Conquering the Philippines’ tallest peak has been one of our most unforgettable climbing experiences to date. Mt. Apo, with its boulders, is certainly a one-of-a-kind mountain. Your breath will be taken away by the view and the acidic terrain. We boarded the Sta. Cruz Circuit Trail on a three-day walk.
The first day of the hike brought us past typical farmlands and little settlements with inhabitants, who are undoubtedly used to seeing backpack-laden climbers going by. We felt the weight of our bags during the first several hours and the insufficient ramp training before climbing up to the mountain. As a result, we decided to hire a porter. Yes, some level of fitness is required to appreciate this trek.
The second day of the trip was really difficult because we began at 1 a.m. and were challenged by an 87-degree elevation after the crater. But the sight was well worth the effort. When the stones began to emerge on the route, surrounded by sulfur vents, it was as if we had been transported to another planet. Around 10 am when we reached the summit, it was partly cloudy due to rain but we were able to have a glimpse of this beauty. It relieved the exhaustion and the energy we exerted during the trek. The trail has been significantly more difficult as it rains, descending 45-90 degrees, and some portions of the ladder are broken, necessitating additional caution. We camped at Lake Venado that night and enjoyed the dinner through fellowship.
On our third day, we had to cross a large plank twice, and we also went to the tall Almaciga Century Tree, which seemed to reach the skies for we couldn’t see its top from where we were standing. After descending, everyone appeared to be cheerful and proud that we reached the pinnacle.
This is a “must-do” experience that everyone should do at least once in their lives. For me, the sense of success you get when you reach the summit is beyond incredible.
