MOUNT DULANG-DULANG CLIMB

Location: Lantapan, Bukidnon Major Jump-off: Sitio Bol-ogan, Brgy. Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon (Ideal) Exit point: Sitio Bol-ogan, Brgy. Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon Coordinates: 8.097980N; 124.96050E Elevation: 2,938 MASL (9,649 feet) Days Required/Hours to Summit: 2 days/9-10 hours Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail Class 2-4 Specs (Traverse): Major climb, Difficulty 8/9, Trail class 2-4 with roped segments Description: Mount Dulang-Dulang is the second highest mountain of the Philippines, second only to Mount Apo of Davao at 3,412 meters (11,194 feet) and slightly higher than Mount Pulag of Luzon, the third highest at 2,922 meters (9,587 feet). Descriptive Summary: This climb is actually a part of Mount Kitanglad – Dulang-Dulang Traverse Climb. The itinerary presented here is an ideal non-traverse climb and not necessarily what the blogger did.

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The surrounding mountains taken from the summit of Mount Dulang-Dulang

Originally, my plan was to have a Dulang-Dulang – Kitanglad Traverse but my guide told me that it is so expensive to do this since you have to pay for the ritual to be officiated by the datu as well as the chicken costs P1,500 not to mention that you have to pay for the climbing registration. Part of the ritual is the hanging of bands of white cloth at the summit with coins in it, as they say that it is a show of respect to the native culture. All these are paid to the datu where it will reach around P4,000 and since I was alone to climb the mountain, I have to shoulder the whole amount. With this, I changed my mind and sought the advise of my guide who suggested to me that I better opt to have my entry point in Kitanglad and traverse to Dulang-Dulang to avoid these expenses.

Approaching the vertical trail of Mount Dulang-Dulang from Kitanglad side

That is why, it is really difficult to climb this mountain without prior contact because you do not have a local knowledge about the place and you might end up spending much. It is recommended that groups who wanted to climb have to join the Mindanao-based groups where they know more about the existing climb regulating policies. It is highly recommended, too, that you should have an experienced guide. To make it lighter in your pocket, you arrange with the guide that he is also your porter at a rate of P1,500 per day. Guide and porter has a rate of P1,000 a day.

Another panoramic view from the summit of Mount Dulang-Dulang

In my case, I just bargained to pay my guide the amount of P1,500 but I shouldered all the expenses ranging from our food, transport and registration/park fees for the five of us. My guide asked my permission to allow him to have three companions including a student nurse.

Another worth-sharing panoramic picture taken from the summit

My guide and porters did not observe the time stated in our itinerary as initially agreed and so I find it not worth sharing for purposes of giving the accurate information.

On top of bonsai tree at the mountain's summit

According to my guide, this mountain is regarded by the Talaandig tribe of Lantapan as a sacred place. It is also within the ancestral domain of the tribe.

Mount Kitanglad's summit as viewed from Mount Dulang-Dulang's summit

Just imagine, we woke up at 6:00 A.M. at our Kitanglad’s abandoned bunkhouse but we started the trek at 10:50 A.M. We descended the 90-degree vertical trail equipped with a rope at 11:00 A.M. where this part is grown with cogon grass and was at Kawa-Kawa Campsite at 12:00 Noon but we had our lunch along the trail at around 1:30 P.M. since we had our breakfast late.

Our group enjoying the cool breeze at the summit early in the morning

Later in the afternoon, our group was heading for a Dulang-Dulang Traverse where we were trailing lofty forests. True enough, that according to my previous research, this mountain is a home to a variety of fauna and flora. Accordingly, it was revealed that it is a home to 58 mammal species including bats, squirrels, monkeys, wild boars, flying lemurs, shrews and deer.

A part of the summit where white bands of cloth are hanged with coins as part of the tribal ritual

The Fairy Land just adjacent to the summit

Further, it was revealed that the Philippine Eagle is also sighted within the vicinity of this mountain but that I have not experienced. It maybe disappointing but I only sighted two squirrels along the trail and nothing more. Most of the mammal species in this mountain are endangered species and so climbers should be responsible enough not hunt them or cause damage to their habitat.

