MOUNT AMFUNGOTNGOR CLIMB: THE THIRD OF MALIGCONG PENTACLIMB SERIES

Location:  Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines
Jump-off Point:  Sitio Favuyan, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province
Alternate Jump-off Point: Sitio Fang-orao, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province
Exit point: Sitio Fang-orao, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province (Hexa climb traverse)
Alternate exit point:  Sitio Favuyan, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province (Backtrail)
Elevation: Approximately 1,775 MASL (5,823 feet)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day/ 3 hours (via Mounts Angtungfao, Kupapey & Chumanegcheg)
Specs: Major Climb, 4/9, Trail Class 1

Features:  It is the highest peak of all the mountains in Maligcong.  It passes 6 major assaults (2 before Mount Angtungfao, 1 before Mount Kupapey, one leading to Mount Chumanegcheg summit and 2 leading to its summit.  The trail offers magnificent pine forest and it has established trail till Mount Kupapey. The trail connecting from Mount Chumanegcheg is a long trek and the trail is no longer established.   It has a long and expansive summit grown with a mossy forest. From its Maligcong side are deep ravines.  It has highly varied flora species and usually with thicker mist even at high noon or early afternoon.  Trails has no rocks along it.

While at the mossy forest summit of Mount Amfungotngor

This climb was third in one day starting with Mount Kupapey and followed by Mount Chumanegcheg.  Compared to the two first mountains, this one has a dense forest and mostly a mossy forest.  This is a part of my Maligcong Pentaclimb.

The misty trail of Mount Amfungotngor

Mount Amfungotngor is the considered as the highest mountain in Maligcong mountains at 1,775 MASL or 5,823 feet above sea level.  Rooted deeply in local oral history, it is celebrated as the sacred ground where the sister from the legendary foundational couple of Maligcong originated.  According to the locals, the descendants of the ancestral figures Fangan and Fukhan descended from Mount Amfungotngor to establish the earlies local settlements.   Unlike the more commercialized, open-ridge beginner hikes nearby, the upper elevations of Mount Amfungotngor remain heavily forested and less-travelled by mainstream tourism.

Some of the trails are not established

Since this mountain is not really climbed by most of the climbers, some of its trails are not established yet.  In few cases, David would clear the trail through cutting thick bushes.

There are times that there is no trail at all

It took us longer to take on our trek here as David has to instruct me to wait at a certain point, so he can figure it out on which direction we were heading to.

Waiting at times for instruction of David to follow him and proceed

Most of the time, my half body was submerged in high grass and I was scared thinking that there were snakes to bite my legs.  Thus, I oftentimes brushed against the tall grass thinking it might scare away snakes if they are really there.

This vegetation made the trees looked bigger and thicker

Indeed, this mountain defines the truest sense of a forest.  I became more alert to look at the thick leaves and grasses that mostly cover the trail for my safety.  What I have seen here are like Epiphytic mosses which are soft, velvety mats clinging to the bark of trees and decaying logs.

Trekking through a steep ascent

After the thick bushes and high grasses, there was like a clearing leading to an steep ascent.  The air became crisp.  This time, my breath felt light, clean and cold in my nose and lungs.  I just felt fresh and sharp compared to the misty trail I had earlier.

MOUNT CHUMANEGCHEG CLIMB: SECOND OF MALIGCONG PENTACLIMB SERIES

Location:  Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines
Jump-off Point:  Sitio Favuyan, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province
Alternate Jump-off Point: Sitio Fang-orao, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province
Exit point: Sitio Favuyan, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province (Backtrail)
Alternate exit point:  Sitio Fang-orao, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province (Hexaclimb Traverse)
Elevation: Approximately 1,660 MASL (5,446 feet)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day/ 2 hours (via Mount Angtungfao and Mount Kupapey)
Specs: Minor Climb, 3/9, Trail Class 1

Features:  It passes 4 major assaults (2 before Mount Angtungfao, 1 before Mount Kupapey and one leading to its summit.  The trail offers magnificent pine forest and it has established trail till Mount Kupapey. From its shoulder, it opens to the magnificent scenery of Barangay Mainit which according to the locals has a natural hot spring.

