Majority of us arrived in Davao on November 7, 2012 on the
first (and second) flight to Davao. There were 8 of us so we rented a van to go
to downtown and check in at our dormitel in Green Windows along Mt. Apo street,
near Davao Doctors Hospital. Since a lot of us were sleepless from the very
early flight that we took, we basically had breakfast, slept while waiting for
the others, shopped for supplies in the nearby Gaisano South mall, took a nap
again, and had dinner in Barbecue Boss. (Yes, we could have done a Crocodile
Farm tour or something but we didn’t… Maybe if we were a bit more organized!)
On our second day in Davao (Nov. 8), we woke up around 5 am, had breakfast in the dormitel at around 6 am, and was finally on our way to Digos around 7 am. We arrived in the Municipal Hall around 9 am, waited for our permits to be printed, and was finally at the Barangay Covered Courts at around 11:30 am. While Deo negotiated with the habal-habal, most of us went around the area, scouting for food! Hehe The habal-habal ride consists of two hikers/bike and a 30-to-45-minute dirt road to get to the jump off point. We had to walk amidst the beautiful plains for about 30 minutes before we reach another stop-over and had lunch.
Since we were late in starting our hike, we only reached the
first camp, the E (for emergency) camp. The guides and porters discouraged us
from continuing for another 2-3 hours of night trekking just to get to the
Goody-Goody camp, which was the original plan. It was a good thing, too because
the trail was technical, and second, there were another group of campers at the
time.
On our third day (Nov. 9, 2012), it was a long hiking day. Since we were late, we woke up around 4 am, ate breakfast, break camp, and started hiking. And hiking. And hiking. In the forest, you would appreciate the technical routes of branches and trees, stones, leaves. I tried to appreciate the animals and birds, but I couldn’t find any... But I can listen to them sometimes. I appreciated the shades given by the canopies of the forest and the anti-slip hold given by the rocks.
We reached the Goody-Goody camp around 8 am, where the other campers were eating breakfast and breaking camp. Deo was now pressuring us at this time to hurry our pace because there was another group of campers. So much for appreciating the plants and the trees and the route, right?
After the forest were the boulders. Since Mt. Apo is a volcano, there was a part full of many rocks that you have to climb. It was murderous because of the scorching sun. There was hardly any shade because the clouds were below us! Only the soothing wind was rewarding. I just had to stop for a while to appreciate its cool breeze. But then, the cold wind was also harder to breathe especially when one is carrying a heavy pack. I did feel my nostrils constrict because I have a cold, making it harder for me to breathe, especially once the air gets cooler. I can feel my heart beating fast because of the effort I had to endure.
Since I wanted a slow pace, despite the urgent pressure coming from Deo, I just volunteered to be the sweeper. That plus, I was just feeling really sad and down on this second day of climb. It’s like unconsciously, I don’t want to reach the summit… yet. I was so glad in taking my time, going through my own pace. I really don’t want to hurry along. But on an ordinary day, I would have like the challenge of going through those rocks, despite the heat. I don’t know what’s wrong with me… or do I? I was just so slow that people were offering me water and chocolate, and the porter offered to carry my bag. Since I was a bit dizzy at the time with dimness of vision, I relented and gave him my bag. Despite that, I still had easy fatigability and occasional dimness of vision, so I was just going through my own pace, letting them all go ahead of me, as long as one of the porters stayed with me. (I diagnosed myself with syncope!) Eventually, the climbers from the other group overtook me… and I reached their sweeper hehe We talked for a while, and I realize that talking with locals and new people seemed to lift my spirits. I don’t know why. It’s like… I’m just sad with the other group. Why is that? I don't know why, I'm happy with them... right? But that will be further reflected upon in my other blog.
Anyway, on a less personal note, after the boulders, there was the place they called “Boracay” because of the sand. There was a big rock where we could rest and shade ourselves from the sun. By the time I arrived, the rest of the Backpackers United started the trek going through the almost 90 degrees. The other group of campers rested and had their lunch there. The sweeper team, consisted of Leo, Victor, Marlon, and me stayed for a while. Leo and I wanted to even sleep because it was so hot, and it was 1-2 hours away from the camp site anyway. I just wanted to trek when there’s no more sun. But there was a problem of lack of water supply at this time, because of the heat of the sun and the boulders. I wasn’t hungry, more of thirsty only, and just really sleepy. (Well, could be because of this deep sadness that I’m feeling.)
