3D2N Mt. Kalatungan to Mt. Wiji Traverse

View of Mt. Kalatungan from Mt Wiji aka Mt Lumpanag Peak

Mt Kalatungan- Mt. Lumpanag
Entry/Exit Brgy Mendis Pangantucan Bukidnon
Philippine Trail Difficulty: 8/9
Mt Kalatungan 2907.08 MASL 5th Highest Mountain in the Philippines
Mt. Wiji 2819.78 MASL

Searching for another major climb this year, we found an event organized by CMPB Tours from Davao. The event was a three-day climb from Mt. Kalatungan which is the 5th highest peak in the Philippines to Mt. Lumpanag (also known as Mt. Wiji). The event fee covered food, transportation, guide fees, environmental fees, and with the inclusion of a dry-fit shirt. We were adamant to pursue the climb no matter what the weather was and we were thankful that on the day of the climb there was no brewing low pressure or any news of an incoming typhoon.

From Cebu, we arrived in Davao on August 15 at around 8: 30 PM. The group’s meet up and pick up place was at Jollibee Buhangin at 11 PM. From 11 PM to 5 AM we traveled to Pangantucan Bukidnon’s tourism office in preparation for the climb. Before arriving at the Tourism Office, we did a quick stopover on 7/11 to buy breakfast.

DAY 1

Tourism Office- Jump off point – Viewing Deck

Quick Stop Over at 7/11 before heading to the Tourism office

Waiting for Tourism office to Open (arrived too early)

Framed guidelines/fees for the climb

Tourism Office

Brief Orientation before heading out to Jump-off Point

Entrance near the gym

Jump off point, meeting the Brgy’s Datu, short orientation about the mountains

During the orientation, there was this reassuring part where we were told be had the best three days, two nights itinerary to fully enjoy and experience the climb. Some would do a 2-day itinerary but this is not recommended especially for beginners. Respect due to the mountains should be practiced at all times, no loud voices and trash should be strictly kept and not be littered. There’s also a curfew time of 7 PM, if your group is still on the trail past 7 PM, you have to pay Php 400 per hour.

The first day would be a 2-hour hike to the viewing deck. The start-off point was a not to steep ascend with muddy and a little bit rocky path. Cogon grasses mostly adorned the way. You’ll also pass by rows of coffee plants.

Start off point

Rickety bamboo bridge, careful steps

Muddy and rocky trail

Cogon Grasses everywhere

Coffe plants along the way

The welcoming view

Savanna like view

View Deck. An overnight stay here

Foggy view of the lower area

Setting up a tent for the night.

Food for the night

The cold wrapped its fingers around us during our overnight stay at the viewing deck. We slept on the second floor. Rain lashed while we slept and we were thankful for the shelter during the night, the roof overhead saved us from having to carry wet hiking materials which might have added to our load for a lengthy next day hike.

We woke up at 2 AM and prepared early. The next day climb would be a grueling hike to the Bamboo campsite with never-ending assault and an exhausting descend to the campsite.

DAY 2

Viewing Deck -Kikikoka Peak- Buko Buko sa Anay- Sako Camp- Junction- Mt. Kalatungan Peak- Bamboo Campsite

Early wake up call.

Dark and early ascend

Reaching Kikikoka Peak before dawn1906.95 MASL

Into the verdant jungle

View on the sidelines

More cogon grasses along the trail.

A little elevation and a stunning view awaits

More on looking back to see the view while ascending

Quick click and rest

Look how far we’ve come!

And as the sunlight unveils the majestic mountain ranges

Buko-Buko sa Anay (Termite’s Back) Has something to do with the shape of the landform at this point

The next area where we rested for a while was at the Buko Buko sa anay with Muleta Falls view. We took the opportunity to take a lot of pictures with the falls and mountain ranges in the background.

View at the sidelines again

View of Muleta Falls 2183.93 MASL

Higher Elevation, the view just gets better and better

Into the Mossy Forest

Moss-covered trees

More of the moss-covered plants

Rest Area

It’s a moss-full world

Another quick click

Clouds-kissed mountain view

Steeper trail

While resting, a leech got stuck on my trekking pole. We decided not to stay that long in the resting area.

The top looks promising but that’s not the end of the climb

For settles from time to time

Reaching Sako Camp 2496.64 MASL

Then there’s this muddy no escape trail.

We passed by several mossy forests areas before arriving, at last, the junction. We left our bags and proceeded to the peak which was another 30-45 minutes climb. Unfortunately, when we reached the peak there was no clearing so we stayed briefly before descending back to the junction.

Food preparation was also done at the junction and we waited for the rest of the group before we took our lunch. Rain poured while we huddled below the red tarpaulin. At around 1:30 PM we decided to continue hiking to the bamboo campsite. We battled the slippery and muddy terrain because of the rain. We arrived at around 4 PM on the campsite.

At the Junction. Food preparation by our guide Sir Burn and the porters

Slippery trail laced with tree roots

An abundance of moss-covered trees

Way to the Mt. Kalatungan Peak

Mt. Kalatungan peak, no clearing when we went there.

Fog all over the mountain

Camping at the Bamboo campsite

Day 3

Bamboo Camp-Mt Wiji Peak-Danger Zone-Lishun Creek-Brgy Mendis

Another early start of the day on Day 3. It was difficult to move with the sharp cold trying to push us back to our tents. We, later on, realized how important starting off early was when we were at the peak of Mt. Wiji. The climb was all the way assault to Mt. Wiji Peak. Then came the morning sunrise and the silencing sea of clouds view, worth it all rewards.

Early morning hike to Mt. Lumpanag/Mt. Wiji

Heaven on earth sea of clouds view

Sea of clouds everywhere

A quick stop to enjoy the moment

Mt. Kalatungan’s silhouette

Sunrise hues adorning the surroundings

Sunrise ready

The moon, like a lamp post guiding you to the peak

Enjoying the view

More pictures

Mt. Kalatungan staring to unveil its beauty

Sea of clouds getting clearer

A quick picture of us

Mt. Lumpanag aka Mt Wiji Peak

Famous tree in Wiji

Sea of clouds slowly dissipating

Good weather at the top

We were all lucky to be blessed with good weather while at the peak of Mt. Wiji. The blinding sunlight rays provided warmth while we ate our breakfast merrily. We started to descend at around 8:30 AM. We were to pass by two danger zones, two resting areas, Lishun creek (water source) then to Sitio Mahayahay, and at last the exit point which was also the entry point, Brgy Mendis.

The danger zone areas are knife-edge like areas. When we passed by, cliffs on both sides of the trail were covered by fog masking what’s supposed to be a dizzying view from up above.

The rest of the trail was mostly roots, mud, and rocks laden.

Starting the descend

The descent was full of cogon grasses and muddy trail

Fog covered view below

Still with the enchanting mossy forest

Unto the danger zone (Knife’s edge)

Passing by the danger zone

Another danger zone

Careful steps to prevent a dangerous plunge on the awaiting abyss

Another mossy forest

Muddy, rain kissed- path

Beauty fit for the Gods

To Lishun Creek

Happiness when you see the landmark

Water Source

Foggy embrace of the trees

Last Rest Area

Exiting the mossy forest, back in the open field again the back to Brgy Mendis.

We reached Brgy Mendis at around 3 PM and we waited for the van which will drop us off to our desired locations.

All our faces were painted with hard-earned happiness. Being able to conquer fears and rise above the challenge of the steep slopes and demanding trails is one of the most gratifying ways of spending time away from work.

In addition, for interesting things along the way which caught my attention, here are some: