Return to Mt. Kalisungan

      Due to an upcoming major climb in NOvember we had been doing a series of training climbs. This is the second one and I'm not totally sure if this will be the last. The last time I was in Mt. Kalisungan was 5 years ago when we were also training for a Pulag Akiki climb. NOt much had change on the mountain, except that the jumpoff is now different. I recall before we start in Eraes farm but now it moved to Brgy. Lamot 2 barangay hall. There is no registration fee but they asked for donation (which I think is fair enough)

Some thing never change though, just like before we also got lost. But this time its mainly due to a farmer showing us a short cut, it was indeed a shorter route but you have to get off a trail to go the the main trail - which took us a while to figure out. Aside from the traffic that took a big chunk of time going to the jumpoff, this is also the reason we decided to postpone our side trip to Bunga falls which is very close to this area. It was also raining so we thought the water in the falls might rise. This also made the trail very muddy. The trail was not as bad as Mt. Batulao during the rainy season. The same hikers trail is used by farmers livestock animals making the trail very beaten. Unlike most mountains the elevation starts at zero MASL, the actual height is 660++ so its actually a big gain for a dayhike.

View from the road

View from ER farm

Organic farm where you can pick before paying.
This is also where we clean up after the hike

Kuya caretaker

Muddy Trail

       We thought we will not be able to see a good view of the summit because it had been cloudy all day. But surprisingly after having patience to wait it out, the cloud covering cleared giving us a grand view of the surroundings. The famous 7 lakes of Laguna on the south and the Laguna de bay up north. Mt. Talim is also visible in the middle of this Bay. I never thought that Rambutan tree was abundant in this mountain. Rainy season is  Rambutan season so there is lots and lots of Rambutan fruits. There was so much fruit that its just fallling of the ground. I had never seen a rambutan tree so its my first time to come close and my first time to pick the fruit up front. So tasty and fresh. I guess around this season is the right time to climb this mountain. :D

7 Lakes of Laguna from the summit

They say these two are the cleanes of the seven

Talim Island as seen from the summit

Rambutan tree

Not just rambutan but dalandan (aka sentones)

Trees affected by coco-lisap fest. So sad to see this. Our farm in Cavite is also affected.

Our recovery food.

Mt. Talamitam - a re-boot climb

I had been on a indefinite climbing hiatus for the past two months. My last climb was a MakTrav (Makiling Traverse) which was supposed to be our training climb for Aguinaldo Trail. Unfortunately and sadly, a few days after this climb, my dad was confirmed to have stage 4 cancer - which has metastasise to his bones. Knowing that my Dads condition was critical, I choose to make the most my available time to be with him. My relationship with my Dad - as I grow older we had more than a father and son relationship. We became friends sharing each others endeavors. As the oldest living son, he allowed me to be a big part of the family decision.

It really pains me to see him very weak, since he was strong and healthy before the onset of the disease. He looks younger for his age of 72 and without any illness (maintenance meds and lifestyle disease as we call it). He died last July 3, two days before his birthday. I took a few additional leave after the burial and went back to work.

I had a hard time concentrating at the office, I ask my superior for a few extra day-off. I need some more time to re-BOOT myself. I need to do one of the things I love the most which is to climb. At first I had second thoughts since I had no physical activity for the past two months. No gym, jog or climb. I had been sicked four times ( I dont get sick easily) due to stress and fatigue.

A simple dayhike will do. We chose Mt. Talamitam in Nasugbu Batangas. I climb this mountain last 2007 and I promise myself not to hike it again. The heat during our climb was unbearable plus its a very open trail. I think the timing of climbing it during holyweek (summer) exponentially raise the discomfort.

But last Monday it was gloomy and my partner haven't climb this mountain so we chose this destination. Compared to last time, the trail is greener during this season. There were more crops on the mid-trail unlike before its an open field. There are also more houses now on early part of the trail, I dont recall seeing one on my first hike. The assault to the summit is now thick with kugon grass, I remember before it was barren newly burned by the farmers. 

Though most of the time the sky was covered with clouds,  the humidity and heat is still there. Base on my analysis, this is because of Mt. Batulao blocking the wind coming from the sea. And there is another mountain (Im not sure of its name) also blocking the other side, in other words this mountain is surrounded so dont expect breeze to cool you down.

