THE ENCHANTING CHARM OF MOUNT KABUNIAN IN BAKUN

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

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.

Down the hanging bridge

Bakun River serves as a vital riverine ecosystem primarily home to freshwater species like goby fish (bunog) and tadpoles, which are traditionally harvested by the indigenous Kankanaey-Bago peoples using push nets locally called sapa.

The spectral morning sunrise opposite Mount Kabunian at 6:08 AM

Indeed, it was great to experience this mystical sunrise, in which the sky was so painted with deep, otherworldly hues of soft atmospheric transitions that awakened my sleepy senses.

Obviously, ahead of my climbing buddy

At this point, this was an open trail grown with thick grass.  At 6:19 AM, sun rays had been striking us, though the temperature around was still cool.

The trail transitioning to local pine trees

As we ascended forward, we moved past the farming areas and the path gradually shifted toward pine-needle-covered dirt trails and shaded and at some point semi-shaded pine tree sections.

Trail secured with metal fence

At 6:24 AM, a metal fence was installed at one side to secure the safety of the climbers.   At this point, a climber is already heading to the famous "Stairway to Heaven" trail in less than 25 minutes.

My relaxed climbing buddy

The metal fence serves also as a handle for a tired climber to hold on it while ascending as the trail is continuously advances uphill.

Ascending on open trail

At 6:56 AM, we were at this point, where safety fences were no longer evident.  With excitement, my climbing buddy and I, raced up hoping another breathtaking view will unfold.

The sun was up already at 6:56 AM

We captured this view when we looked down from we were standing as we sipped refreshing water from our hydration bladder with a brand of Platypus.

Capturing what was behind me as I ascend

Catching another angle of the mighty sun

Just another rolling trail

Thought I was almost near the summit

Scaling the "Stairway to Heaven" at 7:28 AM

This section is called by the locals as Tekdag Camsit, where it has carved steps directly into the soft, solid rock faces of the cliff to form the path before reaching the main staircase.

Capturing my climbing buddy while standing on top of the "Stairway to Heaven"

I really regret, I did not ask our guide and my climbing buddy to take me a picture while I was scaling this section. I simply understand that she was already catching her breath on her every step heading to the top.

The distant peak of the "Stairway to Heaven" at 7:39 AM

Too close but still far from the summit at 7:59 AM

As you see, from this point, I still need 73 minutes to finally reach the summit.  The trail wraps tightly along a steep, massive mountain wall with narrow ridge and deep ravines and sharp drop-offs

The view down from where I stood while advancing to the summit at 8:32 AM

Still scaling towards the summit at 8:47 AM

By the way, from the junction heading to this direction, we refilled our Platypus with really refreshing cold water.  I even washed my face with this water for me to feel stunningly fresh.

Looking down again made me proud of how I conquered this elevation

Finally made it to the summit at 9:12 AM

In my personal record with relaxing steps and occasional running after my breath, I reached the summit for 4 hours and 17 minutes at an elevation of 1,789 meters above sea level or 5,869 feet above sea level.

Just same platform at the summit

We stayed 20 minutes at the summit to have our lunch.  We had a regrouping there of 14 joiners, though they were all strangers to me.  We only met for this climb.  My climbing buddy was my best choice as we are of the same pacing.  We just had ample bonding while when we had our Mount Tenglawan climb the other day.

Navigating thru the massive walls on my way to descent at 10:17 AM

Descending from the summit made me extremely cautious as the massive rocks along the trail was wet and slippery due to moss.  One false move leads you to the Arms of Our Creator.

Looking down ahead made me feel so grateful to God of His majestic creation

This tree is just on top of the "Stairway to Heaven" section

At 10:42 AM, the trail was already filled with fogs and the breathtaking view around was just covered by it.   It got colder also and it gave us an advantage as we were protected from the heat of the sun.

Down to this hanging bridge at 12:53 Noon

Since it was foggy around, we sped up our trek with no rest and stop.  It was easier to descend than to ascend after all.   

Back to this iconic hanging bridge

Scaling thru an endless concrete pathway at 1:15 PM

This pathway was the one I mentioned where we passed thru as we started our trek at 4:30 AM which was an endless descent, but this time it was the reverse, it was already ascending.

Getting closer to another festive and  sumptuous lunch

At 1:34 PM, I was already strutting towards our accommodation in Barangay Poblacion, where a festive lunch was prepared for us by our tour provider, Win Calleja.  

Finally reached our accommodation at 1:46 PM

As I reached our accommodation, I was welcomed by fellow climbers who were already on a fiesta mode due to sumptuous lunch party.  Some were drinking beer.  By the way, four of our fellow climbers from Mount Tenglawan, did not join us in our Mount Kabunian Climb, instead, they went to tour to a fascinating water falls of Tekip.

After fixing our things, we boarded the same chartered van back to Manila for 353 kilometers for a driving time of 7.5 hours since there was heavy traffic before the toll exit in Bulacan.  We passed thru NLEX, TPLEX and Kennon Road.

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!