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.

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