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.

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