Eventually, around 1 pm, we started our trek going up the
almost-90-degree wall. It took us less than 30 minutes, and when we reached the end,
Lake Venado was waiting for us. We walked around, had our pictures taken. The
rest of the BU was also up at the summit, waving down at us. Anyway, it was
another 30 minutes of up trek going to the campsite, where they were already
having lunch.
I wasn’t really hungry; I was just thirsty, dirty, and sleepy. So I changed clothes and slept, barely ate lunch and just drank. I woke up when there was a little drizzle, a little time before we had to hike to try for a sunset summit. Not everyone was into it, but since I had a mission, I just HAD to do it. We had to wear our raincoats over jackets and thermal wears and shirts, because it was cold, reaching about 12 degrees, if I remember correctly.
We hiked to the summit, hoping for a view of the sunset. It was just hope, but it was successful! We had a glimpse! People were screaming whenever we get a clearing! Hehe We also had to remove our raincoats and jackets for pictorial purposes hehe But soon, it became dark and we had to go down. And from that glimpse, I knew I had my answer. Sigh… Anyway, we had dinner inside the tent. Hardly anyone wanted to drink, so we barely had socials. (Besides, everyone knew each other anyway.)
When one of us went out the tent to pee, he commented on the stars. Some of us who were still awake (Rose, JM, coach, and me) stargazed for a while until we were freezing! They were just SOOOO many of them, so many bright stars! It would have been nice to sit somewhere, stargaze in silence, and reflect on life for a while. It was so beautiful, I could have cried if I was alone. I saw two shooting stars. And I knew it was another sign. My last night in the mountain was just perfect.
We woke up around 4 am, break camp, and went to the summit. There was a bit of a drizzle at this time, so I wasn’t in a hurry that there would be a clearing (and yes, I was again the sweeper by choice). Leo and I were the sweepers, but we didn’t go directly to the topmost area of the summit, where most of the BU where located. We went to the rock nearest the sunrise. Hence, when the sunrise appeared, Leo and I were in the pictures! Hehe That sunrise summit was so majestic I could have cried if I wasn’t shouting for happiness and excitement. If I was alone. If I had my own thoughts only to ponder. But since there were a lot of us, and we were all excited and ecstatic, I just can’t cry! But it was a perfect sunrise! (That now, my eyes are getting misty reminiscing about that sunrise, writing about it.)
At around 7 am, we eventually had to start going down. After all, there were the deadly boulders made murderous by the scorching sun. We don’t want to go through the deadly sun, right? (How I wish that we just traversed through the Kidapawan Trail. But my colleague said that Kidapawan was the easiest trail, so Kapatagal was still harder than Kidapawan.) We eventually stopped near the end of the boulders for breakfast.
It was easier going downhill than uphill, obviously, as we were able to finish the route in one day. And by this time, I was more accepting about my fate, so I was also happier I think. (That’s how I fooled myself anyway.) We were listening to our own music portals and singing our hearts out while hiking! Hehe
Nope, this climb was not a blurry hazy memory or dream. It was a memorable climb.
On our second day in Davao (Nov. 8), we woke up around 5 am, had breakfast in the dormitel at around 6 am, and was finally on our way to Digos around 7 am. We arrived in the Municipal Hall around 9 am, waited for our permits to be printed, and was finally at the Barangay Covered Courts at around 11:30 am. While Deo negotiated with the habal-habal, most of us went around the area, scouting for food! Hehe The habal-habal ride consists of two hikers/bike and a 30-to-45-minute dirt road to get to the jump off point. We had to walk amidst the beautiful plains for about 30 minutes before we reach another stop-over and had lunch.