While at the summit of Mount Chumanegcheg at 1,660 MASL

Mount Chumanegcheg is a remote peak located within the ancestral territory and barangay of Maligcong.  It sits near "Farnek," an area known for local small-scale mining, and is surrounded by the rugged, verdant wilderness and high-altitude terrain characteristic of the Cordillera mountain range.

A minor descent thru a connecting trail from Mount Kupapey

As you can see, the trail is so relaxing.  No steep trails and no cardiac assaults.  Minute by minute,     the magical beauty of the mountain unfolds.  David from time to time would asked me if I need a rest, but I never did.  My camera was endlessly working to capture what in store for my wondering eyes.

View deck overlooking Mainit Village

My guide David Rome

Barangay Mainit is north of Barangay Maligcong.  This barangay earn their living through agriculture, specifically rice farming in the local terraces, heirloom rice production, and growing hight-value vegetables such as beans, squash, pechay, and other leafy vegetables supported by local communal irrigation systems that help maintain the rice paddies.  Some of their residents also engage in native craft-making, such as blacksmithing to create local tools and gongs.

Amazed of this part of the trail

When it is cold, a climber does not need water to drink and this is my experience here.  However, with continuous trekking body became warmer, thus I did not need a jacket.

Zooming in Barangay Mainit

The other side of the trail is a cliff overlooking neighboring mountains and neighboring villages.  I have seen one different trail leading down to the village.

Formed tree canopy entirely provide shade to the trail

The trail is predominantly grown with Benguet pine, which form the main tree canopy along the trail. In addition, various local brushwood and high-altitude vegetation grow abundantly in the area.

Dark bark pine trees on sight

According to the guide, this dark or black appearance of pine trees is usually caused by thick layers of dark moss, lichens, and soot-like mold growing on the bark in the cool, high-altitude, and high-humidity mountain air.  Second reason for this darkened bark is caused by morning mists and deep forest shade make the tree bark look nearly black against the sky.  And lastly, natural environmental exposure and tiny microscopic fungal fruiting bodies can darken aging pine bark over time.

Rested on these lumbers exposed for drying

I just thought logging is banned, how come these trees has been cut to produce lumbers.  But my guide was quick to defend that this was just for local housing consumption.

A series of minor ascent and descent of trail

Trails almost look similar with the canopy of pine trees

The summit is colder and misty

It was already 10:21 AM when we proceed to trek to another mountain destination which is Mount Amfungotngor of 1,775 MASL elevation.  You may read the next climb on a separate blog post titled Mount Amfungotngor.

ACCOMMODATION,  MEAL RATES AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEE

The accommodation at Chen's Homestay is P500 per person for a day, while kids is charged at half or P250 per person.  Meal per order is P250.  However, the guests can cooked their food and they charge P500 per day using all the cooking, dining wares and all cutlery items.  Coffee is free.  There is an environmental fee of P60 per head.

HOW TO GO TO BONTOC AND CHEN'S HOMESTAY (PUBLIC TRANSPORT)

1. Take a Coda Bus Liner from Cubao (Quezon City of Metro Manila) to Bontoc of Mountain Province for a fare which varies from P900 or US$14.69 to P1,200 or US$19.59 one way with a travel duration of 10-11 hours.  The final destination of this bus is to Sagada, but you need to alight in Bontoc town proper.
2. From Bontoc Commercial Center, usually parked along Capital Road behind the public market or in front of Pines Kitchenette and Inn, take a jeepney to Maligcong where your drop-off point is Favuyan (the lower/main area near most homestays) for P50 or US$0.81.  The travel time is roughly 30 to 45 minutes along scenic, uphill road.   Jeepneys leave when full, with standard intervals typically scheduled around 8:00 AM, 12:00 NN, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.

THANKS FOR READING!

