Posted by geemiz | Posted in Byahe Pilipinas, Cotabato, Davao | Posted on 02-11-2022
Tags: Mt. Apo
Climbing Mt. Apo is one of the many dreams for most hikers and mountaineers here in the Philippines. And there is no better way to make the most of the experience than sharing it with like-minded people we call friends.
In this article, I am sharing with you tidbits of advice from my fellow adventure seekers. The people with whom I shared sweat and mud during the 3-Day Mt. Apo traverse and the last few months’ weekly buddies for Mt. Apo training and preparation.
TLDR
1. Have proper training.
2. Prep gears for cold and wet weather.
3. Prioritize SAFETY.
Ich
Type: Madam Pharmacy Hiker
Relevant Experience:
* Sidekick ni Blogging superstar.
* Dili lang high mountains ang gi conquer but apil na high blood.
* Hiking journey started casually in high school and has been consistent since 2020.
* First major climb.
1. Econdition si body
Sa ako personal experience niwang kaayo ko so nagpadako ko. Give up tanan sidelines. Focus ko sleep, eat, and exercise.
Sadly, few days before Apo, 2-3hours ako sleep straight plus kato jud night before the climb 1-hour nalang. Plus, psy war, so natense.. mao to na HB jud ko hehehe but on the 2nd-3rd day I was fine najud
2. Regardless unsa shoes dapat ipatahi para dili maukal.
3. Gadala jud ko first aid and mga meds.
From allergies, paracetamols, tummy ache, bandaids, and betadine. Aside sa essential oils na I am fond of naa sad painrelivers, para HB meds just in case and para hyper meds.
Naa man meds sa hyper dapat before eat imnon. If too late na naka eat naa sad meds for that. luckily nadala nako tanan.
First day kremil-s nalang ko kay naka painit nata ato. 2nd and 3rd day is omeprazole njud ko. Early dawn ko take. As per Mark musaka apil ato acid if were on hype sad daw and maka cause sad bya heart burn ang hyper so apil na maka add sa kutas.
Also, from eficacent to pau de arco, ug essential oils. Kato para BP dala ko (wireless blood pressure monitor), but nalimtan nko dala oximeter.
James S
Type: The Financer
Relevant Experience:
* The King Leonidas of Cebu kay always naa sa Spartan Trail.
* Casually hiking for 4 years but consistently this year 2022.
* First major climb.
1. Practice nasal breathing para dili dali maluya.
2. Sa pag sugod pag hike kay take it easy lang usa na mga apilan nga beginner friendly nga dayhikes.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions sa mga master kay mostly mo share raman pud silas ilang mga experiences para naa makwaan tips ug unsa na na ila nahibaw.an about sa hiking na pwede incorporate as a newbie.
April
Type: The OG Mt. Apo Guide
Relevant Experience:
* Climbed Apo at 12 yrs. old
* Mt. Apo lead guide.
* Cannot remember the # of times summited Apo.
1. Choose your itinerary to Mt. Apo carefully. Perhaps Dubz Adventours
2. Pick the people you are climbing with. I prefer climbing with my long-time climbing buddies.
3. Decide early which camera gears you’re bringing and which one are not.
4. Bring only essential climbing equipment
5. Train
MarC
Type: Recovering Gulper
Relevant Experienced:
* Can hike Budlaan – Sirao backtrail w/ eyes closed
* IT Park All-nighters.
* Ato secret na nikat2x sa Mt Hibok2x (ay na mention)
* Been hiking for 17 months.
* First major climb if dili e-mention ang secret.
1. Hike weekly (daily if possible) to minimize the possibility of getting injured during the climb proper.
2. Carry a comfortable load.
3. Temperature can hit very low, so bring more than enough sleeping/warming gears which translate to more load. Getting a porter to carry these gears for you is recommended.
Xy
Type: Tito Hiker
Relevant Experience:
* Buy and Sell para sa Bisyo (Hiking)
* Outdoor adventurer since time immemorial.
“Cake walk ra si Mt. Apo”
More than the physical preparation aspect of climbing Mt. Apo, I think that mental prep is much more important. Sometimes we just size up the mountain without taking into account variables like unpredictable weather, and trail conditions among others. But enjoying the company of your peers and immersing yourself in nature makes everything bearable and worthwhile.
Daryl
Type: The porter
Relevant Experience:
* nagmahal, naghike, nasaktan, nagmahal ulit, magpapakasal na.
* Been hiking for 7 years.
* Has summited Mt. Apo 6 times.
* Climbed 3 of the highest mountains in the Philippines.
1. Proper mindset jud. Diha jud magstart tanan. Plan/prepare with the end in mind. Dapat sure na sa goal. And with enough grit ngano gusto musaka. What the mind can conceive, the body will achieve.
2. Preparation. Mental and physical. Dati, before the pandemic, ky dli kaayo over akong preps. Talagsa ra ko magsquats ky dli pa mn jud sedentary ang lifestyle. Palabaktas naman ko. And paladala bug.at bag sa work haha. Sa karon ky mga 20-30mins walk every day, taz squats, planking, kada buntag. Hehe.
