Location: Bakun, Benguet, Philippines
Jump-off Point: Brgy. Poblacion, Bakun, Benguet
Elevation: Approximately 1,789 MASL (5,869feet)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day/ 4-5 hours
Specs: Major Climb, 5/9, Trail Class 1
Jump-off Point: Brgy. Poblacion, Bakun, Benguet
Elevation: Approximately 1,789 MASL (5,869feet)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day/ 4-5 hours
Specs: Major Climb, 5/9, Trail Class 1
Features: Superbly stunning views of massive, rocky slopes, stairway to heaven secured trail, five hanging bridges, open and forested trails, water source at the midpoint, breathtaking views of Mount Tenglawan and other mountains at the summit, long descent of concrete trail (around 45 minutes) with metal railings from Poblacion proper to the jump-off point, hanging burial coffins along massive rocky slopes. It was named after the highest deity or goddess of the Kankanaey myth, named Apo Kabunian, an Igorot God held to be the father of lesser gods and mankind, whom the locals believed bless their harvest abundantly and significantly. Thus, they call this mountain, the Home of the Sky God Kabunian.
With the backdrop of the summit
The name of the mountain Kabunian has a cultural significance, as it is named after Apo Kabunian, the supreme sky god in Kankanaey and Ibaloi belief systems. This mountain features traditional pre-colonial burial caves embedded directly into the rock faces and remains a revered site for local indigenous rituals. Mount Kabunian is one the three famous mountains which are the favorite hiking destinations of climbing enthusiasts called "Bakun Trio". This climb is the continuation of my Mount Tenglawan.
Preparations for the Climb
As this climb was the second mountain of our Mount Tenglawan-Mount Kabunian 2-day Climb, in the evening after we climb Mount Tenglawan, we stayed for overnight at the Bakun Old Municipal Building in Barangay Poblacion.
Bakun Old Municipal Building
The driving distance from Barangay Sinacbat, which is the jump-off point of Mount Tenglawan is 44.3 kilometers road drive of more than 2 hours travel time via the Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun-Sinipsip Road heading to Barangay Poblacion of Bakun where we stayed overnight. Bakun LGU local authorities accommodate visiting hikers for a minimal fee of around P200 per head. Its local tourism also organize by giving assistance to those hikers who opt to have local homestays or local houses.
Been on this trail at 5:48 AM
Our wake-up call was at 3:00 AM and we had our sumptuous breakfast provided in our tour package catered by the best tour provider Papi Win Calleja, the best chef ever. Before we left our accommodation, an orientation was given to us. Finally, we started the trek at 4:30 AM passing thru Bakun National High School where it was still dark. Then followed an endless descending concrete pathways which cuts through the middle of the village and moved into local agricultural and farmland paths.
At the background is the mountain slope which shows the trail
The trails and backdrop of the mountain were so scenic and postcard-perfect. The air was cold and I simply enjoyed the climb despite the fact that the trails were long filled with hanging cliffs.
The far distant summit at the backdrop
The photo above was captured at 5:58 AM. The sun was starting to rise and some parts of the mountain was not yet hit by the rays of the sunlight.
Reaching this marker at 6:01 AM
The "marker" of the history of Doligen (also spelled Duligen) in Mount Kabunian is a natural rock formation and a water spring shrouded in local mythology. Rather than a man-made historical plaque, the physical marker is the legend backed "Duligen Rock".
Zooming in this captivating water falls at a far distance
The sightings of distant, cascading waterfalls are among the most captivating features of Mount Kabunian nearby landscape and mountain slopes. This is in addition to the colossal, vertical limestone cliffs and deep valleys that create a dramatic backdrop where waterfalls seemingly emerge directly out of the mountain walls, earning the area local comparisons to the "Crying Mountains" or the "Switzerland of Benguet".
Just one of the iconic hanging bridges along our trail
Because of the deep ravines and the presence of the Bakun River, hanging bridges are constructed to span across these ravines and the rushing waters of the Bakun River.