The enchanting Fairy Land

Walking through various trails was quite rewarding as you will see pine trees and forests where cicadas can be heard. As you enter the densely forested area, the air is becoming cold and what you will hear is the sound of your footsteps. You can see thick moss abounds along your trail and in open trails you can see clouds on top of you.

Enjoying the mossy forest of the Fairy Land

Nimrod and I were climbing a muddy vertical trail at 4:20 P.M. and finally reached the summit at 5:15 P.M. where we pitched our tent. It was extremely freezing at night comparable with that of Mount Pulag. With this, it is highly recommended that you bring thick and thermal clothing and gears like jackets, gloves and other thermal outfit.

Wanted to stay longer in the Fairy Land

Late in the afternoon until early in the evening, our group was in the summit capturing with our camera the changing hue of the sky and the distant mountains. We had our dinner at 7:00 P.M. and rested at 10:00 P.M. after our socials.

Some more time in the Fairy Land

We woke up at 5:00 P.M. and stayed at the summit while the rest were preparing for hot beverage drinks. After taking hot milk and a pair of bread slices, we stayed in the ‘Fairy Land’ just adjacent to the summit. My companions were getting the coins from the white bands of cloth hanged from the trees. I noticed that trees around are like bonsai.

Still at the Fairy Land

Gasiong and I started to trek at 9:00 A.M. and were at Manny’s Garden at 9:30 A.M. where we stayed there till 11:00 A.M. for cooking our food for our brunch.

The royal grass crown at the Fairy Land

After that was a long and exhausting trek until we reached the jump-off point at 4:00 P.M. in Sitio Bol-ogan. We have not booked for a chartered vehicle and so we waited for a passing jeepney just up to Barangay Balila where we dropped Gasiong and McDong who will be heading to Mountain View College Main Campus while the three of us: Nimrod, Shiela Mae and I headed to Valencia City for three cutting trips.

Last glimpse of the Fairy Land

While at the summit campsite

Sunrise at the summit

Still at the summit witnessing the scenic sunrise

Below is the recommended itinerary from www.pinoymountainer.com which is an ideal one to guide your future climb:

ITINERARY

Day 1
11:00 From CDO’s Agora Terminal, take bus to Malaybalay
15:00 ETA Malaybalay market, meet with the local group
15:30 Take jeep to Lantapan
17:30 ETA Lantapan, Courtesy call with Datu
18:00 Prepare for next day’s climb, dinner
19:00 Attend ritual sacrifice by the Talaandig tribesfolk
21:00 Lights out

Day 2
05:30 Start trek
11:30 Lunch at water source (near river)
16:00 ETA Plaza
16:30 ETA Manny’s Garden (campsite near summit). Set up camp
17:00 Visit the summit (just 5 minutes away)

Day 3
05:45 Wake up to watch the sunrise at the summit, Spot Mount Apo
06:30 Breakfast
08:00 Break camp
08:30 Start descent
12:00 Back at water source
16:00 Back at jump-off point; take jeepney back to Malaybalay
17:30 Take jeep or bus to CDO

Our group enjoying a siesta at the summit campsite

While at the Manny’s Garden

Manny’s Garden is a mystical forest right after the summit area of Dulang-Dulang if you are in a Kitanglad-D2 Traverse. It is named after the late Manny Serina, the great pillar of mountaineering in Mindanao. He was among the pioneers who explored and introduced Dulang-Dulang as a climbing destination.

Preparing our meal for brunch at Manny's Garden

We spent long at the Manny's Garden where we had our brunch since we only have a coffee and a pair of slice bread in the morning.

Trekking a very, very long and winding rough road leading to the jump-off point in Sitio Bol-ogan, Brgy. Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon

TRIVIA

As Guiting-Guiting is dubbed as ‘G2’, Dulang-Dulang is now coined as ‘D2’. It is now high time to correct textbooks and other reference reading materials which give unverified information that Mount Pulag is the second highest mountain in the Philippines as D2 is 16 meters (52.55 feet) higher than Mount Pulag.

