Ang Bagsik ni Kwagsik 👊

At Baganihan, Marilog District, Davao City lies a long great waterfall named Kwagsik Falls. A destination we defied to reach with guts and insanity for a quick big break; one daring adventure for us Kela, Aia, Phan2x, Shyla and Stephen.

We hardly knew the exact jump off to Brgy. Baganihan from Davao City except the eagle statue. We drop off the bus (2 hours travel) in front of a covered court after it and we thought that was exactly where we'll start the trek. The local resident said there was another gym ahead but he wasn't sure he heard about Kwagsik Falls. He sent us to Commander Bayucboc in Maharlika to let someone guide us so we met Joel and Sony. The rain has poured that afternoon we arrived so we expected a muddy trail.

The team at Baganihan Gym

Misty and muddy

Dinner with a little bonfire to warm us

We reached the campsite (doesn't seem to look like one but we have no choice) after two hours and it was getting dark. We were starting to pitch our tents and get warm but suddenly a tree fell off beside us and it freaked us out. Our guides and Stephen inspected the other trees if they are prone to fall off next, putting up a straight log parallel to the trunks to barricade it. It didn't set off our worries but it was adventure that we sought, so the challenge of nature was really really there. Each of us prayed hard that night to wake up the next morning safe, and we did. God and nature, indeed, didn't betray us. Trust was only thing left for us to survive the trial.

When we woke up, we hurriedly packed our things and went off to the waterfalls.

Tip: Do not use trek sandals for muddy trails! 😂

Finally😍 Congrats team!

KWAGSIK FALLS/SANDAWA FALLS

 

Panoramic View 👌

 

 
After enjoying the magnificence of Kwagsik Falls, we ate our breakfast and took the river trek back to the road via Nam-Nam. At the highway, we fortunately tried to hitch a ride in a ten-wheeler truck with loads of mineral water to Calinan, Davao City.

taking a break...

 

Pa-zipline pls. Lol

Na-slide, natumba, naangol. Pero laban gihapon! Life of Phan2x👌

FREE RIDE...SLOW LIFE...

Happy availers

Salamat sa among idol agaw na driver! 😄

Thanks Big Top!

The Challenging Trails of Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Dulang-Dulang

It takes passion to face the mountains. This was my only last conviction to push through my dream climb on the second and fourth highest peak in the Philippines since everyone but two, had finally decided to back out on the day. I was really anxious then, knowing that I would be the only female in the group, and pressured because they might be fast hikers I almost wanted to back out too. It is a rare chance to climb these mountains though, because after my Mt. Apo in 2012, I have really wanted to conquer the country's next top summit but getting a permit and slot was difficult for me alone. And now after four years, there wouldn't be another opportunity, so this is it! Why would I let it slip away? I called some friends to burst out my anxiousness and I was reminded to live life. They just supported me.

From Davao City, we went to Maramag, Bukidnon Tourism Office to get our permit; headed to Kitanglad, Impasug-ong and rode a habal-habal to jump off. We started trekking at around 10 am, took lunch at the first campsite and went on.

A view of a waterfalls

I thought it was a smooth ascent that we could reach the summit in 3-4 hours, as the local guides usually observed, but we made it in 6 hours. Albeit the metal stairs installed in Mt. Kitanglad trail, I felt this was the hardest for me.

Stolen shot!

The struggle was desperately real I cried and wouldn't want to go back there. I also regretted I didn't prepare my body well and I couldn't take the weight of my load anymore. I don't usually lend my bag but Russel took it when he noticed me silent, and he carried it for awhile so I can walk further. He always said we were almost there and I hated it because I gave my all but it was never close enough until my energy was exhausted. I kept on focusing with the strength I had in my mind, and also prayed gratefully to God despite the rain so I could be reminded how much I wanted this. It was getting dark past 6 pm when we reached the summit of Mt. Kitanglad and I promised myself to treat her with good long sleep. And I did! We woke up at 7 am forgetting to meet the sunrise and I nervously prepared for another difficult painful trail.

