Climbing Mount Apo 2015

Mt. Apo is on every Pinoy climber’s bucket list of mountains to summit. The highest peak of the Philippines is there waiting to be climbed, but for Luzon folks this endeavor is costly (airfare) and time-consuming (5 days in and out). So when I was on official travel in General Santos City, I jumped on the opportunity, traveled to Kidapawan City on the last day of the convention and climbed Mt. Apo, solo, over the weekend of May 22 to 24.

Day 1

At 9 AM, I was at Kidapawan City where I met my guide Richard and we proceeded to the Tourism Office. After having my bag tagged (my permits were arranged earlier by the local Travelscope travel agency), we visited the public market to stock up on foods and supplies. Next is a 40 minute habal-habal ride (P250 for me and the guide) to the jump-off point in Lake Agco, Barangay Ilomavis at 1,261 meters ASL.

We were trekking by 10:30 AM, starting in a short descent near a volcanic vent spewing out sulfurous fumes and ending up in Marbel River for the first river crossing. Six times we have to cross the river over bridges made out of bamboo. After the last river crossing, the trail started to get steeper as it plunged into the mossy forest. Near Lake Venado, the trail has 80-90 degrees inclines but climbers are aided by ladders made out of tree branches.  

Marbel River.

Mossy forest of Mt. Apo

Lake Venado camping ground

By 4:30 PM, we were Lake Venado which is at 2,304 MASL. Lake Venado is a lake but in the middle of summer was reduced to a small pond. It reminds me of Lake Agingay of Bulusan Volcano, but this one is in larger valley or clearing, and carpeted with grass. To the south is Mt. Apo summit, and at the northern edge is a campsite where there is at least a dozen tents, three sari-sari (variety) store and a latrine (with toilet bowl). My guide quipped that during peak season, Lake Venado becomes a barangay of Kidapawan inhabited by climber, guides, porters and enterprising Bagobos. Pulag-like temperature came after dusk, but I came prepared with four layer of clothing.

Day 2

Slept late. The plan was for a summit assault and back to Lake Venado in the afternoon. We started 9 AM up the grasslands of the summit (reminds me again of Bulusan Volcano) and reached the summit camp by 11 PM. There are many water sources atop Mt. Apo even in the middle of summer!

Summit of Mt. Apo

We loitered around the many peaks of Mt. Apo, visited the “dead lake”, the active vent, sampled the sweet wild berries and waited for the clouds to clear. But alas, the summit was blanketed in clouds the whole time I was there. By 12:30 PM, I was at the highest point of the Philippines at 2,973 MASL according to my GPS device. I had a moment of epiphany and cried – much to the surprise of my guide.

Highest legal high in the Philippines.

We had lunch and we were back at Lake Venado after an hour and half of descent. I slept again for the rest of afternoon. Next to my tent is a group of students from University of Southern Mindanao on a very, very fun climb. We shared dinner, food, and drinks. Quite a lively rowdy and drunken crowd by 10 PM, nearly exhausting the brandy stock of the sari-sari store.

Day 3

I woke up with a dull headache, which promptly dissipated after a cup of coffee. After breakfast with the USM guys, we started the trek down at 8 AM. It was 2 PM when we reached Lake Agco in a resort near the hot spring. I relished the Agco hot spring for an hour and relaxed my tired leg muscles. Hopping again to the habal-habal, we were back in Kadapawan City by 5 PM. My guide and I parted ways, I boarded a van to Davao City, and arrived there at 9 PM.

Lunch with USM climbers, near Marbel River

By Noel Mercado II