HOW TO GET THERE

Take an airplane from Manila to CDO. Take an airconditioned Rural Trans bus from CDO Integrated Bus Terminal going to Valencia for 3 – 4 hours for P180. Take a jeepney from Valencia to Aglayan for P20. Take a multicab from Aglayan to Lantapan town proper for P25. Take habal-habal from Lantapan town proper to Barangay Balila for P10 and a jeepney from Brgy. Balila to Sitio Bol-ogan of Brgy. Songco, Lantapan Municipality.

GUIDE'S CONTACT NUMBER

Nimrod Solis - +639267977522

MOUNT KITANGLAD CLIMB

Location: Between Malaybalay City and the municipalities of Lantapan, Impasug-ong, Sumilao and Libona Major Jump-off: Sitio Intavas, La Fortuna, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon Exit Point: Traversed to Mount Dulang-Dulang Coordinates: 808’2”N; 124047’0”E Elevation: 2,899 MASL (9,521 feet) Days Required/Hours to Summit: 2 days/6-7 hours (Ideal) Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail class 2-4 Description: It is the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines and an inactive volcano located in the Kitanglad Mountain Range. Blogger’s Note: This climb is actually a part of Mount Kitanglad – Dulang-Dulang Traverse Climb. The itinerary presented here is an ideal non-traverse climb and not necessarily what the blogger did.

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A panoramic view of Kitanglad Mountain Range

The habal-habal ride from Intavas crossing at La Fortuna was quite breathtaking as I see the full view of Kitanglad Mountain Range. My guide has pointed for me where in this part of the mountain range Mount Kitanglad and Mount Dulang-Dulang were located. We passed through typical rural houses with garden of vegetables and fruit trees. The long road where we took was not cemented but it was not dusty unless a vehicle pass through us.

The mountain derived its name from a legend where according to the tales told, there was once a great flood that submerged the land the native settlers and what remained to be visible (“Kita” in Tagalog) then was the tip of the mountain as small as the size of the “tanglad” (a lemon grass). By then, the place was called Ki’tanglad where it is now considered to be the domain of several old cultural communities like the Bukidnon, Higaonon and Talaandig.

The Intavas crossing in La Fortuna where habal-habal can be hired to the jump-off point

This climb was the second time that I was alone like that of Mount Apo where I only hired one guide in the name of Nimrod Solis and two porters (Mcdong and Asher “Gasiong” Lumayag) along with a student nurse (Shiera Mae Luces) where I paid for all their expenses ranging from food provision and transportation not to mention the guiding and porter’s fee.

With me in the picture is Shiera Mae Luces

With me is one of the tribesmen while heading for Sitio Intavas

The rich green plantation of vegetables

The province of Bukidnon is just one of the fertile land in Mindanao as it is blessed to have a favorable weather and so farmers can easily grow vegetables in their farms.

One of the steel staircase in steep trails

We started the trek from Sitio Intavas at 8:15 A.M. in a wide road running through rice fields and vegetable paddies and arrived in the foot of the mountain at 9:55 A.M. Our group stayed there for a long time cooking a lot of food

Uprooted huge trees along the trail downed by previous typhoons

From the foot of the mountain, we resumed our trekking at 1:00 P.M. I noticed that some of the trails were well-established with steel staircase which according to my guide were intended for the employees who work in the communication facilities at the summit. These steel stairs were a big help in ascending the very steep trails. We were trailing with a densely refreshing forested area and met some climbers who are on their way of descending the mountain. We have to work through big roots of the trees and some big trees were even uprooted due to typhoons that hit the area.

Resting over an uprooted tree after a series of cardiac assaults

Trekking was not only difficult due to a number of cardiac assaults but what made it more difficult that I have to jump, climb and walk over huge logs and in some cases the trail is not traceable because of the logs that covered it.

The photo shows my swollen right foot worn with sandal and the other one with shoes

Trekking with swollen right foot was an agony most particularly that it was not only muddy but you have to walk over with wet trail of muddy pond-like holes and your feet are dipped in the muddy cold water. You are trekking producing a squelching sound of shoes filled with water.

Most of the trails were muddy and steep. But I was amazed to see the aerial roots and some mountains along high cliffs. I became weak then and my numbed feet can hardly move that all my companions left me trekking in the darkness of the night.

Freezing inside an abandoned soldiers' quarter at the summit

I reached the summit at around 8:00 P.M. freezing in coldness. I was disappointed that because of this night trek, I was not able to see the many mountains and places in the Northern and Central Mindanao like the Balatucan mountains, Mount Ragang and the other peaks of the Kitanglad range not to mention Mount Dulang-Dulang. At the summit, our group occupied an abandoned soldiers’ quarters for an overnight since the summit was erected with around seven communication towers.

The following day, we trekked down to the other side to have a traverse to Mount Dulang-Dulang (see the the blog on MOunt Dulang-Dulang Climb).

Communication facilities at the summit of Mount Kitanglad

Early morning at the summit

Other communication towers at the summit

ITINERARY (Recommended from www.pinoymountaineer.com)

Intavas Traip

Day 1
04:00 Depart from CDO to Impasug-ong
08:00 ETA jump-off at Sitio Intavas. Register and start trek.
12:00 ETA “Aerial Roots” area; lunch along the trail
03:30 ETA summit
18:00 Prepare for next day’s climb, dinner
19:00 Attend ritual sacrifice by the Talaandig tribesfolk (Our group did not do this)
21:00 Rest Over Night (RON)

Day 2
06:00 Mountain-viewing session; Mount Ragang, Mt. Balatucan, D2, etc.
07:00 Breakfast, break camp
08:00 Start descent via Intavas trail, muddy and steep
11:00 Reach “Aerial roots”: roots suspended in air
13:00 ETA rough road
14:00 ETA jump-off point at Sitio Intavas
15:00 Take jeepney back to Malaybalay or CDO
18:00 ETA CDO
Note: Our group had a different itinerary since ours was a Kitanglad-Dulang2 Traverse Climb.

The scenic communication towers scraping the rich blue skies

SPECIAL CONCERNS

To avoid a freezing temperature at the summit, you may reserve in advance the DENR – Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park at (088) 813 3453 to reserve for bunk-bed at the summit. Because of the chilling temperature, two persons can warmly fit in one bunkbed. Since the summit is a communication center, there is electricity where you can even watch TV and enjoy a mobile network signal throughout the climb.

Watch your step as you ascend up to the summit since the electric wires run parallel to your trail which might pose a potential risk since they are high-voltage lines. This may also apply with the erected communication towers at the summit which might also be potentially hazardous.

Descending through the 90-degree vertical trail heading to Mount Dulang-Dulang

The mossy and densely forested trail heading towards a Mount Dulang-Dulang traverse

HOW TO GET THERE Take an airplane from Manila via Cagayan De Oro City. Take an airconditioned Rural Trans bus in CDO Integrated Bus Terminal going to Valencia for 3 – 4 hours for P180. Take another bus from Valencia to Intavas Crossing at La Fortuna for 1 hour and 10 minutes for P65. Take habal-habal from Intavas Crossing to Sitio Intavas for 30 minutes for P60 per head or P120 for one habal-habal with 2 maximum riders. GUIDE'S CONTACT NUMBER

Nimrod Solis - +639267977522

MOUNT TAPULAO CLIMB

Location: Palauig, Zambales, Philippines Major jump-off: Sitio Dampay, Brgy. Dampay-Salaza, Palauig, Zambales Coordinates: 15.4833 N, 120.1166 E Elevation: 2037 MASL/6,682 feet above sea level Days required / Hours to summit:1-2 days / 6-12 hours Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail Class 1-3 Blogger's notes: The name "tapulao" is a dialect name which means pine trees where these pine trees can be seen from Bukot Baboy Hill to the bunkhouse and it also has a mossy forest. Its trail which consist of more than 85% which is once a chromite mining site gives the mountain a distinctive characteristic not to mention its semi-temperate climate. It is also very rewarding to see the majestic views of the West Philippine Sea while on its summit.

