I did not expect much of this Mt Sicapoo climb… It’s an impromptu climb
of some sort which was finalized by my High Conqueror’s buddy Emmanuel David just
a week before the holy week (our group usually prepares months before each
climb). The reason for this rush is to save the High Conqueror’s from a Zero Holy Week
Climb 2012 to a Mt Sicapoo Holy Week Climb 2012. The original
climb schedule was cancelled coz no one organises it and there were no given alternatives.
The result was actually surprising… this climb turned out be one of my best
climb ever! Mt Sicapoo’s beauty surpassed my expectations. Its toughness truly
goes beyond the next level!!!???
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| Mt Sicapoo |
Day 1: All but wasted
We started the day with river trekking and swimming... who would not be
tempted to splash on the crystal clear water of Gasgas River in the scorching
summer heat? The hike here was so relaxing and enjoyable.
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| The jumping Ian... |
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| Gasgas River crosiing |
Our assault to Balbalitok (Junction) Campsite after our lunch just caught
me up... my right leg cramped. I took each step upward slowly and convinced
myself to relax... "Just have fun Gbins", those were the words
circulating in my head. Five hours after the painful assault, I arrived at the
campsite wasted.
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| Grassland... halfway to Junction campsite |
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| Assault to Junction campsite... Mt Timarid in the background |
Day 2: A very long day hike
All the pains and cramps were just a thing in the past... I woke up
recharged. We started our hike to Mt Sicapoo at eight in the morning and gazing
at the mountain from our campsite… wooooow, it is so far away! The connector
trail from our campsite to Mt Sicapoo is a snake-like knife ridge… it is long
and rolling passing by 4 different mountain peaks before the final assault to
Mt Sicapoo summit. This was just our second day but everyone felt the
toughness of this climb due to the grueling 14 hours hike from the campsite to the summit and vice versa aside from the constant reminder as one glimpse at the very
steep Mt Timarid awaiting for us on the third day. But the best treat after the
arduous hike was the sardines-misua soup for dinner… satisfaction guaranteed!
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| Junction Campsite |
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| Ridgeline trail to Mt Sicapoo |
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| Mossy Forest |
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| The Penguin... Mt Sicapoo summit |
Day 3: A picturesque 3rd day
Finally Mt Timarid! Our negative impression towards this mountain was replaced by a positive outlook. The reason? Just simply the views... everyone were just fired up! The trails traversing to this mountain, to Mt Simmagaysay and all the way to the longest and frightening grassland ridge line trails were so scenic… we were so busy savoring the panoramas that the toughness of third day trek sank in only after our twelve long hours of hiking… and to conclude this climb, a grueling hike plus picturesque landscape is equal to a perfect climb.
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| The scenic ridgeline trail to Mt Timarid |
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| The dreadful ridgeline trail to Plateau |
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| Grassland |
Mt Sicapoo adds up to list of my favourite hiking destinations. It also
deserves to be on the list of top 10 toughest mountain climb in the Philippines
together with White Peak and Mt Candalaga in Compostela Valley, Triple Traverse
in Kitanglad mountain range, Mt Guiting Guiting Traverse (coming soon)... etc.
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| High Conquerors at Mt Sicapoo |
The High Conquerors Mountaineering
Club
Event: Holy Week Climb 2012
Mt. Sicapoo- Mt. Timarid traverse Mt.
Simmagaysay
Climb Proper: April 5-7, 2012
Participants: Emmanuel
David (Chief Strategist), Ian Tan, Gecarl Binongo, Allan dela Cruz, Antony
Fiesta, Marcelino Paz, Marivic Bugara, Janel Banico, Jaja Mosqueda, Argie
Palamos, Joan Gentolia and Neren Hechanova
Until my next adventure... GOD BLESS us all!
More pics...
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| Mt Timarid |
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| Into Mt Sicapoo's Bonsai/Mossy forest |
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| Gecarl @ Mt Sicapoo Mossy Forest |
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| The penguin... |
