WHEN AND HOW TO GO
If you will be coming from Manila, there are two ways to travel to the jump-off point. The first option is via plane taking the local carriers PAL, Grand Air, Cebu Pacific, and Air Philippines. You can either take Davo City of Cotabato City flights though the former is best advised but either way, time and cost is negligible. The second option is via ship like Super Ferry Liners which has trips to either Davao or Cotabato although the Cotabato route is nearer and cheaper. Apo is best climbed during the summer months though organized climbs are being conducted by the local tourism office usually during Holy Week, October and last week of December. Permits and prior arrangements should be made with the DENR or Tourism Office.

SUGGESTED ROUTES
There are six known routes to the Mt. Apo summit, though one of the route, the Tico – Magpet route has other sub-routes at its lower slopes. It is advisable to take different routes in going up and going down to maximize your visit. But on a regular day, only the Kidapawan route is advised since other routes are only safe during the peak climbing seasons. Other routes will also require more hours of trekking and not as established as the Kidapawan route. Otherwise, if taking 2 routes, the recommended routes are the Kapatagan and Kidapawan trails especially for mountaineers who are first timers to Apo due to its totally unique environment, very different from each other. Substantial information can be gathered at jump-off points.

LOCATION : Davao City, Davao Del Sur, North Cotabato
ELEVATION : 3,144 meters above sea level
LEVEL : Major Climb, Level III, Strenuous
JUMP OFF POINTS : Davao City, Kapatagan Davao Del Sur, Kidapawan Magpet and Makilala North Cotabato
AVERAGE DAYS REQUIRED : 3 Days (including travel time from Davao)
MINIMUM DAYS REQUIRED : 2 Days (including travel time from Davao)
DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS : Higest Point in the Philippines, Lake Venado, Sulfuric Vents, Cold and Hot Springs, Spectacular Views

INFORMATION
Conquer Mt. Apo, the grandfather of all Philippine Mountains measuring 3,144 meters above sea level. The mountain range extends from Cotabato, Davao Del Sur and Davao City to Agusan and Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao covering 72,769 hectares. Mt. Apo is an in-active volcano and is part of the Mt. Apo National Park.

Nowadays, thousands of people from all walks of life scale the mountains especially during Holy Week. The first recorded attempt by the Spanish governor Don Jose Uyanguren in 1859 to reach the summit proved to be fatal wherein 20 of the 27 members of the expedition perished. The first recorded successful ascent was by Don Joaquin Rajal in October 11, 1880 wherein it took six days of trekking. But local tribes have been frequenting the peak since prehistoric times. They give their offerings to their tribal gods in a place with an outcrop rock called Sandawa Altar.

Natural wonders lure outdoor enthusiasts to trek through this tribal god’s domain and conquer its towering peak. Starting from the first camp at blue lake Agco, trekkers will see along the way exotic display of nature at it’s best – lush tropical forest dotted with hot and cold springs, crystal clear and boiling blue mountain lakes, hidden waterfalls cascading with thunderous roar, sulfuric craters, orchids, pitcher plants and other wild flowers. Truly this is an exceptional display of nature in its primeval state. Hidden in the mountain’s vastness, about 2,438 meters above sea level is Lake Venado- a crystal clear and ice-cold expanse of fresh water that mirrors the majestic Twin Peaks of Mt. Apo. Beside the lake is a 15 hectare camping ground that resembles a golf course with greens of wild bermuda grass. On the eastern side, just some few hundred meters below the peak, sweet wild berries and brillant sulfur rocks are found along the crater area. Volcanic vents continiously spew sulfuric fumes with jet-like rumbles. Temperature goes down as low as 3 degrees Celsius. From Lake Venado, start downward trek to the jump-off point at Lake Agco campsite which passes through the same winding, knee-deep and swift flowing Marbel River. Hugging the rocks and the boulders, jumping from stone to stone,making a total of 13 exciting crossings for a single river brings you to the first camp. These alone are total adventure and “communing with nature” experience.

LEGENDS
There are several legends concerning Mt. Apo but one of the most popular is that of a noble man named Apong. Apong has a beautiful daughter named Saribu who was admired throughout the land. Two of her advid suitors were warriors Maranaw and Maisug. Saribu however gave her heart to Maisug. Maranaw demanded for a duel between him and Maisug since it is the law of the land eventhough Saribu opted for Maisug. The duel last for hours when Maranaw, a screwed eveil man as he is, threw sand in the eyes of Maisug. When he was about to thrust his spear to Maisug’s heart, Apong demanded to stop the fighting and went in between the warring warriors. Maranaw didn’t heeded and struck Apong in the heart. Before dying, he chanted a curse to Maranaw. Saribu burried her dead father at the same spot where he was killed. The next morning, a mountain grew from that same spot. They called it Apong in hononr of the dead man, which later was shortened to Apo. One day, Mt. Apo errupted and buried Maranaw and his people with lavawhich is now the present day Cotabato Valley.

1. Lip ice and sunscreen – 40 spf or above. Keep applying it throughout the day.
2. Put Vaseline on your feet in hot spots on and take band aids for blisters.
3. Use Tucks Medicated Pads or hemorrhoid cream after going to the bathroom.
4. Bring band aids and ointments for cuts.
5. Take a shower each day. If the cold water is too cold for you, try a Solar Shower or heat up water in a pot to wash your face, neck, hands, and armpits, etc.
6. Don’t let your pants rub you in the knee area when walking. Some newer pants are especially made for backpacking and double as shorts.
7. When you are resting from a hike or in camp, it is VERY IMPORTANT to take off damp or wet clothing to prevent exposure. Put on a jacket and dry clothes. Don’t get a chill. You will always have some degree of exposure. Use aspiring to combat it.
8. After your wash your face in camp, don’t forget to apply more sunscreen.
9. MOSQUITO REPELLENT IS A MUST. Try applying some to your hat and jacket, too.
10. If you can’t stand mosquito repellent on your skin, buy a 2 x 2 ft. mosquito screen to wear on your hat and over your face.

That’s it guys! I’m sure this will help you while planning to go on a hike. Just check out in here for more hint, I’ll just leave for a while coz’ I have to check this digital signage that my dad asked me to countercheck if this will suit for his planed business.

Most of us are accustomed to a certain living standard and comfort level. When we begin backpacking, climbing, hiking, or whatever, in the backcountry, we often attempt to take that standard and corresponding comfort with us. Consequently, we each have our stories of laboring under heavy packs, and hopefully, each of us has learned ways to shed some of that weight. If not, or if you want to join me in shedding more weight.

The “Packlight Philosophy” emphasizes a never-ending commitment to (1) scrutinize packing habits in order to fine-tune minimum packing needs and (2) aggressively seek out the smallest, lightest-weight, highest-quality gear available to satisfy those needs.

In these page you will find information about outdoors and gear; weight-reducing tips; gear that can be used for multiple purposes; general packing information; gear checklists; backcountry ethics; and much, much more.

This blog is always desirous of suggestions and, most importantly, reader contributions. So, guys stay with me for more outdoor tips. I’ll just check for a Las Vegas travel, coz’ I’ve been planning to have this soon.

Mt. Apo Topographic Map

Selected Mount Apo Waypoints along the Northwestern Route
(From Kidapawan Market, passing through PNOC and Lake Venado)
Horizontal datum: World Geodetic System
Caution: Positions were obtained using a Global Positioning System with Selective Availability (±100m accuracy in 95% of the measurements). Use at your own risk.