CARROT PEAK: THE DISTINGUISHING FEATURE OF MOUNT TENGLAWAN

Location:  Bakun, Benguet, Philippines
Jump-off Point:  Brgy. Sinacbat, Bakun, Benguet
Elevation: Approximately 1,943 MASL (6,374 feet)
Days Required / Hours to Summit: 1 day / 3-4 hours
Specs:  Major Climb, 5/9 Difficulty, Trail Class 1
Features:  Mossy and pine forests, water source at almost midpoint, open trails equipped with concrete stairs and metal railings, carrot peak defines the summit, deep descent after the jump-off point, overlooking mountain slopes of vegetable plantation, continuous assaults to the summit and breathtaking sceneries of Mount Lobo, Mount Kabunian and the surrounding mountains of Ilocos Sur during clear sunny days.   The locals believe that God Insaking resides in this mountain, the ruler of the wicked spirits, thus, they called this a devil mountain.

While at the summit of Carrot Peak

Mount Tenglawan is considered a moderate climb, rated 5 out of 9 in difficulty, making it a minor hike rather than a major or extreme one with a total trail length of about 13 kilometers total.  Its Carrot Peak which towers over its summit is a unique, towering and narrow rock monolith that sharply mimics the shape of a carrot pointing toward the sky.  It is characterized by stark limestone cliffs, sheer drops, and dramatic rock promontories.

After 4 minutes of trekking from the jump-off point

Mount Tenglawan is a part of my 2-day twin-climb of  Mount Tenglawan and Mount Kabunian.  I was a joiner of this climbing package organized by a highly professional Win Calleja who even cater international climbs from Asia to Africa.  As usual, the trip started on the evening of a Friday leaving at 10:00 PM from the Sunflower (Mayflower) Parking of Greenbelt Districit in Mandaluyong City of Metropolitan Manila and arrived at the jump-off point of Barangay Sinacbat, of Bakun, Benguet the following day at 7:21 AM, the same place where we had registration at its barangay hall boarding a chartered van.

The terrain after 6 minutes trek at 8:44 AM

Even at the start, one can see dramatic and scenic hillsides, vegetable plantation and mountain slopes.  The cold air adds up comfort to us, climbers.  Honestly, in this climb, I knew nobody of my fellow joiners, just the organizer.

The vegetable plantation along our trail at 8:49 AM

Walking along the trail was so relaxing.  I could not start any conversation with my fellow joiners as they, too, are busy with their lens capturing the highly splendid scenery that unfolds to their eyes minute by minute.  Besides, they, too are complete strangers to me.  During our night trip, we were all asleep at the van where we boarded.   There was no introduction from the organizer as most of them knew already each other.

Strutting along the shady pine forest at 9:27 AM

After 49 minutes of relaxing trek, we entered the pine forest called Benguet pine, locally referred to as saleng in Ilocano, where this tree is the dominant species making up the tropical pine forests of the Cordillera Central range under its scientific name Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis.

Scaling thru the ascending concrete stairs with metal safety railings at 9:30 AM

Ascending thru this concrete staircase with steel railings where locals call it as "Hagdan ni Bulilit" offers a breathtaking view, as this steep staircases are embedded directly into the side of the mountain.  Reaching these stairs marks a shift in the environment, where the exposed vegetable terraces and grassy hillsides transform into a shaded, refreshing pine forest.

The exposed narrow concrete staircases

The frequency of the concrete staircases sometimes confuses my eyes and I was constantly on guard with my steps since they were wet and slippery.

The rocky and slippery trail at 9:56 AM

At this point, we were trekking along notoriously slippery and moss-covered rocks and since the trail is densely grown with vegetation supplemented with damp climate, limatik (blood sucking leeches) thrive in a great number along these trail segments.  A damp climate is a regional weather pattern featuring high levels of moisture, frequent precipitation, and high humidity in the air.

Passing thru this densely grown pine forest at 10:03 AM

Honestly, despite the endless assaults, I did not get tired.  All the time, I was just amazed of what I saw around.  However, I did not have a climbing buddy.  Some of my fellow joiners knew each other already and they trek in two's or three's.  While I do trek alone having my own pacing.

Our first rest and regrouping at 10:21 AM

As far as I knew, we only had one regrouping before we reached the summit.  We need to do this, since some of our companions were left far behind.

Contented with a selfie shot

Hesitant to ask for a picture from my companions, I just took a selfie shot.  But, you know, my fellow climbers here became my friends after the climb.  And one of them 

My turn to scale the Carrot Peak

Our group reached the summit at 10:50 AM. However, scaling the Carrot Peak was done one by one.   I just waited for my turn to climb the peak.  Those of us who were waiting took our lunch.  Each of us were given ample time to do this and we were allowed to do whatever we want while at the Carrot Peak including the picture taking and video recording.

Setting foot on top of Carrot Peak at 12:27 Noon

The assault to Carrot Peak was literally steep, though there was a rope we took support as we navigate up and down.  The assault was easier since, I can pull myself faster with the use of the rope, but descending using the rope was rather scary as I felt so heavy and my body swings, not to mention that strong winds playfully pushed my body, thus, my body swings.

While on my descent at 12:55 Noon

I really wanted to have a picture and video of my own.  Thus, while on our descent, I requested our guide to take me a picture and video.

Same spot of regrouping before we pushed down

Descending requires shorter time compared to ascending.  I can even run along the trail if the trail is no consist of moss-covered slippery rock.

Same trail for our descent at 1:29 PM

On my personal record, it took me 1 hour and 7 minutes to completely descend to the jump-off point.  From the jump-off point, we had the option to avail of the shower facility at the registration site which is the barangay hall of Barangay Sinacbat for hikers returning from Mount Tenglawan with the rate of P20 or US$0.32 to P50 or US$0.80.  Alternatively, hikers can choose to utilize local home-stays or the barangay hall for lodging for a fee of P150 or US$2.39 to P160 or US$2.55 per night that usually includes full use of the kitchen, restroom, and bathing facilities.

On our part, since we were in a packaged tour, we just had our clean-up or shower at the barangay hall of Sinacbat, and then, boarding the same chartered van, we had a road travel of more than 3 hours heading to Barangay Poblacion of Bakun staying overnight on its barangay hall via the Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun-Sinipsip Road for a total of 43.4 kilometers.  The travel should only be for 2 hours, but we were lost at few times and so we had been extended to 3 hours road travel.

You may also want to read my blog post of the Summary of My 100 Plus Climbing Portfolio  and the detailed blog post of my Asia Trilogy Climbs of Mount Fuji Climb (Japan), Yushan Climb (Taiwan) and Mount Kinabalu Climb (Malaysia).

THANKS FOR READING!