One of the bunkhouses, where we stayed in Mt. Kitanglad Summit

Russel tried to measure our readiness for strength and mentality first, he showed us the overview of our trail to Mt. Dulang-Dulang. It was far, technical. Thrill to the bones. I think I heard Kaiser said he's okay with Kitanglad by that time, but Russel prodded us "Sayang!" we're already there. Then I thought yeah right, we just have to sacrifice with pain and kill time.  I don't have so much at work. I took a deep breath; and we headed down for Mt. Dulang-Dulang.

The trail down had a likely 80 degree wall climbing spot. It was creepy rad and I loved it. It's the point where you don't have to hurry or else you'll die fast, but rather focus on clinging to the hard ground and sturdy roots that you'll almost literally have to kiss the wall. It's the moment when you breathe from your core and whisper hold on to the soil.

View of Mt. Kitanglad Peak with the towers

Rest mode☺

After this part, we moved on 'til we entered the mossy trails. I thought it was just okay but the farther we get, I felt like the forest was growing alive and greener. Then I was amazed at the exhilarating ascents we took eventually. There was a point where a rope was already set to help mountaineers clench onto something while going up instead of crawling the mud, and following a creek-like uphill. I hadn't noticed the time enjoying when surprisingly, we we're already at the summit at around 4 pm.

Mossy Trails of KD2

Chasing Kaiser☺

Mt. Dulang-Dulang Summit

Waiting for sunset...

The cold weather in Mt. Dulang-Dulang definitely sends shivers down my the spine. I couldn't sleep properly too, because my company snores very loud. Lol!☺ We woke up early to meet the sunrise but it got shy later hiding behind the thick gloomy clouds. We descended that day delightful and loving the trail so much than any other mountains I visited. For me, Mt. Dulang-Dulang has the best mossy forest!

KD2 Group picture down to Manny's Garden

My Unexpectedly Beautiful Sanchez Peak Adventure

First, I would really like to express once again, my deepest gratitude to God for this great opportunity to climb another mountain (with great friends) after a year of deprivation just staring at them daydreaming, and only traveling places like as if I'm a wealthy tourist in her best modern-city OOTD (which I'm totally not). My love for mountain climbing is therefore irreplaceable.

We rode to Gensan via bus at around 8 AM from Davao City, with my hiking buddies Jake and Kela, plus her recruits and my friend, Aia. We took our lunch first upon arriving and met our hardcore female guide, Ate Sherlyn Riaz. We bought few more goods along the way and proceeded to Barangay Olympog, our chosen trail, to start the trek. We chose this option because it's more challenging than the other trails and has some shades of coconut trees and tall grasses we can walk under for some time against the burning heat of the sun.

Photo credit: Rahratt Hudieres

Behold, the handmade of the Lord!

Sanchez Peak is indeed known as a natural tourist destination in Gensan that many people are coming to, especially during weekends overcrowding the peak like a famous beach resort. We did not expect the number of visitors and locals in the area bringing with them their single motorcycles via Balasinag/Balakayo trail. The land owner, Sir Jun Sanchez had put up a few open cottages and a mini store at the peak that sells a gallon of water for Php50, ice, canned goods, beverages, snack chips, and barbeque. They can also cook chicken tinola for you!

Photo credit: Rahratt Hudieres

Photo credit: Rahratt Hudieres

View of Mt. Matutum from Sanchez Peak

We had heard, read and thought that Sanchez Peak is just a minor climb but the one we got was not what we expected. We wanted to visit the waterfalls, so we had to do long hiking over several mountains and river trekking, which is good to get relief from the sun, then to Amsicong/Kalaja Falls. But the descent trail we took was made for real adrenaline junkies with not just hiking along slopes and cliffs or jumping over big rocks, but also wall climbing!

Conquering the 127 Hours rock. lol

I made it to the top. Photo credit: Aia Lou Bangcong

The trek was overall, rad! I loved the rock climbing even though I got a little nervous but this was my choice, to get lost and get wild. (And to feel physical pain, I guess) So this wasn't just a minor hike, I daresay. And I appreciate a company that doesn't complain but fights the battle within themselves despite the exhaustion and tests of nature. 

End of Trail.

P.S Congratulations to Korrina, Shyla, Fergie, Steph and Aia for conquering their first climb!☺☺☺