Its very evident that were not fit. It took us two hours to reach the summit. We were also near overheating and exaustion. Imagine how difficult it was if this was an overnight hike, carrying all your gears and stuff. But the climb was still very rewarding, it remind me of how beautiful nature was. It amazing how serenity and quietness do to a mind.

 And since it was a Monday we were alone in the mountain, except for some farmers. I was hesitant to bring a car fearing I might be too tired to drive home, but fortunately there were some reserve strength I was able to pull through.


We all have our share of joy and sorrow in different ways. And from them we learn and grow. It is unpleasant to be in a "no choice" situation, of any type, but "this too shall pass". Smile, tough it out, and remember life is still beautiful no matter what.

Midway to the Summit

All Green

Mt Batulao as seen from Talamitam

Throwback, 2007 Climb

Scorched Earth

We insanely took the direct assault, not knowing there was a easier trail on the right side

Mt Palong (Full Exploration)

 Our first time to climb this mountain ranges was just an out of nowhere curiosity. But we saw a higher point, from the highest peak we where able to reach then. I made a promise that we will comeback to fully explore this mountain ranges. This was last 2008, so after five years we came back fully prepared gear and physical wise.

The mountain range can be found in Brgy. Calacapan, Initao, Misamis Oriental.    The jumpoff can be reached by a habal-habal (public motorcycle) ride from Initao town proper - a town one hour away from Cagayan de Oro (capital of Misamis Oriental). The jumpoff starts in Paña Family Camp, an exclusive family resort with pools and cottages in the middle of their farm. Actually they own part of the mountain ranges that is on the side of Calacapan.

Mt. Palong as seen from Pana Family camp

Pana Family Camp as seen in one of Mt. Palongs Peak

The mountain ranges is very similar to Mt. Batulao and the Subic Zambales mountains. Open trail with chunks of rocks and grass on the trail. The jumpoff height is 165 masl, the start of the hike starts on a farm and immediately becomes an assault. Continuous rolling climb until you reach the second highest peak, Lilangs Peak which we named on our first exploration. I remember there was a big tree on this peak but now its gone with only a big trunk left standing. From this height the trail becomes a rolling ridge that can also be use as a campsite. After around an hour from Lilangs peak, the summit can be reached,  the height of 480 masl.

Early morning view from one of the peak.

This is how the trail looks like

One of the rare pine tree

On the way to Lilang's peak

Lilangs Peak, you can see Initao town and its coast line - and so 
is the adjacent towns.

Summit view from Lilangs peak (the one with the electric towers)

The ridge that can also be use as a campsite

We saw some landslide

Onward to the summit!

Summit shot

We also saw a mining site in one of the mountains, but it seems to be non operational. Our guess is that this was stopped after typhoon Sendong hit Misamis Oriental.

former mining site

We had talk to Paña family and climb this destination can be coordinated with them, entry is from their farm. 

They agreed on the following rates:

• Registration - 20 per climber

• Guide Fee - 300 per 7 climbers/day. The guides will be source from their family since they are the one who knows the area. But later on will be the people in their Baranggay

Since this is new to the Paña family, if your interested in climbing this area please drop a comment to this blog with your email and I will course your interest through them. Later on  I will post their contact number.

Suggested Itinerary

06:00 AM ETD Cagayan de Oro via bus (Rural Transit)
07:00 AM ETA Initao town Proper, Take Habal-habal to Sitio Bansilang, Brgy. Calacapan
07:30 AM ETA Sitio Bansilang, Trek to Pana Family Camp Jumpoff (165 masl)
08:00 AM ETA Pana Family Camp Jumpoff
08:30 AM Start Trek
09:00 AM Pines Peak (peak1) 
09:15 AM Peak 2, ~375 masl
09:30 AM Peak 3, ~430 masl
10:00 AM Lilangs Peak, ~460 masl - Forward to rolling ridge.
10:50 AM Peak 4, ~460 masl
11:00 AM Summit - ~480 masl

Special Notes:

• Trail is open, wear proper sun protection.

• No water source along the trail.

