Hey, I gotta tell you about this amazing hike I did up Mt. Apo in the Philippines. It was seriously intense and full of surprises, but the experience was incredible!
Just think—9,692 feet of pure adrenaline and beautiful views. Not for the weak, that's for sure, but an absolute must-do for any adventure seeker!
So, here's the deal. This Philippine landmark has been on my dream travels list for ages. I mean, who wouldn't want to climb the country's highest mountain?
But every time I'd look into it, these fancy, pricey camping trips would pop up, and my wallet would cringe.
Then, fate stepped in with a super affordable day hike deal on Facebook. I couldn't resist!
I know you're thinking this might be a bit crazy, but hear me out. I had some experience with back-to-back day hikes, and this one seemed doable.
Especially since Mt. Apo's reputation was comparable to Mt. Dulang-Dulang, a peak I'd tackled before.
The timing was also on point, as I already had a day hike planned for the next day on Mt. Matutum. I could save on travel costs and check off two mountains in one go!
I'm all set, permit in hand, backpack stocked with snacks, and I show up super early at Digos New Bus Terminal. Like, way too early.
I decide to grab lunch, charge my phone, and yes, get even more snacks.
But guess what? 2 p.m. rolls around, and no one's there! Turns out, everyone was running late, even those living closer than me.
I was like, come on, guys! My patience was tested, but I reminded myself to focus on what I could control, and waiting for stragglers was not it!
After a lengthy wait, we finally got moving. We headed to Brgy. Kapatagan, and let me tell you, it was a long tricycle ride.
We ended up waiting some more for other hikers, and as night fell and the rain poured, we decided to just hit the jump-off point without the latecomers.
After all, we were adventurers, not fragile flowers!
The rain felt like a sign of a beautiful sunrise, and honestly, it's Mt. Apo—unpredictable weather is part of the deal.
So, we embraced the adventure and made it to Colan, ready for a good night's rest. Some hikers were exhausted, but I was buzzing with excitement, too pumped to sleep.
The late stragglers finally showed up, and we were all set for the climb, rain or shine!
Now, picture this—1 a.m., and it's go time! After a quick prayer to keep us safe, we embarked on the trail under the stars.
The weather played nice, and there we were, hiking with our headlamps leading the way through a whole mix of neighborhoods, rice fields, and steep hills.
I kept reminding myself, "You got this! You trained for weeks and packed all the right gear."
And then, out of nowhere, we hit a wall—literally! It was a 90-degree wall climb, but with determination, we tackled it in 15-20 minutes. Phew!
Luckily, the rain the night before didn't make things too tricky, just a few slippery spots here and there.
Mt. Apo is like the popular kid—everyone wants a piece of it! We passed so many other hiking groups; it felt like a busy highway.
Then, around 5 a.m., we reached a spot called The Boulders—get ready for goosebumps.
Imagine massive rocks all around, and the views? Breathtaking! It's one of those spots that make the hike worth it, and we knew we had to catch sunrise there.
As the sun rose, painting the sky with warm colors, we were mesmerized. All the chaos and waits were forgotten in that moment.
We snapped pics like crazy, soaking it all in. And then, it was go time again!
We headed for the peak after those epic sunrise views. The final ascent? Another steep climb, but we managed without the sun beating down on us.
Mt. Apo has not just one, but three peaks! I chose to conquer the Digos Peak; I mean, do you really need to see the same view from three similar spots? Probably not.
The others were up for the challenge, though. As for the cold, it was way chillier than expected.
I was glad I brought my windbreaker for the windy summit vibes.
Unfortunately, our late-night friends couldn't make it to the peak. Their first big hike and they were exhausted.
It's true, Mt. Apo is not for beginners! I even saw someone dealing with leg cramps.
One hiker swore it was his first and last time...but you know how it is with hiking. It's addictive, and you might just change your mind later.
By 9 a.m., we were heading down. The sun was out in full force now, and I was glad for my windbreaker's shade.
As we walked back through The Boulders, I realized hiking down the same path can be a bit meh. So, I slowed down, took my time, and enjoyed some solo reflection time.
There's something beautiful and calming about walking alone in nature. Sure, it can feel eerie at first, but then it's just you and the trees, and peace!
I almost got lost near the campsite and even saw some...interesting human remains on the trail! Gross, I know!
But it made me think, everyone should do a basic mountaineering course. I mean, there's always more to learn about survival and rescue, right?
So, there you go! My crazy, sometimes chaotic, but incredible day hike adventure.
It was tough, it had delays, but seeing that sunrise and feeling accomplished was magical.
If you're up for a challenge and an unforgettable memory, Mt. Apo should be on your list. Just remember, be prepared, and don't say I didn't warn you about the adventure part!
