Tanaid said they have several packages for those who will climb Mt. Apo via Bolonganon, Magpet, a route they dub “The Mt. Apo Rainforest Adventure.”
“The trail goes through a rainforest reserve. We have 52 waterfalls but only 27 have been explored so far. We have giant almaciga trees, green, mossy carpet,” he said.
Mt. Apo is 10,311 feet above sea level or 3,144 meters above sea level (masl).
For a group of ten who register for the climb, one registration is free. Registration costs P500 per person. Mountaineers and students get a 30% discount – they pay only P350 but must show their student’s or mountaineer’s ID.
The package includes a special Mt. Apo climb identification card, the cost of a permit to climb and souvenir items, and a certificate of climb signed by Mayor Efren Pinol.
Services of the guides and porters have been packaged, too, at P250 per day, he said.
The climb to the peak takes two days. Descent takes a day.
But if you want a worry-free climb, Tanaid is offering the P2,000 per person package, which includes food and tents, guide and porter and souvenirs.
Tanaid said communities earn from the climb.
Registration can be done either at the tourism office located at the community e-center in the municipal hall compound or at the barangay in Bongolanon. Climbers are given a briefing either at the tourism office or at the base camp.
The Bolonganon, Magpet trail begins at 1,036 masl, at the base camp in Tawsuvan Resort. The climb to Anos campsite (1,498 masl) is 6.69 kilometers, roughly two to three hours. From there, Bob’bong campsite (1,812 masl) is 3.5 kilometers away and takes approximately three to four hours.
Another 5.2 kilometers, or an estimated four to five hours later is Lake Venado (2,308 masl). From there, it takes 4.5 kilometers or about two to three hours to reach the peak at 3,144 masl.
Tanaid said they have two seasons for climbing per year – in the Summer Climb that begins Holy Week or from March to end of May and the second season from October to December.
For this season, a total of 156 persons have climbed Mt. Apo using this trail, Tanaid said.
Downtown Magpet is 10 kilometers from Kidapawan City. Tawsuvan Resort is 12 kilometers from the town hall.
Davao City to Kidapawan takes two hours over 106 kilometers. Cotabato City to Kidapawan is 115 kilometers and about two and a half hours away while General Santos City is 150 kilometers and three hours away. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)