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| At the Brgy Covered Courts |
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| Backpackers United at the Drop-off Point of the Habal-Habals (Photo Credits: Victor Ayson) |
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| via Kapatagan Trail (plains) with rows and rows of vegetable plants |
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| Nice view (and cute puppies) while stopped-over for lunch (Photo Credits: JM Esmeralda) |
Mt. Apo was, is really beautiful. From the plains, you could
see views of hills, greens, organized crops together. Knowing it is possible my
last climb, I tried to take everything in. I wanted to slow down, stop, and
appreciate the little things: the plants lining our path, the cool fresh
breeze, listening to the wind roaring and animal sounds in the forest. I appreciated
every step that I have to endure, every ounce of strength that I mustered,
every branch and tree that I hanged on to climb. Nope, I didn’t try to
appreciate the muddy trails, especially where my shoe would go in. But I did
feel for the sweat falling off my forehead and into my shirt, my pants, my
shoes, and the trail. I didn’t even bother wiping them.
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| A Very Muddy Trail Indeed |
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| Backpackers United at the Emergency Camp (which I forgot the official name) |
On our third day (Nov. 9, 2012), it was a long hiking day. Since we were late, we woke up around 4 am, ate breakfast, break camp, and started hiking. And hiking. And hiking. In the forest, you would appreciate the technical routes of branches and trees, stones, leaves. I tried to appreciate the animals and birds, but I couldn’t find any... But I can listen to them sometimes. I appreciated the shades given by the canopies of the forest and the anti-slip hold given by the rocks.
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| Nearby water-source to our camp (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| Parang sa Kanlaon trail lang, trees to go over... (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| ... and trees to go under... (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| Goody-Goody Camp (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
We reached the Goody-Goody camp around 8 am, where the other campers were eating breakfast and breaking camp. Deo was now pressuring us at this time to hurry our pace because there was another group of campers. So much for appreciating the plants and the trees and the route, right?
After the forest were the boulders. Since Mt. Apo is a volcano, there was a part full of many rocks that you have to climb. It was murderous because of the scorching sun. There was hardly any shade because the clouds were below us! Only the soothing wind was rewarding. I just had to stop for a while to appreciate its cool breeze. But then, the cold wind was also harder to breathe especially when one is carrying a heavy pack. I did feel my nostrils constrict because I have a cold, making it harder for me to breathe, especially once the air gets cooler. I can feel my heart beating fast because of the effort I had to endure.
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| End of the covered forest, and gasp, start of the scorching heat (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| With the sulfur coming out of the volcano (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| Such a mesmerizing view while going up the boulders (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| Pang inspiration picture ito. Melted by the scorching heat pero going up pa din (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| The rocks seem to go on forever... (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
Since I wanted a slow pace, despite the urgent pressure coming from Deo, I just volunteered to be the sweeper. That plus, I was just feeling really sad and down on this second day of climb. It’s like unconsciously, I don’t want to reach the summit… yet. I was so glad in taking my time, going through my own pace. I really don’t want to hurry along. But on an ordinary day, I would have like the challenge of going through those rocks, despite the heat. I don’t know what’s wrong with me… or do I? I was just so slow that people were offering me water and chocolate, and the porter offered to carry my bag. Since I was a bit dizzy at the time with dimness of vision, I relented and gave him my bag. Despite that, I still had easy fatigability and occasional dimness of vision, so I was just going through my own pace, letting them all go ahead of me, as long as one of the porters stayed with me. (I diagnosed myself with syncope!) Eventually, the climbers from the other group overtook me… and I reached their sweeper hehe We talked for a while, and I realize that talking with locals and new people seemed to lift my spirits. I don’t know why. It’s like… I’m just sad with the other group. Why is that? I don't know why, I'm happy with them... right? But that will be further reflected upon in my other blog.
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| Finally reached Boracay at the endless mountain of boulders (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| "Yes, we're going to scale that um 80-degree wall behind us in 30 minutes" (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| Fight! Kaya pala with less than 30 minutes i-assault eh! (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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Nag mumuni-muni hehe (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson)
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I wasn’t really hungry; I was just thirsty, dirty, and sleepy. So I changed clothes and slept, barely ate lunch and just drank. I woke up when there was a little drizzle, a little time before we had to hike to try for a sunset summit. Not everyone was into it, but since I had a mission, I just HAD to do it. We had to wear our raincoats over jackets and thermal wears and shirts, because it was cold, reaching about 12 degrees, if I remember correctly.
