Mt. Apo (Part 3)

The Final Trail Going Down

The BACKPACKERS Conquered
Mt. APO

By Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

Reaching the summit of the Philippine’s Highest, Mt. Apo, provided each and every one of us the sense of having great accomplishment. After years of climbing mountains with varied difficulties, we were able to see ourselves standing at the topmost peak of the grandest mountain in the archipelago. It felt like we have finally received the trophy as Pinoy mountaineers! And that was the ultimate reason we were able to surpass post-summit assault challenges.

Mt. Apo as seen from the west.

Feeling accomplished and content, we treated those challenges as part of the adventure. We laughed despite the sharp icy temperature. We continued despite the unknown weather that was waiting for us. And we survived the sleepless, extremely cold, and raining night in a camp by the Lake Venado. God is good! The following day brought the prize- a promising weather for us to fully enjoy the adventure along the final trail going down.

Mt. Apo (Part 2)

Witnessing Its Grandeur

The BACKPACKERS Conquered
Mt. APO

By Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

The plants they call “Everyday”, blooming with beautiful peach flowers, continued to usher us until we were more than halfway through the trail, which specifically connects camps Godi-godi and Boracay. Along with those fascinating wild plants and untouched giant trees in that thick forest, Everyday seemed to keep our excitement alive as we tried to complete this part of the course leading to Mt. Apo’s incomparable grandeurs– the boulders, camp Boracay, the crater, its summit, and the Lake Venado.

Mt. Apo (Part 1)

Conquering PH's Highest

The BACKPACKERS Conquered
MT. APO

By Ivan Laurence Ignacio

Climbing Mt. Apo is every Pinoy mountaineers' dream. Standing at 2,956MASL,  it is considered to be the 'Grandfather of Philippine Mountains'. Portions of its trail can make you reminisce some other mountains in the country, but the whole climb itself is incomparable and is worth all your time, money and effort. Speaking of trail, there are said to be eight trails dominating the grounds of this magnificent divine creation. We chose to do the frequently used Kapatagan - Kidapawan traverse. Entering at Digos City in Davao del Sur and exiting at another province: North Cotabato. In maneuvering through this trail, we found our Mt. Apo adventure fulfilling and challenging through the variety of trail types it offered: open vegetable plantation, mossy forests, the boulders, grassland, marsh area and the Venado lake, all the way down to an exciting river trail where we had to cross the same river thirteen times.

Davao City

DAVAO ADVENTURE!

by Ivan Ignacio 

The BACKPACKERS' Davao Adventure kicked off on February 14, 2013. The ultimate goal: to scale PH's highest: Mt. Apo! Six BPs, one inductee and three guests joined the expedition. But before the Mt. Apo undertaking, the gang spent the first day roaming around one of Mindanao's busiest cities: Davao City.

The BACKPACKERS

April Bedana

Clue Fajardo

Liz Honrade

Tin Palomares

Heinz Alvarez

Ivan Ignacio

Wilson Galapon *Batch 6

GUESTS

Shine Caballes

Weng Bulaon (author of www.byahengjologslakwatsera.blogspot.com)

Louie Baccay

AMPATUAN RESIDENCE IN DAVAO

Not included in the itinerary but one of the group's cab driver was in a generous 'tourism' mode when he pointed out the huge structure along the highway to SM Davao as the residence of the controversial Ampatuan clan. He let the lucky passengers get out to take souvenir pictures of the gigantic structure. T'was really big!

Mt. Maculot 2013

A Redemption Climb. BP Ivan and BP York's Birthday Climb 
 A Pre-Climb for Mt. Apo Climbers.

Mt. Maculot

By Heinz Lopez Alvarez, Jr.

The BACKPACKERS' Mt. Maculot Climb on February 2 and 3, 2013, was an important activity for the Group because of three main reasons. First, it was the Group's redemption climb after being actually lost in the wilds and slopes during its first attempt to invade the said mountain two years ago. Second, it was the Group's avenue for the BP Lead Ivan and BP York's birthday celebration. And, last but certainly not the least important, it was a preparatory climb for BP members who will climb the highest point in the Philippine archipelago, Mt. Apo, on February 15 to 17 this very year.