Summiting Mt. Apo - "There's no shortcut to the top" ( Day 3 )

continuation of : Summitting Mt. Apo - " There is no shortcut to the top." (Day 2)

Day 3 (Aug 13) : The Descend

The third and last day of the climb. It was a very cold night again, much colder compare on the first night at Upper Sabwag camp. It was raining whole night but somehow we have restfull sleep. Wake -up time again suppose to be 5:30am. and as usual masarap matulog dahil tagos sa buto yung lamig.

Beautiful morning view of the summit camp greets us with full of fog while we drink our hot milo and coffee to start the day.

Beautiful foggy morning at summit camp. We're only the campers this day. We own the place today. 

Beautiful foggy morning at the summit campsite. 

Summiting Mt. Apo - "There is no shortcut to the top" ( Day 2)

continuation of : Summiting Mt. Apo -"There is no shortcut to the top." (Day 1)

Day 2 ( Aug 12, 2013) : Going to the summit.

Thankfull for a good sleep last night. Today is our second day, this will be a full push whole day trek going up to the summit camp.. 

Second day wake -up call is suppose to be 5:00 early in the morning, due to the very cold temperature our body feels so lazy to get- up and so good to sleep inside my sleeping bag. It was a very cold night but indeed a restfull one. 

After 30 minutes of wake -up call we decide to get up and drink hot milo and coffee to relieve the cold. Prepare, cook our breakfast and pack lunch. We eat full breakfast, as we need more energy for this full push.

Well, sorry Dang that i include this "Sino ang nakatapon ng tuna spaghetti?" (Peace Dang). 

We pack our things, clear the campsite of our trash and ready to leave. Our next target for that day this day is the summit campsite with an estimated 8 hours climb.



Group picture on our second day at Upper Sabwag campsite. Ready to assault the summit. 

(L-R) Shao, Sir Rodel, Me, Dang and Loyd

At around 8:00 am we are ready to go. Still the temperature is cold but as we continue to trek our body temperature is getting high 'coz of the exerted energy. The trail is a forested area and a rugged one. Some tree trunks with moss are along the trail. We stop at the Baroring river to take some rest. We're 1 -hour ahead when we reach the river 'coz on the sign at Upper Sabwag campsite it is 3 -hours (wow yabang naman). Take rest, re -fill our water container and take some pictures.

Taking time to pose on refreshing place at Baroring river.

Summiting Mt. Apo - "There is no shortcut to the top." (Day 1)

Continuation of : Summiting Mt. Apo - Preparation, Tips, Itinerary and Budget

Day 1 ( Aug 11, 2013) : The Jump -off

Well, finally this is the day! It's a dream come true on my travel wishist. We will climb the highest mountain here in the Philippines - Mt. Apo. With an elevation of 2,956 MASL. After 1 -year preparation and flight booking.

I have arrived first at Davao City 3 days before our climb together with my friend and travel buddy Jinky. Our hired service van fetch me at the dorm where i was staying for 3 days and go to the airport to fetch my companions for this climb. Loyd, Shao and Dang. Loyd and Shao was my companion also on our last G2 climb at Romblon; and Dang was a first batch of the G2 crew together with Loyd . I am thankfull, that i meet these fellow mountaineers with a true passion on mountaineering and we became friends. To our eager lead organizer Migo Loyd ,who organize the climb and made this climb possible. 

At past 6:00am they finally arrive, carrying their full backpacks and with full spirit to summit the highest mountain in the Philippines. We go to some karinderias to eat full breakfast. It is a good hearty breakfast; tasting the local food on Davao City. Buy our packed lunch, buy some additional food supply and other needed stuff (syempre d pwede makakalimutan ang stock ng yosi at inumin), and finally going to Digos City on the jump-off point.

The jump -off point is from Kapatagan, Digos City, it is 3 -4 hours travel Davao City with a long winding and rough road. Mt. Apo's magnificent summit is visible as we are appoaching on the jump -off point. We can't wait to experience the challenge of climbing the magnificent summit. 

Breath taking view of Mt. Apo summit, as we are approaching on the jump -off point.

The service van drop us on proper town of Kapatagan, Digos City and we transfer to a pedicab going at the jum -off point. The road is more rugged than on the previous that only tough vehicle or 4 -wheeler vehicle can sustain. We wait for our porter (Mang K- aka Kulas), do some re -packing of our backpacks, some stretching exercise and take group pictures after we arrive at the jump -off point. 

Group picture 4 souls with one determination. "Their is no shortcut to the top"

With the G2 crew and Mt. Apo crew - (L-R) Shao, Dang, Me and Loyd