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While on the "World Tree" at Mount Tapulao's summit

This is so far my second climb where my first climb was dated December 25 – 28, 2011. Despite having difficulties in climbing it for the first time due to its rocky trail, I still preferred to climb this due to its rewarding views grown with pine trees just like that of Mount Pulag and Mount Ugo. During my first climb here, I was then with the company of Gani Dionela (fellow PNB Mountaineering Club member); Jun Ilao and Genrose C. Encarnacion. In my recent climb, I was with Jenbelle Richard Macasero. The pictures here is a mixed of my two climbs. The whole climb is a 34-kilometer trek/assault which is broken down as follows: Jump-off point/Registration House to Summit is 17 kilometers and the Summit back to the Registration Office is another 17 kilometers.

It is highly recommended that trekkers should start early even before dawn, as it can be quite hot trekking through the rocky road in long open fields with rolling and gradual terrain. By doing this, when the sun is already high, trekkers should have passed already the two water sources and reached the dipterocarp forest with cooler temperature. But in our own experience, we started almost 8 o’clock in the morning that we ended up spending overnight in Kilometer 10 where the second water source is located.

This is a part of a long open and gradual trail from the registration site

Trekking Mount Tapulao even for the first timers do not need a guide since the trail is wide passable by a 4 x 4 truck since this long road that connects to the chromite mining site near the bunker house is wide though filled with loose rocks which causes an exhausting trek since you keep on balancing every step you make.

The trail to the top of Mount Tapulao is on rolling and gradual terrain that takes hikers through a number of distinct ecosystems from lowland grass and scrubland dominated by talahib (cogon grass) to its flanks of secondary to primary dipterocarp forest, mossy montane forest and pine forest above 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) that extends to the adjacent mountains (extracted from Wikipedia).

This is how the rocky trail looks like

With the kind of trail the mountain has, one has to have patience to continuously do the exhausting rock scrambling. Combined with the heat of the sun, heavy backpack and endless battle of the loose rocks applying the highly conscious footwork, the trek could really be challenging.

After four hours of trek almost near to the first water source

Though, we brought enough water with us, we still had refilled in the first water station with the assumption that we still have a long, long way to go.

As the elevation increases, cardiac assaults were more evident. Thus, we need to have frequent rests to breathe out fatigue. At this point, the trail was still open where we are exposed to the direct heat coming from the sun.

Overlooking the clouds below

Climbing higher is very rewarding as the sea of clouds is visible to our naked eyes. The effort we exert in the endless cardiac assaults is worth it.

Camping at Kilometer 10 during our first night

We actually passed through Kilometer 10 for more than a kilometer where the second water source is located and refilled some water. However, it was already getting dark and we were then so tired and so we headed back to Kilometer 10 to stay for an overnight.

The nightscape while at Kilometer 10 Campsite for an overnight

We realized, it was a right decision to stay overnight at Kilometer 10 as its ground can accommodate a space for our tents. Unlike in some other parts that the grounds are tilted and no better space can accommodate our tents. As a bonus, we enjoyed amazing nightscape shots after our sumptuous dinner.

Breakfast in abundance at Kilometer 10

Indeed, staying an overnight at Kilometer 10 had given us a number of benefits since as we near the second water source, we can clean-up of bodies after having our breakfast as well as we were able to clean all our utensils not by usual wiping of tissue papers but with clean water. Breakfast then was cooked just like when we are in our house abundant with water supply.

Overlooking the Bukot Baboy Hill

Entering the forest in Bukot Baboy is the start where one can see pine trees. At least, the shade of the pine trees gave us a refreshing breath.

A close up photo with Bukot Baboy at the background

At this point, the photographers can feast on the 360 degrees scenery which is visible to them. We stopped there then to have more pictures.

Approaching the narrow plateau after the Bukot Baboy

At this point, the air was so cool and we can't resist but to stay longer. It was like, you are trekking the trail of Mount Ugo and Mount Pulag grown with fresh smelling pine trees. With me in the picture above are Gani Dionela and Genrose Encarnacion.