MOUNT KUPAPEY CLIMB: FIRST OF MALIGCONG PENTACLIMB SERIES

Location: Barangay Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines
Jump-off Point: Sitio Favuyan, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province
Elevation: 1,647 MASL (5,403.54 feet)
Days Required / Hours to Summit: 1 day / 1 - 1/2 hours
Specs:  Minor Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1
Features: Trail covered with pine forest where its first 30 minutes is a continuous but gradual assault; the first 15 minutes cuts through a few village houses along rice terraces; it passes through the summit of Mount Angtungfao; and it is overlooking the century-old wonder of Maligcong Rice Terraces.

Just a solo climber at Mount Kupapey

This is my second time to climb Mount Kupapey, though this time, no joiners just me and my guide, David Rome Chumacog.  He was our guide in my Twin-Peak Climb of Mount Fato and Mount Kupapey.   We actually planned together before this Maligcong Pentaclimb.

The day before my climb at Chen's Homestay

This Maligcong Pentaclimb was more relaxed as it was more relaxed since having no climbing buddies except for my guide, I took control of my schedule and pacing.  This was a 3-day 2-day stay at Chen's Homestay.  When I arrived in Bontoc at around 8:30 A.M. I waited for the jeepney's departure since the first trip was at 8:00 A.M. and the next trip is usually scheduled at 12:00 Noon, next trip is 2:00 P.M.; then 4:30 P.M. and 5:30 P.M.  So, I waited till 12:00 Noon for my trip to Chen's Homestay.  The rest of the afternoon, I was just inside my comfortable room.  By that time, there were no climbers and tourists, so even if the room is good for 3 persons, I was just alone.

Ready for my first hike for my Maligcong Pentaclimb

In my first climb, a packaged tour with joiners, we have to start the trek to Mount Kupapey to capture the sunrise and possible sea of clouds.  But on this climb, we started our trek at 6:30 AM heading to the summit of Mount Kupapey.

While at the summit's clearing

Since my climb was a weekday, there were no climbers in the mountain.  David Rome and I had a good time as we were relaxed on the trail and did not even compete to capture picture particularly at the summit viewing Maligcong Rice Terraces.

Another picture at the summit slope's densely grown pine trees

It took us 42 minutes from the jump-off point to the summit where we set foot at the summit at 7:12 AM.   Heading to the second mountain which is Mount Chumanegcheg was just an easy trek as the trail was more on rolling terrain.  While Mount Kupapey has an elevation of 1,647 MASL or 5,403.54 above sea level, Mount Chumanegcheg is 1,660 MASL, which means that there was only a minor increase in elevation.  In fact, all ascent was just gradual. Just read this next climb on a separate blog post on this Mount Chumanegcheg.

TOUR GUIDE RATE

The guide is P500 per destination for a ratio of 1 is to 5 pax.  So, if for one day, there are 3 destinations visited, then, it will be P1,500.

ACCOMMODATION,  MEAL RATES AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEE

The accommodation at Chen's Homestay is P500 per person for a day, while kids is charged at half or P250 per person.  Meal per order is P250.  However, the guests can cooked their food and they charge P500 per day using all the cooking, dining wares and all cutlery items.  Coffee is free.  There is an environmental fee of P60 per head.

HOW TO GO TO BONTOC AND CHEN'S HOMESTAY (PUBLIC TRANSPORT)

1. Take a Coda Bus Liner from Cubao (Quezon City of Metro Manila) to Bontoc of Mountain Province for a fare which varies from P900 or US$14.69 to P1,200 or US$19.59 one way with a travel duration of 10-11 hours.  The final destination of this bus is to Sagada, but you need to alight in Bontoc town proper.
2. From Bontoc Commercial Center, usually parked along Capital Road behind the public market or in front of Pines Kitchenette and Inn, take a jeepney to Maligcong where your drop-off point is Favuyan (the lower/main area near most homestays) for P50 or US$0.81.  The travel time is roughly 30 to 45 minutes along scenic, uphill road.   Jeepneys leave when full, with standard intervals typically scheduled around 8:00 AM, 12:00 NN, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.

THANKS FOR READING!