3. Listen to your body. If feel nimo nga dili enough imong prep, hinay2x sa pagstart. Paminawon sa ang kaya sa lawas. Dili pakalitan. Ky lisod na maging pabigat. Mao pod na mindset nako. Dli ko gusto maging burden sakong kauban.
4. Know the trail. Study jud. Para makaready sa need dalaon. Dli lng mn gud ni hiking. Naa pod camping. So unsa pod needs sa camp. If tugnaw kaayo, makaya kaha nako?
5. Enjoy lang hehe. Just keep swimming kung sa nemo. Sa atoa ky just keep walking.
Beboy
Type: The trail runner
Relevant Experience:
* Naka-kita ug sana all sa hiking.
* Been hiking for 5 years and trail running for 4 years.
* 11 major climbs including Mt. Apo.
Invest in sleeping gears. Good sleep/rest is a must not just an option in multi-day major hikes/camping.
Dian
Type: Recovering Trail Runner
Relevant Experience:
* Naka-kita ug sana all sa hiking.
* Crush ng mga Baka.
* Been hiking for 5 years.
* 8 major climbs including Mt. Apo
1. Invest lang jud sa pangkatog nga gears especially sa cold nga climate. sleeping bag, pad, and a good tent.
2. Enjoy nature.
Aldrich
Type: Blogging Superstar
Relevant Experience:
* X-commander sa Cebu province.
* Been hiking for six years.
* 3 major climbs including Mt. Apo.
1. Prepare jud sa Ka tugnaw. Ga andam jud kog down jacket, windbreaker, emergency blanket, 3 socks, trekking pants.
Tugnawunun ko gud. Then, dili necessary mupalit bago sa winter or down jacket kay mahal. Naay daghan ukay ukay. Tag 150 ra to akoa.
2. 1st 3 months nag gain weight sa strength training. Then, next 3 months kay cardio and badminton na.
Shan
Type: The perennial cook
Relevant Experience:
* Started hiking as a bebe gurl.
* Patient to fry fish for hours.
* Been hiking for 7 years.
* First major climb.
“Take your time. Don’t rush.
Appreciate little things.
Clear your mind. Keep moving.
Enjoy the process. Learn.”
1. Prepare gears for wet and cold weather
(thermal sleeping pad) (thermal blanket nga di saba)(waterproof gloves)
2. Magdala ug Anti-insect repellent kontra alimatok hahaha
3. Extra Shoes/Socks (lapok)
4. Bring Trekking Poles
Jen
Type: All Weather Hiker
Relevant Experience:
* X-commander sa bukiran sa Sibonga.
* Been hiking for 19 months.
* 2 major climb including Mt. Apo.
Trail Lessons:
Life is not a competition, just follow your own pace.
Life may throw difficult situations but you are almost always never alone if you know how to ask for help.
There is no limit to the experience you want to make up your life story. Just take the first step and you will make it happen.
Apo is not impossible for anyone to climb. It will just need a lot of handy mental strength when the physical strength runs out.
My Pride in this achievement is palpable as it was not easy for me. And I truly felt a sense of gratitude for the journey that was accomplished with the help of others and not one that was only achieved by myself.
Joseph
Type: The Faithful Hiking Slender Man
Relevant Experience:
* Being pious
* Been hiking for 7 years
* Second major climb.
During sa trail, especaily kapoy na kaau I pray”OUR FATHER”.
1. Plan your trip early
2. Be physically fit/prepare
3. Understand the weather
4. Wear suitable clothing
5. Hire a local guide/porter
6. Enjoy lang while hiking
7. Respect the people & culture
8. Prayer before climbing.
Joy
Type: Jolly Hiker
Relevant Experience:
* Hiking with kangaroos
* Second sidekick ni Blogging superstar.
* Been hiking for 4 years.
* Second major climb.
1. Be physically and mentally fit
2. Pick the best months (summer) to climb for them to get the bonus which is the clearing and lesser chances of rain shower
James M
Type: Indoor Feral Animal
Relevant Experience:
* 8 Years Pabebe Runner
* 5 Years Day Hiker
* Camped twice before apo (5 including my boy scout years, laging handa!)
War is won before the battle is fought daw, matud pa ni Marukoy Ambungan.
1. Training with load
* Para ma-gauge ang condition sa hip, shoulder & ankle strength.
* Para malearn how to distribute sa weight between hips and shoulders.
* Went as far as 25% of body weight ang load para ma-test jud ang kasakit..then mag 15-20% na sa actual.
* If sakit jud, research and input sa mga seasoned friends kay nakatabang jud like ideal volume, torso length, cushioning, ventilation & proper weight distribution.
2. Weekday training helps.
* Running for Cardio Dalisay. (15-25km weekly)
* Gamay na Pull-ups for upper body and grip strength.
– ug labi na, himsog na abs para sa asawa.
* Squats unta to. Dah!
3. Timing and peaking sa training.
* Base, just to ready yourself sa training condition.
* Gradual training load.
* Peak training volume 2-3 weeks before showtime.
* Then taper.