More cool trail with the presence of pine trees

The trail is more friendlier as the dry brown mud serves as the host of our tired soles making our trek relaxing and better compared to the previous ones.

A friendlier and shady trail

As the picture above shows, the trail becomes better where one can have an executive and relaxing walk without thinking that stones might hurt one in every step he does.

An absolutely amazing tree with the sky as its backdrop

This point here is almost near the bunkhouse as one climber told us when we asked him. The trail here was back to rugged but the air was becoming colder.

Uncollected mined deposits of chromite stones are evident here

Looking around, one will be reminded that once this mountain was a chromite mining site but deposits of it were not collected as its operation was already closed.

The road leading to the bunkhouses

This part is more refreshing as the trail is no longer rocky and the cool breeze of the pine trees give the trekkers a relaxing walk.

A scenery of Sumatran Pine trees taken from the Bunkhouse

The abundance of Sumatran Pine trees of this mountain, known in the local Zambal dialect as tapulao is where its name was derived.These countless pine tress can be viewed best from the bunkhouse.

An entry before approaching the bunkhouses where the comfort room is located

The sight of the bunkhouses is a absolutely a relief. We had rested the whole windy afternoon. We cleaned up in the nearby water source just 10 meters away. Preparing dinner was next to what we did. As the evening is getting late, the wind was becoming strong. The extreme coldness which penetrates to my bones kept me almost awake the whole night.

An abandoned payloader used in the closed chromite mining operation.

We had much time to enjoy the place the rest of the afternoon. We had the chance to chat with some other climbers who decided to stay overnight in the bunkhouse. Most of the climbers when they reach the bunkhouse in the afternoon would not push for the summit and they do it early the following day.

A steep ascent via the pine forests to the mini-campsite

This is just in front of the bunkhouse leading to the mini-campsite. From this campsite, is another forest line which leads to the summit for more than 30 minutes. Based on what we did, we left our backpacks in the bunkhouse where we camped overnight when we ascended to the summit and just took with us a bottle of water and digicam. We did not pitch our tents since we stayed in the bunkhouse but used thick sleeping bags instead. But mind you, it was really very, very cold at night and going out from the bunkhouse at night may not be comfortable as one may experience the strong cold winds. By the way, the bunkhouse which was used to be a place for the miners has been abandoned already but occasionally, some guides or locals can be seen spending their night there.

A chromite mine pit in the mountain’s summit with my travel buddies in the picture: Gani, Genrose and Jun Ilao

Lucky that Gani Dionela was with me in this climb. Few of the pictures posted here was taken by him through his camera. Thank you, Gani.

The summit offers a 360-degree scenery where other Zambales mountains can be viewed on the eastern side, Lingayen Gulf to the north, and on the western side, the Zambales lowlands and the South China Sea stretching to as far as Pundaquit in San Antonio, Zambales.

A background of thick varicolored flowers and exotic plants at the summit

OTHER CONCERNS

The Registration site can provide a shower of P20 per person and an electric power where gadgets can be charged. Climb registration fee is P30 per person. There is an ample space for a maximum of 15 persons who wish to take a rest or sleep in the registration site for free. Certificate of climb completion is also available for P50. “Manang”, a volunteer, the one manning the registration just lives near the Registration site and she can be hired to cook food for a minimal fee. You can also order from her a whole chicken for “tinola” which you can eat after the climb.

HOW TO GET THERE

Take a Victory Liner bus from its Monumento Terminal with a sign board of Iba, Zambales for P372 preferably the last trip at 11:00 P.M. where you will arrive at 3:00 A.M. in the Iba Bus Terminal and take a tricycle going to the Registration site for P160 per head in Dampay Resettlement Area, Brgy. Salaza, Paluig, Zambales. Alternatively, you can take a Victory Liner bus from Monumento Terminal with a sign board of Sta. Cruz for P394 preferably the last trip at 11:30 P.M. and you will not drop in the Iba Bus Terminal but continue along the Zambales Regional Highway and drop at the corner of Dampay-Salaza where a tricycle for P200 will take you along 8-kilometer rough road going to the Registration site. The jump-off from the registration site starts at an altitude of 114 MASL.