Mt Dulang-dulang: The Heart of Mt. Kitanglad Range

Video by Marvin

Mt. Dulang-dulang

The heart and mother forest of Mount Kitanglad Range.

It is the second highest mountain in the Philippines at 2,938 meters above sea level located in Lantapan, Bukidnon and second only to Mt. Apo of Davao at 2,954 mASL and slightly higher than Mt. Pulag of Luzon, the third highest at 2,926 mASL.

Mt Dulang-dulang
Credits: Wikimedia

The Talaandig tribe of Lantapan has the rights of the sacred mountain and it is also their ancestral domain. A blessing from the current Datu Makapukaw of the Talaandig tribe is a must prior to the climb. 

Day 0

Me and Jen together with Jep will meet in Starmall crossing.
I waited in All Day Convenience Store, bought a brewed coffee for 20 pesos and lasang lupa.

Naka 2 creamer na sobrang itim pa rin

Before boarding we gather at McDonalds NAIA T3, nagutom sa biyahe.

Chelsea, Romeo, Jep, Marvin, Jen, Me

5J 377

Marvin ready for boarding

Aww first time namin hindi magkatabi sa plane..

10:30 pm
Upon arrival at Laguindingan airport we then welcomed by the van operators (palengke like) bound to Agora terminal in Cagayan De Oro.
Feeling celeb pag-aagawan ka nila.

11:30 pm
Checked in at Win Min transient at Agora Terminal as we wait for others to arrive on their morning flight.

Day 1: Communal Ranch

6:30 am
Checked out and quick breakfast at Dunkin' while Jonille and Clyde has arrived.

Agora Terminal

7:15 am
We are now ready to start our journey and adventure!
We rode to our rented van bound to our first side trip and it was a sunny day, perfect!

Jen sun kissed

Along the way, we picked up our guide and D2 organizer kuya Reymar (aka Taong Bukid) together with Welskie and Delmar.

9:20 am
Arrived at Communal Ranch, Impasug-ong

My friends was starstrucked of the breathtaking view despite the heat of the sun and the blowing wind.
Our plan is to experience riding a horse like a cowboy, but that time there are no horses to rent.

The Ranch without horses

Farm House

Jen with the view of Impasug-ong ridges

Before we headed to PAMB for orientation, we made a quick bulalo lunch along the way.

1:30 pm
Orientation in PAMB, they have discussed the do's and don'ts at the park.
We are thankful because the previous days the PAMB has closed the park for security reasons and today they just open the park even it's still risky.

Registration at PENRO with Delmar and Welskie

Tambay while waiting

Team selfie after ng orientation

3:00 pm
Arrived at Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay City to pray for protection and buy their local products. We then head to Lantapan for the ritual. But since Datu Makapukaw was not home yet for our courtesy blessing, we instead go to our day 1 homestay at Binahon Agroforestry Farm.

Monastery of the Transfiguration

Monk Blend

We ordered meals for our dinner before headed back to Datu Makapukaw for the ritual, we also bought their local products.

Food court at Binahon Farm

Fire place in Datu Mansalalang Hall

Around 8:00 pm the ritual has started and it lasted past 1 hour.
Datu Makapukaw gave us protection and strength for the climb.

Binahon pose daw

Back to Binahon farm for our final preparation, good thing they have free unli brewed coffee and tanglad juice w/ honey to drink before going to sleep.

Day 2: Journey to D2

3:30 am
Wake up call, we have a good sleep because of the comfy homestay at Binahon, after packing our things kuya Reymar fetched us and we walked to base for a breakfast, siempre unli coffee ulit. Final orientation and reminders made by the leader of the guides/porter.

The Base

The team
Clynne, Marvin, Chelsea, Welskie, Delmar, Clyde, Me, Jen, Romeo, Jep, Jonille

6:00 am
Start trek!

It was a foggy with light rain that morning.
After passing Sitio Bul-ogan the trail is starting to change, Tapulao like trail!
Ang lalaki ng mga bato! If you look at the photos para kang nasa trail ng Mt. Tapulao talaga.

8:00 am
The trail has changed again, naging covered na ng mga forest trees.

Entering the mossy forest after the open trail

And let the assault start!
The first part of the trail upon entering the mossy forest is like a combination of Mt. Natib thin mossy trees and steep assault of Tarak Ridge after passing the Papaya River.

Hala, non-stop assault pala 'to!

Ano, malayo pa!

8:30 am
Passing the 4Km to D2 Summit marker, this part medjo makakapal na at malalaki ang mga mossy trees.

Chelsea, Marvin and Welskie

Jep and kuya porter

10:00 am
We arrive at the first water source after passing the 3Km to D2 Summit marker. We refill our water bottles and ate our lunch.

Jenny, ang mangiiwan sa trail

You will see this flower often throughout the trail, official flower of D2.

Selfie w/ kuya Reymar

Masaya pa siya, ala pa altitude sickness.