MALIGCONG RICE TERRACES AS PART OF MY MALIGCONG PENTA CLIMB

Location: Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines 

Highly intimate encounter with Maligcong Rice Terraces

The first time, I experienced to set foot in Maligcong Rice Terraces was when I have my 2-day Twin Hike tour package of Mount Kupapey Climb and Mount Fato Climb.  On the first day, I saw this terraces at a distance while in our Chen's Homestay accommodation and while at the summit of Mount Fato.  But it was during the second day that after viewing the terraces from an elevation 1,647 MASL summit of Mount Kupapey, in our descent back to the jump-off point, we really experienced walking on its massive terraces.

Just descended from the jump-off point of Sitio Fang-orao

Walking through the terraces heading to Sitio Favarey

After our Twin-Peak Climb of Kupapey and Fato, I asked our guide, David Rome Chumacog if there is a possibility that I can have more climbs in Maligcong for a solo climb where I will get him as my guide.  He offered to me the Maligcong Penta Climb to include:  Mount Kupapey, Mount Lakipan, Mount Matuon, Mount Chumanegcheg, and Mount Amfungotngor, which we did and this post is just a part of that Penta climb.

Approaching Sitio Favarey

While I stayed in Sitio Favuyan of Barangay Maligcong where Chen's Homestay is located, David Rome has to drove me Sitio Fang-orao where the jump-off point of Maligcong Rice Terraces is located.  All transport vehicles stop there since the road ends there.  And visitors have to do the trekking to go to Sitio Favarey and beyond.  Sitio Fang-orao is one of the sitios of Barangay Maligcong, a rural community of mountain village.  It has 235 households who rely on primary farming and rice terrace agriculture.  It is connected via community footpaths and communal irrigation projects linked to Padkil Creek.  Its area is just a part of the 1,500 hectares total land area of Barangay Maligcong.

The view of Maligcong Rice Terraces before ascending to Mount Matuon

After passing thru Sitio Favarey, I had a 45-minute trek heading to the jump-off point of Mount Matuon.  This time, I am closer the rice terraces on the mountain slopes.  Sitio Favarey is one of the oldest upland settlements and sitios comprising the Maligcong Rice Terraces.  It has no direct road network and is accessible only via foot trails from neighboring sitios like Favuyan.  Its precise headcounts of households are unavailable, but travel and local documentation note that the population is small and gradually declining as younger generations migrate to urban centers for work, leaving a tight-knit community or traditional Cordilleran households and elders.

Another captured scenery before ascending to Mount Matuon

It took us more than 3 hours to complete our trek and summiting to Mount Matuon and Mount Lakipan.  We did these two climbs on the second day of my Maligcong Penta Climb.  I also have separate blog posts for Mount Matuon and Mount Lakipan climbs.

The view as we ascend Mount Lakipan

As I descended closer to the terraces base

Countdown of terraces to the base

The base of deception

I thought that we are heading to the base of terraces, but I was wrong since from there, we still have to trek down and even have to trek longer back to Sitio Favarey.  So, it was just like a circuit.  Coming from the jump-off point of Sitio Fang-orao, a trek to Sitio Favarey then to the foot of Mount Matuon then to Mount Lakipan and on the descent, the trail is going back to Sitio Favarey and back to Sitio Fang-orao.

Heading back to Sitio Favarey

With my guide, David Rome Chumacog heading back to Sitio Favarey

From Sitio Favarey, we can now see the Sitio Fang-orao, but don't be misled as it still takes a long trek strutting and balancing on top of narrow terraces which are wet and at times slippery.

Getting closer to Sitio Favarey

Still a 15-minute trek to Sitio Favarey

This is already close to Sitio Fang-orao

From Sitio Favarey to Sitio Fang-orao is an 20-minute trek.  The slippery trail of terraces slowed my motion.   From Sitio Fang-orao, we boarded a motor cycle back to my accommodation at Chen's Homestay.  I was back at the accommodation at around 9:15 A.M. just timely to clean-up and had an early lunch.  I checked out at 11:00 A.M. as it is their policy.  It took me more than an hour to have a jeepney down to Bontoc town proper, since the jeep has to be filled with passengers before it leaves.  My bus trip to Manila was at 3:45 P.M.

TOUR GUIDE RATE

The guide is P500 per destination for a ratio of 1 is to 5 pax.  So, if for one day, there are 3 destinations visited, then, it will be P1,500.

