Conquering Mt. Apo: A Journey to the Sky

At exactly 6 PM on January 18, 2025, Nely and I left my home in Mintal, Davao City with excitement and a bit of nervousness in our chests. We hopped on a jeepney bound for Ulas, where our real journey began. From there, we boarded a bus heading to Digos City, with our sights set on Kapatagan. Along the way, we met up with our fellow ka-rampa, Blooming, who was just as eager to conquer Mt. Apo as we were. The road was quiet, and the night was slowly settling in. By the time we reached Culan in Kapatagan via tricycle, it was already past 9 PM. This was our designated homestay — a humble shelter and our final stop before taking on the mighty Mt. Apo.

Sleep was a luxury we never got to enjoy. We rested, yes, but our excitement was louder than our fatigue. Before midnight struck, we were already preparing for the climb. I was with my ever-adventurous ka-rampas, Blooming and Nely, our friendly and reliable tour guide, Remlar, and a solo joiner Lani who quickly blended with our group.

Trekking through the dark forest, our only lights were our headlamps. The silence of the night was broken only by the sound of our footsteps and the occasional laughter. We brought our baon (packed meals) for breakfast and lunch, included in the tour package, though food was the last thing on our minds at that moment. Around 3 AM, we arrived at Camp 1. There, we took a short rest and warmed ourselves with coffee, but the cold was biting and merciless. Rather than freezing in place, we chose to keep moving forward.

By 5 AM, just as we reached the foot of the boulders, the sunrise greeted us. Golden rays pierced through the darkness, casting a magical glow over the trail. The beauty and excitement were indescribable — we were really getting closer to the summit.

But the real challenge began at the boulders. It was a brutal stretch. The heat of the exposed trail, the steep climb, the sulfuric fumes, and the monstrous boulders pushed us to our limits. My legs felt like they were breaking with every step, but we paused now and then — not just to rest, but to eat breakfast and admire the raw, powerful beauty surrounding us.

Near 9 AM, we reached the crater. The wind was howling, the cold made me tremble, but the view — oh, the view — was breathtaking. A crystal-clear lake sat peacefully below, shimmering like ice under the sun. There, with nature’s masterpiece as our backdrop, we had our lunch.

After regaining strength, we pressed on to the Mother Peak. The final stretch was nearly vertical, like climbing a 90-degree wall. It was punishing, but my heart was full. When we finally reached the summit — the highest point in the Philippines — a moment of silence swept over me. The skies cleared just in time, giving us an unobstructed view of the majestic Mt. Apo in all its glory. It was truly a dream come true. Then slowly, fog began to roll in, wrapping the summit in a soft white blanket, as if heaven itself had descended upon us.

Before noon, we began our descent. It was still a challenge, but compared to the ascent, it felt more manageable. I even enjoyed hopping from one boulder to another like a child playing on giant rocks — despite the creeping muscle pain. I took my time on the way down, pacing with other climbers and sharing stories and laughter along the way.

By almost 5 PM, I finally reached the base, where a row of habal-habal drivers waited. I climbed on one and rode back to our homestay for ₱300. As soon as I arrived, I felt overwhelming relief and gratitude — I was alive, tired, sore, but very much alive. I treated myself to a warm cup of noodles that tasted like heaven in that moment.

I packed my things and waited for my ka-rampas to return. Despite the exhaustion, my heart was full. That climb was the hardest yet most fulfilling journey I’ve taken — a true test of endurance, spirit, and will.

By past 8 PM, we began our journey home. And before the clock struck midnight, I was finally back in my home sweet home—physically worn but spiritually full.

Breakdown of my Mt. Apo Day Tour Package:

Tour Package: Php 1,900.00

Breakfast and Lunch (Trail): Php 600.00

Dinner: Php 70.00

Homestay: Php 200.00

Other Expenses (Foods/Water): Php 200.00

Fare:

Residence to Ulas: Php 20.00

Ulas to Digos City: Php 240.00 (2-way)

Tricyle to Terminal (Bound to Kapatagan): Php 20.00

Tricycle to Culan: Php 400.00 (2-way)

Habal-habal: Php 300.00

Taxi (Ulas-Home): Php 120.00

Total: Php 4,070.00

My First Hike to Mt. Kulago: From Couch to Summit

When 2024 started, I wasn’t chasing fitness trends or weight goals—I simply wanted to move more, feel better, and live a little healthier. My routine was simple: daily walks, light jogs, a bit of cycling. I wasn’t aiming for anything extreme.

Then one random day at work, during a casual lunch, my officemates shared their past experiences in hiking and mountain climbing.

“It must be very tiring,” I told them.

They laughed and replied, “Yes, but once you're up the mountain, the experience is amazing.”

That sentence sparked something in me.