Medjo nakakagulat lang mga kilometer markers dito, parang mali-mali ang sukat ang tatagal kase ng pagitan, siguro slow paced kame at puro assault.

Romeo

Water source

10:30 am
Resume assault!

Non-stop assault and non-stop thick mossy forest, nagsimula nang umulan but thanks God manageable pa naman at nasasalo ng mossy trees ang ulan. It was so tiring for me, many of us thought we were experiencing altitude sickness kase sumasakit ang ulo namin kapag naglalakad pa-assault kasabay ng mabilis na heart rate.

2:20 pm
Nakarating kame first campsite, the surrounding is already enchanting at napaka ganda.

After many photo ops resume na to summit!
Pero wait last na...

Chelsea

Jen

Jehp

Marvin

Romeo

Until we have reach the final boss 5 minutes away to summit.

3:30 pm
Sa wakas summit campsite na! Oh my mossy sobrang nakakapagod after 9 hours (kase ba naman daming photo ops) I felt like nasagad. Kuya Reymar and her partner was so kind to give us immediately brewed corn coffee at naka dalawang refill ako ang sarap.

Campsite near summit

5:00 pm
After changing clothes me, Marvin and Clyde make a quick visit at the summit view deck, sobrang freezing cold pero 4G ang data signal. At this time walang clearing all fog and freezing cold winds. We then go back to tent and set up our sleeping mattress. It was so cold already while it started to rain.

D2 Summit

D2 summit marker

Before 7:00 pm
Our dinner is ready, Bicol express, Pancit and Nilagang Baka! Burrp busog? Ang hirap lang ienjoy medjo hassle dahil sa ulan, pero sobrang sarap!

That night highlights:
- Di kame mapakali kaka ayos ng hihigaan namin.
- Our tent is good for 5 daw, pero problema namin paano pupwesto its actually good for 4.
- Sobrang lamig ng ground dahil sa basang lupa sanhi ng ulan kaya ang dala naming kumot naipang sapin na namin.
- Me, Jen, Chelsea, Romeo ay nagpplanong patalsikin sa tent ni kuya si Marvin dahil masikip.
- Chelsea: "Ano bang pinag gagawa natin, last na 'to ha yung ganitong camping, ang sarap-sarap sa bahay eh".
- Overnight kameng nag-bone chill sa lamig except kay Chelsea na naka sleeping bag.
- Si Marvin na oust sa tent ni kuya, kay kuya Reymar kasya pa daw doon.
- Hindi naka tiis si Romeo, hinatak yun sapin sa likod kinumot sakanya.
- Utot sila ng utot sa loob ng tent kase puno na ang tangke
- May umihi sa plastic sa loob ng tent, di makalabas dahil sa ulan

Day 3: The Heart of Mt. Dulang-dulang

5:00 am
Kuya Reymar called us to wake up sunrise na daw at kaagad naman kameng bumangon.

We are so blessed the rain has stopped, there was a sea of clouds and a clear sky to sea the sun rising. Mababait daw kase kame :)

Jep

Jen

Clyde

Clynne

Delmar

Jonille

Welskie
Subscribe to his channel for more DIY vlog adventures BiyaHe ni Welskie

Jen at the summit marker

Couple shot <3

Credits to Marvin

Jen sun ray

Mt. Kitanglad is seen

This gorgeous tree in summit

Credits to Jen :*

After photo ops, back to campsite for our breakfast and packed our lunch.

Around 8:00 am
Our guides take us to our final destination at the heart of Mt. Dulang-dulang, the mother mossy forest near the summit and indigenous people ritual site where you can find the white cloth and coins.

The place was so enchanted, beautiful and mystical. It's like a former kingdom of the spirits of Mt. Dulang-dulang in ancient Gods.

Credit to Romeo

For me this is the heart of Mt. Kitanglad Range in the summit of Mt. Dulang-dulang.

9:00 am
We start our descend. Na lessen na ang mga photo ops and we focused more on the trail because it was slippery.

After the exit in thick mossy forest, Jep having a water break.

1:40 pm
Me and Jep reached the Tapulao's like trail, meaning malapit na!

Malapit na!

Kahit hindi ako umiinom nito, basta malamig!

2:30 pm
Touch down Binahon Farm!
Pero bago yan cobra muna, pantanggal uhaw at walang available na softdrinks sa tindahan.
Pagkadating sa Binahon Farm, parang nawala lahat ng pagod dahil sa successful na journey.
Wash up, packed up and we're ready to go!

Marvin at our home stay, but it's actually a dorm type room.

Datu Mansalalang Hall

We're ready to fetched

Special mention sa Binahon farm for a warm welcome, they let our things stayed in the dorm until the 2nd day and used their CR for free!

Did not manage to take photos after that..

4:00 pm
We rode our rented jeep back to Malaybalay City

5:15 pm
Arrived at Malaybalay City to find carinderia pero hindi nila bet mga food, instead we opt to ride habal-habal to go at Mt. Kitanglad Agro-Eco Farm for our day 3 accommodation at their tree houses. It is roughly around 45 mins of habal-habal ride.