ACCOMMODATION,  MEAL RATES AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEE

The accommodation at Chen's Homestay is P500 per person for a day, while kids is charged at half or P250 per person.  Meal per order is P250.  However, the guests can cooked their food and they charge P500 per day using all the cooking, dining wares and all cutlery items.  Coffee is free.  There is an environmental fee of P60 per head.

HOW TO GO TO BONTOC AND CHEN'S HOMESTAY (PUBLIC TRANSPORT)

1. Take a Coda Bus Liner from Cubao (Quezon City of Metro Manila) to Bontoc of Mountain Province for a fare which varies from P900 or US$14.69 to P1,200 or US$19.59 one way with a travel duration of 10-11 hours.  The final destination of this bus is to Sagada, but you need to alight in Bontoc town proper.
2. From Bontoc Commercial Center, usually parked along Capital Road behind the public market or in front of Pines Kitchenette and Inn, take a jeepney to Maligcong where your drop-off point is Favuyan (the lower/main area near most homestays) for P50 or US$0.81.  The travel time is roughly 30 to 45 minutes along scenic, uphill road.   Jeepneys leave when full, with standard intervals typically scheduled around 8:00 AM, 12:00 NN, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.

THANKS FOR READING!

MOUNT KUPAPEY CLIMB: CAN BE A TWIN-PEAK DAY CLIMB WITH MOUNT FATO

Location: Barangay Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines
Jump-off Point: Sitio Favuyan, Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province

Elevation: 1,647 MASL (5,403.54 feet)

Days Required / Hours to Summit: 1 day / 1 - 1/2 hours

Specs:  Minor Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1

Features: Trail covered with pine forest where its first 30 minutes is a continuous but gradual assault; the first 15 minutes cuts through a few village houses along rice terraces; it passes through the summit of Mount Angtungfao; and it is overlooking the century-old wonder of Maligcong Rice Terraces.

Maligcong Rice Terraces as captured from Mount Kupapey summit

This post is the continuation of my Mount Fato Climb tour package, since it is a twin-peak climb tour package with John Lester Belardo and Kristine Capistrano as our tour provider.  This serves as the Day 2 of this trip.

My clean, warm and comfortable bed at Chen's Homestay (upper deck)

Our group had a wake-up call at 3:30 A.M., since we need to prepare for our climb and take hot beverage to warm our bodies from freezing cold.   We started our trek at 4:15 A.M. equipped with headlight, thermal outfit, enough bottled water and trail food.  It was really dark then and the only path visible to us is the light coming from our headlight.  As far as I can recall, we have been continuously ascending gradually. In the midst of pitch black and freezing cold dawn, I can only hear the very loud, distinct buzzling, clicking or whirring sound of the cicadas.

Arriving at the summit at 5:25 A.M.

Our pacing was so slow, since some has to take a rest every few minutes of trek.  Maybe, they have not conditioned themselves before they climb.   The other day climb at Mount Fato was not at all strenuous with no assaults.  It was already 5:25 A.M when we arrived at the summit, but it was still dark.

Everybody was excitedly waiting for the clearing of clouds

This time for Day 2, our guide was still David Rome Chumacog.  He was busy keeping the bonfire light up and boiled water for the morning tea drink from local wild tea plant.   At this point in time, it was still dark and the terraces were not as grand as they are when viewed with the rays of the sun.

Still waiting for the clearing at 5:45 AM

While at the summit marker

While there was no complete clearing yet, most of us were seated at the slope facing the rice terraces patiently waiting for the best view to unfold.

The terraces as captured at 5:56 AM

Gathering around the warm bonfire at the summit

With an approximate climbers of 250, few of us except for the tour provider knew each other well.  We came from different tour providers as joiners.  But the good thing for climbers, everybody seems to be polite, nice and welcoming.  Our common goal is to witness the beauty that awaits our eager eyes.

We started to grind our cameras as second by second the majestic view unfold

While others were busy capturing the view, others were totally in spell bound, but with wide eyes open in complete amazement.  I learned that some of those who were here have been here for more than once.  They just simply wanted to witness again the beauty of the scenery.

