Q. Sorquia; (41) Ma. Consuelo “Connie” I. Vasquez of Alsons Cement Corporation; (42) Wilma S. Mosuela of PNB IT Group; and (43) myself.

There were only 2 initiates, namely: (1) Arthur “Art” S. Tagle of PNB IT Group and (2) Marco Rei Antonio “Marco” W. del Mundo of CITEM. The 9 guests were: (1) Marilyn M. Santiago of PNB IBS Group and an Ayala Mountaineer and (2) his boyfriend, John “Totit” R. Jaromahum; (3) Katerina “Kat-kat” S. Claraval of CITEM; (4) Mark Victor V. Sales of CITEM; (5) Arnold B. Enciso of CIBI; (6) Phillip M. Diaz of Allied Bank – Head Office; (7) James L. Bulanon – brother of Menchu B. Segovia; (8) Glenn Carlos A. de Guzman – my guest; and (9) Renee “Dee” R. Molina of Allied Bank – Head Office.

Baguio City was a part of this trip as our chartered bus was only up to this place. We boarded three jeepneys from Ambangeg in a 10-kilometer steep track for almost four hours going to Babadak Rangers Station in which we travelled through a very rough and muddy road which lasted for more than six hours or from 5:20 to 11:55 A.M. The trek from the jumpoff point started at almost 1:00 P.M. despite the heavy downpour, freezing temperature and strong winds. The following day of November 28 was very rewarding as we had ample time to photograph the beautiful scenery within the vicinity of The Plateau and Myra’s Peak and socials followed until 3:00 P.M. We had our summit assault at almost 4:00 P.M. and induction of initiates followed. Back in our campsite at around 5:30 P.M., the view was fantastic --- the sky looked like God’s palette, as He was about to finish painting the day into night.

We had a disastrous night because a heavy downpour coupled with very strong winds leveled down some of our tents but not ours in the group of Roy Pison and Jun Galang. Some were soaked in water as the whole camp was flooded. The following day, as we descended to Babadak Rangers Station for Baguio City, I felt an incredible sense of nostalgia as I was completely leaving the majestic mountain.