• Minimal cellphone signal along the Baranggays of Initao, since it surrounded by mountains. But is strong on the mountain ranges

• Rocky trail, wear close shoes.

• We saw some local climbers from another point of entry since its a holyweek. Meaning this mountain might have been climb by the locals.

In the Know:

• Palong is a cebuano term for far away and quiet (lone).

Mt. Dayungan Traverse to Silanguin Cove

 Mt. Dayungan
    Since my first Nagsasa climb, I had been eyeing a mountain around the same area. This mountain was also very noticeable when your on top of Mt Balingkilat. Mt. Dayungan -  was first explored by YABAG Mountaineers way back 2007, though no Itinerary was released and no measured height was published. The trail is not established except, for those which are used by local hunters. 


    The start of the trail is similar to those of Cinco Picos, except for the part when you reached the mining road you need to turn right instead of the other way. From here, its all up. As you goes higher the trail becomes steeper and the boulders gets bigger. The mountain as with the other around the area are exposed, we trek very early but the sun was still able to catch us at its zenith. The heat plus the weight of our packs due to several liter of water made the climb extremely difficult. I told the group that this mountain is like the LoTR movie, the movie has several endings, but this mountain has several false summits. When you think the the other side of the horizon is already the peak, turns out theres another one...... and another one. The summit is not as big as Mt. Balingkilat but will fit several tents. The top has a 360 view of the surrounding with the sight of Silanguin cove as the most grand. The summit measures approximately 890 masl. 

Mountain so far away

Start of assault

Mt. Balingkilat on the other side

Ridge

Bouldering

More Boulders

Mt. Cinco Picos (local name Tatlong Tirad)

Silanguin Cove

The group at the Summit (photo courtesy of MikeB)

Traverse to Silanguin
   Since this mountain has no water source, I believe the trek should be an overnight one. Given that we want to make the most of our time, we did a dayhike that will traverse to Silanguin Cove. From what I know this is the first time this was done. I don't recommend this kind of climb to this mountain if you don't have a guide that knows the area very well. What we did was actually trail blaze all the way down. Getting into dense cugon grass, sharp boulders and rocks. The guide even show us fresh deer tracks. We completed our trek after 12 long hours, with only minimal rest. Mainly because we dont want to trailblaze in the dark. 

Luckily saw this Orchid looking flower

Steep Descent

Nearing the Beach

Silanguin Cove

   After more than a year since I've been to Silanguin Cove, much had change. The center part of the cove has now several resorts, to my dismay. The beach is also not as pretty due the recent typhoon that affected it. Several trees had been uprooted and the sand has been pushed towards the land. The pretty lagoons landscaped also changed. But still worth staying into, specially if you can find a secluded part.

Dayungan from the Beach, 2nd peak from the right is the Summit

Uprooted Trees

A parcel for sale????

Sphinx

Final Words
  The mountain for me is the most difficult to climb around the area. Lengthy approached of Mt. Cinco Picos plus the steepness of Mt. Balingkilat. Include also that there is no water source. I would like to thank MikeB (www.mikeb.info) and Kuya John of YABAG Mountaineers (www.yabag.org) for helping us out in doing this climb. I rarely post itineraries, but this one was an exception since I promised them to promote the place.

Mt. Dayungan Itinerary
Day 0
11:30PM - ETD Victory Bus Terminal Pasay  to Olongapo

Day 1
02:30AM ETA Olongapo, buy breakfast and lunch
03:30AM ETD Olongapo to Subic via Jeep
04:30AM ETD Subic to Cawag via Trike, Register, Settle guides and permits.
05:30AM Start of Trek, Cawag Settlement
06:00AM ETA Pinaglabanan river
07:15AM BAyukan River / Breakfast
        Start of assault, last water source
09:00AM Ridge, connects to other trails around the area
10:30AM False Summit
11:30AM Summit ~890 MASL


edit 03/16/2013

According to MikeB, Jimmy Ablong is not anymore the chieftain. The locals have elected 
a new one. Please see below for new list of contact persons in Cawag.

- 0939 837 8265 - Chieftain Juanito Balosbalos (updated cell# 02/10/2017)


for more info on registration and guide fees click here.