The Spark: Discovering Mt. Kulago

Later that week, I started searching for beginner-friendly hikes—and as if by magic, Facebook started showing me mountains. One caught my eye: Mt. Kulago in Bukidnon, also known as the "Hummingbird of Bukidnon."

As I dug deeper, I found out it offered breathtaking views and side trips to Communal Ranch and Cedar Falls. The photos looked like scenes from a postcard. I checked the tour dates and fees and immediately shared it with my officemates.

They were in.

The Plan: A Weekend Escape

We booked an overnight tour for January 20–21, 2024, with a package rate of ₱2,500 per person.

Here’s a breakdown of what I spent:

Expense Cost

Tour Fee ₱2,500

Tent (Rent) ₱200

Tourism Fee ₱30

Habal-Habal Ride (Optional) ₱100

Food & Misc. Expenses ₱500

Total ₱3,330

The Journey Begins

At around 12:20 AM, I met Nikay and Nely at Petron, Mintal, just a few meters from home. We waited for our van ride from Davao to Bukidnon. The van was packed—I had a hard time getting a seat—but excitement made it bearable.

By 5:30 AM, we reached Maramag, Bukidnon, for a quick breakfast. Then we headed to Impasug-ong Tourism Office to pay the environmental fee before continuing to our first destination.

Stop 1: Communal Ranch – “Little New Zealand of Bukidnon”

Our first stop was the Communal Ranch, the jump-off point for the Mt. Kulago trek. Spanning over 600 hectares, it’s the largest communal ranch in the Philippines, managed by the local government for cattle raising.

It honestly looked like New Zealand—rolling green hills, grazing cattle, and a view that instantly relaxed the soul. We took photos here and prepped ourselves for the climb.

The Trek to Mt. Kulago Begins

By 9:00 AM, under the blazing sun, we began our hike. It was an open trail, no shade, just us, our backpacks, and the mountain ahead.

We reached a river crossing and rode a “balsa” (bamboo raft) to get to the other side—Mt. Kulago’s basecamp.

By 12 noon, we arrived at the campsite, set up our tent, had lunch, and spent the afternoon resting and soaking in the scenery. That evening, we enjoyed a bonfire and acoustic music played by locals. The vibe was pure and authentic—something you don’t get in the city.

As joiners, we met new friends, played games, shared stories, and yes—had a few shots of liquor to cap the night.

The Summit Climb: A Mix of Pain and Awe

At 3:00 AM, it was time. We made a short offering and started the climb to the summit.

I wore shorts and a windbreaker, thinking it would be enough. But soon, the cogon grass started cutting into my skin. It was itchy and painful. I was sweating buckets, so I took off my jacket and hiked topless—itchy, sweaty, but determined.

After nearly 3 hours of steep uphill, we reached the summit.

And wow.

Just wow.

The sunrise was like a painting—the mountain ridges, bathed in golden light, took my breath away. I wanted to take more photos, but sadly, my phone battery was nearly dead. Still, the view is forever etched in my memory.

Going Down and Moving On

By 7:00 AM, we started the descent as the sun grew stronger. It was faster but painful—my legs ached with every step as I tried not to slip. I reached the campsite by 9:00 AM, ate breakfast, and prepped for the next leg of our adventure.

We packed up and headed back to Communal Ranch, then drove to find a lunch spot before going to our final stop: Cedar Falls.

Stop 2: Cedar Falls – A Hidden Gem

As we approached the Cedar area, I was amazed by the towering, straight trees lining the road. Based on what I read, they were White Lauan trees, often mistaken as "cedars." Regardless of the name, they were majestic.

A short walk took us to Cedar Falls. We crossed a small river, and then it came into view—a crystal-clear waterfall, refreshing and wild.

I swam in the cold water and jumped near the falls like a kid again. The whole place felt untouched, like a hidden paradise.

The Final Stop: YAKA Restaurant

Before heading back to Davao, we stopped at YAKA Restaurant in Malaybalay. It's a cozy spot made of bamboo where you sit “yaka”-style (on the floor). The food was delicious and affordable—a perfect end to a tiring yet fulfilling trip.

By 6:00 PM, we were on the road again. And before midnight, I was finally home.

Final Thoughts

This was my first real hike, and it tested me physically and mentally. My legs were sore for days, but something inside me changed. I proved to myself that I could do it. All the walking, jogging, and cycling before the hike helped—but nothing prepared me for the sense of awe and achievement I felt on that mountain.

So if you're thinking of trying something new for your health—consider climbing a mountain. You might come down tired, yes, but you'll also come down stronger, braver, and more alive.

Quick Tips for First-Time Hikers:

• Wear leggings or hiking pants – avoid scratches from grass!
• Bring power banks – don’t let your phone die at the summit!
• Hydrate and bring trail snacks
• Respect the environment and the locals
• Most importantly—enjoy every step.