minimalistrek

The Sunrise at Mount Kitanglad will Blow You Away

Hey, you gotta hear about this incredible adventure I had! It's one of those stories that'll make you wanna pack your bags and hit the trails.

Imagine waking up to the sun's golden rays, transforming the sky into a canvas of vibrant pinks, oranges, and golds. It's like a scene from a fairy tale, a dreamy landscape that'll take your breath away.

And guess what? This place exists, my friend! I'm talking about the breathtaking Mount Kitanglad. Hidden in the lush and rugged Bukidnon region, this mountain is a real-life wonder.

So, here I was, standing in front of this incredible view, feeling like I'd achieved something massive. The journey to this point? It was intense, but so worth it.

The Adventure Begins in Malaybalay

It all started in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, where I met my adventure buddies. From there, we took a bus ride to Impasug-ong Bukidnon Highway, and that's when the real excitement kicked in.

A sign welcoming us to the "Mt Kitanglad Range Natural Park" got my heart racing!

We hopped on a "habal-habal" (that's their local motorcycle service) and headed to Intavas, home to the local tribe leader, Datu.

A Cultural Experience and the Climb Preparation

When we reached Datu's house in the early morning, we immersed ourselves in their local customs. We registered as visitors and witnessed a unique climb preparation ritual.

Mount Kitanglad: A Challenge Accepted

Now, Mount Kitanglad has this reputation for being, like, super challenging. And there I was, at the foot of the mountain, excited yet nervous. I'm talkin' heart-pounding, questioning-my-sanity kinds of nerves!

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and reminded myself of my 'why'. With a burst of determination, I began the climb, ready to conquer any obstacle that came my way.

As we climbed the steep, rocky terrain, I felt my muscles burn and my breath become shallow. But with each challenging step, I found inner strength I didn't know I had.

Whenever my body wanted to quit, my mind kicked in with some serious words of encouragement. I learned to embrace the journey, celebrate the little wins, and find beauty in the simplest things—a wildflower, a bird's song, or a refreshing breeze.

Pushing Through to the Summit

As we got closer to the top, we spotted telecom towers, indicating we were almost there. But, let me tell ya, the higher we went, the harder it got.

I started with a mild headache and a bit of dizziness, which I thought was just from all the physical effort. Turns out, it was the start of altitude sickness, which got worse as we climbed further.

Despite the pounding headache and nausea, I pushed on, determined to reach the summit.

We finally made it to the top around 4 pm, but the celebration was a little muted. We missed the sunset, and the weather wasn't playing nice, threatening to rain.

But here's the cool part: the summit had this cozy bunkhouse with cooking gear, rooms, and even a caretaker!

We didn't need to lug around camping gear, but we were glad to have brought extra layers for the mountain chill.

The place was like a mini-home away from home, complete with a toilet, water tank, chairs, tables, and beds. It really made our stay cozy and way more enjoyable!

A Chilly Night Turns into a Lesson in Preparedness

Here's the deal—I had packed light, you know, as a 'minimalist hiker'. I figured I could skip the sleeping bag and extra layers, ya know, keep my backpack nice and lean.

Well, let's just say, I learned my lesson the hard way! As the night crept in, I felt the cold biting through my thin emergency blanket.

By 2 a.m., it was soaking up moisture, leaving me shivering and sleep-deprived.

It was a long, cold wait till sunrise, and I realized that sometimes, you gotta carry a bit more weight for comfort and safety.

I couldn't stop thinking of how cozy a sleeping bag would've been! But, I made it through, and it was a lesson learned. Nature can be unpredictable, and being prepared is key.

A Spectacular Sunrise and the Descent

Now, the sunrise made up for the chilly night! The sky lit up in beautiful oranges and pinks, and we could see for miles. It was like the mountain's reward for our hard work.

After soaking in the view, we began our descent around 8 am. The way down was just as challenging, but the memories of those incredible views kept us going.

We high-fived other hikers on the trail, bonding over the shared experience. Mount Kitanglad became more than a mountain; it was a lesson in perseverance and finding beauty in the struggle.

The warmth of the local tribe and the bond with my fellow hikers made this an adventure I'll never forget.

So, for anyone dreaming of conquering this peak, remember, it's as much about the journey as it is the destination. Gear up, stay hydrated, and be ready for the unexpected.