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| Our campsite (still early in the afternoon, why do we have to hurry through the boulders anyway??) (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| Resting on top of the near-by bleacher-like bench hehe (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
We hiked to the summit, hoping for a view of the sunset. It was just hope, but it was successful! We had a glimpse! People were screaming whenever we get a clearing! Hehe We also had to remove our raincoats and jackets for pictorial purposes hehe But soon, it became dark and we had to go down. And from that glimpse, I knew I had my answer. Sigh… Anyway, we had dinner inside the tent. Hardly anyone wanted to drink, so we barely had socials. (Besides, everyone knew each other anyway.)
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| Sunset picture at the summit (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
When one of us went out the tent to pee, he commented on the stars. Some of us who were still awake (Rose, JM, coach, and me) stargazed for a while until we were freezing! They were just SOOOO many of them, so many bright stars! It would have been nice to sit somewhere, stargaze in silence, and reflect on life for a while. It was so beautiful, I could have cried if I was alone. I saw two shooting stars. And I knew it was another sign. My last night in the mountain was just perfect.
We woke up around 4 am, break camp, and went to the summit. There was a bit of a drizzle at this time, so I wasn’t in a hurry that there would be a clearing (and yes, I was again the sweeper by choice). Leo and I were the sweepers, but we didn’t go directly to the topmost area of the summit, where most of the BU where located. We went to the rock nearest the sunrise. Hence, when the sunrise appeared, Leo and I were in the pictures! Hehe That sunrise summit was so majestic I could have cried if I wasn’t shouting for happiness and excitement. If I was alone. If I had my own thoughts only to ponder. But since there were a lot of us, and we were all excited and ecstatic, I just can’t cry! But it was a perfect sunrise! (That now, my eyes are getting misty reminiscing about that sunrise, writing about it.)
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| Yey, the sun made it through the clouds! :) Ecstatic and very good position for pictorials hehe (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| Shh... Quiet... Mt Apo is talking to me here (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| Backpackers United at the Sunrise of the Summit of My. Apo |
At around 7 am, we eventually had to start going down. After all, there were the deadly boulders made murderous by the scorching sun. We don’t want to go through the deadly sun, right? (How I wish that we just traversed through the Kidapawan Trail. But my colleague said that Kidapawan was the easiest trail, so Kapatagal was still harder than Kidapawan.) We eventually stopped near the end of the boulders for breakfast.
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| Going down the steep wall, happy, hot, and covered in my white jacket. Time to take it off! (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| Quick Picture in Boracay (Photo Credit: Leo Pineda) |
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| Dahil kulang ng water, we used the berries on the trail as trail food and juice. Berry power! (Photo Credit: Victor Ayson) |
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| Breakfast Amidst the Boulders. Ayun ako o... Nasa pinaka shadiest part ng picture na ito hehe (Photo Credit: Deo Calumba) |
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| Back to the Kapatagan Trail (with Mt. Talomo, I think, behind) - Photo Credit: Victor Ayson |
It was easier going downhill than uphill, obviously, as we were able to finish the route in one day. And by this time, I was more accepting about my fate, so I was also happier I think. (That’s how I fooled myself anyway.) We were listening to our own music portals and singing our hearts out while hiking! Hehe
We had lunch in the place where we had our lunch on the
first day. Some played with the cute puppies there, while some played
basketball, while yours truly sat, put my feet up, and tried to get some rest
(failed because we just chatted)! Afterwards, it was another short walk to the jump-off point. It was
another round of habal-habal to the barangay basketball court, and a jeepney
ride back to Davao City.
Nope, this climb was not a blurry hazy memory or dream. It was a memorable climb.
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| Kapatagan Trail on a clear sunny day (The first day was rainy so it was cloudy) - Photo Credit: Victor Ayson |
