How great it is when you are very close to what our creator has blessed us. The feeling of fulfillment, unexplained joy, contentment and the appreciation of life – through hard work.
Mossy forest.
All of our group share the same experience above as we summit Mount Dulang Dulang, the second highest mountain in the Philippines which is located at Sitio Bol-ogan, Barangay Sungco, Lantapan Bukidnon last March 20 to 23, 2008.
Preparation was three (3) months ahead before the scheduled climb. We gathered information on how and what are the requirements, it includes the permission from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Malaybalay, Bukidnon. A series of meetings with the participants to update on the fare and fees to be collected, the Itinerary of the climb and Meal Itinerary was also discussed on each meetings.
Stop over for breakfast
We waited for a Rural Bus that will stop at Malaybalay City since non-stop aircon bus could not drop us at Malaybalay. We departed from Davao Ecoland terminal at around 5 in the morning, bus fare is 270 pesos, after 1 hour and 35 minutes the bus stop at the Quarantine area of Lorega, Kitao-tao. An hour passed again and we stop for 20 minutes at Salawagan, Quezon for our breakfast meal.
We reached Valencia city at exactly 9:15 in the morning and the bus stop again for 20 minutes. As we arrive at Malaybalay City’s Terminal at around 10:20 in the morning, we buy our needed things to bring for the climb and this includes ritual requirements like 3 white feathered live chickens, Mallorca Wine, Vino Kulafu, Coins, red and white linen and eggs.
Road to Lantapan
We arranged a jeepney that would bring us to Sitio Bol-ogan, Barangay Lantapan for a fee of 75 pesos per head. Quarter to 1 O’ Clock as we departed from Malaybalay city terminal and the stunning views on our way to the jump-off site is very relaxing, we could barely see the tip of Mount Dulang Dulang since it was covered with clouds but its wide mountain range is visible which covers more mountains.
Jump off going to Talaandig tribe village
We Arrive at 3:30 in the afternoon at the Jump-off site Sitio Bol-ogan, as we hike from the main highway going up to the Village of the Talaandig tribes, we are greeted by the tribe Chieftain Datu Saumay Sabayon and was very generous by inviting us to sleep over his house.
Talaandig Village
This area is an ancestral domain of the tribe, A tribal forest guard protects this area. A traditional ritual sacrifice was prepared by the IPs (Indigenous People) that are living in the slopes of Mount Dulang Dulang and will be carry out by a Babaylan (priest for catholics ) of the tribe.
Ritual ceremony
Purpose of the ritual is to ask guidance from the Gods of the mountain for a safe climb.
Lights off at 10 in the evening.
March 21, 2008 and wake up call is 4:30 in the early morning, the group prepared our packs and breakfast as well as our lunch meal as packed lunch.
An hour of open trail
We started to ascend at 8:00 am and walking on an open trail for 1 hour and we can see the landscape of cultivated lands planted with vegetables or “Utanon” as our Talaandig brothers calls it.
Mount Kalatungan is very visible with spectacular views of the plains offer an escape from the rush of the highway- what a relief.
Rest before entering the thick forest
Four (4) hours has passed and we reached the small stream of the Alanib river, the gushing water was so cold and chilling.
As we go on, the flora thickens with tall canopies of trees which branches and trunks turned green due to moss, the trail is muddy since tall trees prevents the ray of the sun from penetrating inside the dense forest.
An ancient feeling astounds us about its mysterious aura.
We savor the great landscape of the mountain while heading to the summit.
4 pm in the afternoon and we reached Manny’s Garden- a very mystical area in the forest.
We arrived at the camp site peak 5:40 in the afternoon. It was a chilling experience at the camp site peak since it started raining slowly and we are just pitching our tents and preparing for our dinner meal.
It rained so hard until 11 pm and the climate is so cold outside our tent that we could hardly talk straight.
We sleep early that night since we are all exhausted for a long ascent.
Spectacular sunrise at the top of Mount Dulang Dulang
Sunrise call was initiated and we did a short walk to the peak for about 5 minutes– I was shivering as the cold wind touches my body even I was wrap with bulk jackets and windbreakers. It was an amazing view at the peak of the mountain as we can see Mount Kitanglad at the left side and on the right side Mount Apo is very visible! Whhooow!
Mount kitanglad as seen at Mount Dulang Dulang peak
A great treat for me that I see so many mountains. Cellular network signals are not a problem at the peak, still I greeted good mornings to my love ones via sms and call. Hehehe I even checked my mail and my ym. Yeeehha!
Wearing a face of fulfillment and contentment
We met other groups at the campsite peak one of the groups are the Zamboanga Fearless Mountaineers Society (ZAFMOS).
Climbing is limited to only 15 participants per group. As we prepare our breakfast and fixing our tent in preparation for our descent ,the last group descended at 11 in the morning since we are clearing the camp area for any garbage left by other climbers from the past- indeed there is. It is a shame how irresponsible other climbers are.
Mannys’ Garden
We reached Manny’s garden for 20 minutes and after 3 hours we, the sweeper group arrived at the Village and descend faster than we expected since it is muddy but we made it earlier.
Lead pack group arrive earlier at around 2:00 pm.
Our contact jeepney arrived 4PM and we thanked and exchange good byes to the Talaandig village people who are very warm in welcoming us on our first day. It was a two hours ride again going back to downtown Malaybalay city and we headed to our good guide Ronan Montero place.
Ronan at the shop.
text/call: 09187114920 for any mountaineering gears you need when you’re at Malaybalay.
The Panahik Outdoor Shop located at Cudal Street. Ronan helped us all the needed requirements for us to get a permit and authorization to climb Mount Dulang Dulang since we, 15 participants are all located here in Davao City. I also would like to thank Sarah Elizar for organizing this successful climb.
As one of our co climber said “ Wala manalaw ang tiil sa kalisod sa way pu-as na tungas” hehehe
Here are our expenses from this outdoor adventure:
Davao to Malaybalay non-air (Round trip) 540 Pesos
Malaybalay to Sitio Bul-ogan (Round trip) 150
PAMB Permit 50
Ritual fee (Divided by 15 we, paid 35 each) 500
Local guide & porter fee (based on 2 days @ 100 1500
Here are our final climb itinerary :
(Time specified in this write-up is based on the last man or sweeper. If I said 5:40 that was the time that last man or sweeper of the group arrived, some participants of our group arrived as early as 4 PM in the afternoon.)
Day 1
0500 From Davao Ecolang terminal, take bus to Malaybalay
1020 ETA Malaybalay market, buy needed things1245 Take jeep to Lantapan
1330 ETA Lantapan. Courtesy call with Datu
1800 Prepare for next day’s climb, dinner
1900 Attend ritual sacrifice by the Talaandig Babaylan
2100 Lights out
Day 2
0800 Start trek
1200 Lunch at Alanib river (water source)
1600 ETA Manny’s Garden
1645 ETA Campsite near summit . Setup tents
1700 Visit the summit (just 5 minutes away)
Day 3
0430 Wake up go to the summit to watch sunrise. Spot Mt. Apo
0630 Breakfast
0800 Break camp
1100 Start descent
1330 Back at water source
1530 Back at jump-off point; take jeepney back to Malaybalay
1730 Take jeep or bus back to Davao City
Our group successfully and vigorously scaled the summit of Mount Dulang Dulang with an elevation of 2,938 masl. Muscle pain comes next. bang!
Hehehe We all back to work by Monday.
To all who summit :