Upon arrival we then welcomed again a free unlimited brewed coffee! Sarap!
There is no electricity most part of the farm, reminded me my childhood kapag nagbabakasyon kame sa bundok kalasa din at kaamoy yun aroma ng coffee nila yun ng tanim na coffee ng lolo ko. An instant throwback.

Inside of the second level of tree house

Our rented tree house good for 8 pax

Habang nililinis nila ang tutuluyan namin tree house, more coffee pa while we're chating about D2 and Tapulao experiences.

That night we have a good sleep ofcourse comfy kase complete bedings pero sobrang lamig pa din dahil maataas na ang elevation ng farm.

Day 4: The Hobbit Houses

6:00 am
Nag wake up call na si Marvin nanggising na, nagaalok ng expo peanuts kapalit ng tanglad juice ni Chelsea na galing pang Binahaon Farm. While waiting sa breakfast namin, nag explore muna kame sa place.

7:00 am
Breakfast is served plus the unli brewed coffee.

Brewed coffee, Egg, Corn beef with rice

Happy breakfast!

Start na ng photoshoot..

Credit to Chelsea

Many thanks to my friends and cousin for the support!

11:00 am
Our journey here at Bukidnon is ended, time to go back home.

We ride habal-habal again back to Malaybalay City for lunch.
Ride van to CDO and van again to Airport.

Jonille, Jep, Clyde

Jen, Marvin, Romeo, Chelsea

Credits to my friends for photos...

Team Red

Recover ng lungs

Delmar and Welskie

Romeo at the Camp site

Jonille and Jep

Coffee Princess Chelsea

Sir Reymar

This journey is one of a kind adventure, ang ganda ng Mt. Dulang-dulang sobrang worth it ang pagod at budget. Very thankful kame we're safe, binigyan kame ng magandang clearing sa summit kahit sobrang lamig, special thanks din sa Binahon Farm at Mt Kitanglad Agro-Farm sa warm welcome, unli brewed coffee at tanglad juice. Siempre sa aming guide/organizer sir Reymar at kay ma'am Clynne.

Our actual itinerary:

Day 0: Sunday Feb 23

23:30 Check-in at Winmin Transient Inn

Day 1: Monday Feb 24

06:00 Meet up Agora Bus Terminal, breakfast
09:00 Communal Ranch
13:00 PAMB orientation
14:30 Monastery of the Transfiguration
16:30 Binahon Agroforestry Farm
20:00 Climb ritual

Day 2: Tuesday Feb 25

04:00 Wake up call, breakfast
06:00 Start trek
10:00 Arrived first water source, lunch
13:30 Arrived campsite
15:30 Arrived summit

Day 3: Wednesday Feb 26

05:00 Wake up call, summit photo ops, breakfast
08:00 Start descend
14:30 Arrived at Binahon Farm
17:00 Arrived at Malaybalay
18:00 Arrived at Mt. Kitanglad Agro-Eco Farm

Day 4: Thursday Feb 27

06:00 Wake up call, breakfast, photo ops
10:30 Bound for Malaybalay
17:00 Arrived at Laguindingan Airport

Our home stays

Binahon Agroforestry Farm

https://www.facebook.com/binahonagroforestryfarm/ 

0997 378 0473

Mt. Kitanglad Agro-Eco Farm

https://www.facebook.com/Mt-Kitanglad-Agro-Eco-Farm-202206513150729/ 

0966 931 1896

Our guide/climb organizer

Sir Reymar
https://www.facebook.com/TBLK2

0955 122 9869

For acquiring climb permit, submit your letter of intent to this email addresses:

Mt. Kitanglad PAMB kitangladpamb@gmail.com
PENRO Bukidnon r10penro.bukidnon@gmail.com 

Listed below are the requirements on how to get a permit:

1. Pay the permit fee (full payment upon booking with a rate of Php1,000.00 per person per peak).
2. Submit a list of climbers (name, age, gender, and address)
3. Payment is non-transferable and non-refundable
4. Climbers are required to attend briefing/orientation a day before the climb.
5. No briefing/orientation, no climb
6. Entry permit will be released after the briefing.
7. 15 pax maximum (regardless of their age).

For more queries, call Mt. Kitanglad PAMB at 0935-450-3056.

Tips:

- Always plan your itinerary if your going DIY and have a plan B in case
- Make advance booking reservation prior to your trip
- Make sure you have a tour guide/contacts and have validation or reviews
- Mt Dulang-dulang is closed on summer
- Always bring extra cash or emergency money for unplanned expenses
- Be prepare for the freezing cold in summit campsite, bring extra layers of clothes, jackets and sleeping bag

Be a Biyahero:

- Always practice LNT (Leave No Trace) principles
- Buy their local goods
- Respect the place and locals
- Avoid tawad to locals as much as possible if your buying, parang tulong n'yo narin sakanila
- Don't say bad words

THANK YOU FOR VIEWING!