The scene at at 6:23 A.M.

The sun was up already at 6:23 AM and with this, the sun's rays defined well the contrasting line of colors of the terraces became more visible and vibrant.  Despite others having captured so much of the scenery, they still remained not wanting to leave.

Not even me wanted to leave

A drone shot of our group

Our group was the last to leave the summit, since we wanted to have an exclusive drone shot.  One of our joiners,  Jhaytom Altobar Pineda had the drone, which we also used in our drone shots in our previous day Mount Fato Climb.

Another drone shot of the summit

Still a part of the summit

The above picture is still a part of the summit.  The other side of the summit has such a magical view and good for pictorials like the prenup wedding.  The slopes on the other side is even more magnificent densely grown with pine trees.

David Samson Perio Palubon

The above picture was just one of those who had pictorials at the summit using high powered camera and I grabbed this with his permission just to show how spectacular is the view of the summit.

Finally leaving the summit

From the summit, we descended trekking to another route.  It was not the same trail that we trekked at dawn.  This time, we are going to walk on the rice terraces, with this, the distance will be longer.

The trail heading to the rice terraces

Most of the trail heading to the terraces is gradual descents and flat.  It was like walking at the mall.  The trail is quite established.

The clearing of Mount Angtungfao Peak

According to our guide, this part here is another mountain halfday called by the locals Mount Angtungfao with an elevation of 1,493 MASL or 4,898.29 feet above sea level.

Approaching the rice terraces

After 15 minutes of trek from Mount Angtungfao, we descended to a slope leading to the rice terraces.  It was a sharp drop, but the view was really rewarding.

Intimately close to the rice terraces

At this point, I am almost at the rice terraces, compared when I was at the summit that I was only capturing an overlooking view of the terraces.

Finally, setting foot at the rice terraces

Then, walking on the rice terraces

At a distance, one will see the rice terraces as small stairs, but when we were already walking on it, I have witnessed that they are massive and each terrace is even taller than the height of an average person and the terrace walls are hand-carved mountain slopes, sturdy stacked stone walls with intricate irrigation channels.

Walking thru the narrow terraces

Me, being dwarfed with the size of the terraces

I arranged with the guide that we trekked fast so that we will be at the lead pack and there will be no distractions while taking pictures and videos.

With the company of climbing buddies

A group drone picture while on the terraces

Another drone picture of the expansive rice terraces

Still another drone picture

Last drone picture heading to the regular trail

Back to the jump-off point

We arrived in our accommodation at 9:35 AM.  We had time to clean up and took our lunch.  The check-out time is 11:00 AM, but the check-in time is any time.

TOUR GUIDE RATE

The guide is P500 per destination for a ratio of 1 is to 5 pax.  So, if for one day, there are 3 destinations visited, then, it will be P1,500.

ACCOMMODATION,  MEAL RATES AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEE

The accommodation at Chen's Homestay is P500 per person for a day, while kids is charged at half or P250 per person.  Meal per order is P250.  However, the guests can cooked their food and they charge P500 per day using all the cooking, dining wares and all cutlery items.  Coffee is free.  There is an environmental fee of P60 per head.

HOW TO GO TO BONTOC AND CHEN'S HOMESTAY (PUBLIC TRANSPORT)

1. Take a Coda Bus Liner from Cubao (Quezon City of Metro Manila) to Bontoc of Mountain Province for a fare which varies from P900 or US$14.69 to P1,200 or US$19.59 one way with a travel duration of 10-11 hours.  The final destination of this bus is to Sagada, but you need to alight in Bontoc town proper.
2. From Bontoc Commercial Center, usually parked along Capital Road behind the public market or in front of Pines Kitchenette and Inn, take a jeepney to Maligcong where your drop-off point is Favuyan (the lower/main area near most homestays) for P50 or US$0.81.  The travel time is roughly 30 to 45 minutes along scenic, uphill road.   Jeepneys leave when full, with standard intervals typically scheduled around 8:00 AM, 12:00 NN, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.

THANKS FOR READING!