4. Surround yourself with peers na kusog mang-gal2x ug hike. hahaha.
True blue hikers man ni ang taga-DHT, meaning mo-hike ra ug way rason. Swerte kay naa ra si Beboy na nagplan sa weekend training. From trail locations, % load, endurance ug camping. Wala nai huna2x-on, lawas ug kusog ra ang dal-on.
5. Invest gears for muddy,cold/rainy weather.
* Best investment, 50pesos na windbreaker na gamit pag-day1 and day3.
– salamat sa negosyante na nagdeal ani.
* Rainjacket if naay galing UK mas maayo. Waterproof gloves para kusgan bisag uwan.
– mas versatile jud ang rainjacket kay windbreaker,downjacket/fleece, ug poncho in one na.
– PERO MAHAL!…KAAYO!
* Grippy, Midcut waterproof shoes helps. Kay if malubong ankle deep na lapok, payts pa.
– so far proven and tested na ang Merrel MOAB shoes nako. (pasok affiliate link)
– lahi ra ang grip sa MOAB line compared sa other shoes na ako nagamit..
– Vibram label does help, makatabang sa grip and balance, murag latay sa alambre nalng ang kulang.
– risky ang galing UK na shoes, kay if mabasa, nganga, literally..
6. Saktong trail food, hydration ug energy nutrients.
* Accessible trail food for on-the-go kaon.
* Energy gel to take 15-30 minutes before the hard sections.
* Powdered electrolytes para sa 2nd & 3rd day.
* Yaw isabay ang energy gel ug electrolytes kay basin molupad naka.
– maflag ka sa USADA
– and simbako, madisqualify ang imong selfie pic sa summit anang styla.
7. Hike at your own pace. Safety over speed always.
Speed matters to not slow the team down, pero ang safety at risk will be the team’s burden na. Way lami i-smile if naay ma-injury na kauban.
Mao ng:
Kung malaspag, ipahuway.
Kung mabikogan, ihinay2x.
Kung delikado, isigurado.
Salamat, Mt Apo sa imong kaayo.
Safe ra tanan among grupo.
– Raul Francis Balagtas
Mark
Type: The hAngry Cebuano
Relevant Experience:
* Makusgan basta gutomon.
* Can summon drone and do the bidding to dive anybody of water.
* Been hiking for 5 years.
* 2 major climbs including Mt. Apo
“Training ra jud para palig-on sa guardian angel hahaha”
1. Bitaw importante ang training, especially load training.
2. Balance ug ankle training sad.
3. Critical sad ang condition sa lawas, dapat wala ka gi atake sa hyper, wala ka na dehydrated prior sa climb.
4. Sakto kag depensa sa katugnaw ug naa kay tapad sa tent hahaha
Francis
Type: The lonely Adonis
Relevant Experience:
* Camping w/ zero budget.
* Makusgan basta walay tubig.
* Been hiking for 5 years.
* 2 major climbs including Mt. Apo.
1. Don’t underestimate ang kabugnaw.
2. Pre-climb practice and meetings are very important as a group.
3. Load matters. Even the slightest grams mo matter jud sa whole duration.
4. Stay hydrated. Tungod bugnaw sya dli ka maka feel ug uhaw. Dili ka makabantay na dehydrated naka. Mao time to time have a sip.
5. Socks and gloves and bonnet are important accessories. Sometimes ma neglect sya pero needed jud labi na sa camping.
6. Don’t go to Mt. Apo without preparation…ehehe.
Gee
Type: The trailfood hoarder
Relevant Experience:
* Former assistant commander sa bukiran sa Danao.
* All-around exerciser.
* Self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast.
* 5 years day hiker.
1. The thought of climbing the highest mountain in the Philippines is overwhelming and you will tend to bring as many things as possible you think is necessary when in fact most of the things imo gidala is dili gyud na magamit. Sometimes, you won’t even bother to brush your teeth or comb your hair.
2. Don’t glut on food. Promise, you won’t get starved in Mt. Apo. Weigh all the food supplies you plan to bring, and surely it won’t be less than a kilo. Kuhae na mga aunty ug angkol. Trail food (mixed nuts, raisins, & sweets) is your most important food aside from the meal prepared by the organizers.
Your friends can share you food, but they can’t share their strength to help carry your load during the multi-day hike.
3. Aside from weekly hike preparation, add more cardio exercises and strength exercises esp. for your lower body. Running and squats – solve na!
4. Take good care of yourself from the very start (prep time). Through this, you avoid being a burden to the group.
5. Always keep a helping hand. Be ready to help if someone is in need as long as safety is not a question.
6. When in Mt. Apo. Be mindful of nature. Be friendly to locals esp. to the porters and guides. Be courteous to other trekkers. Be respectful of the environment.
How Do I Prepare for Mount Apo?
Summiting Mount Apo gives the most nostalgic memories, much more so if you arrive home safely. Prepare well, and enjoy Mount Apo.
This is the second part of a 5-part blog about our 1st major climb to the highest point of the Philippines, Mt. Apo. I will share with you my Mt. Apo preparation, Mount Apo preparation tips from friends, and each day’s adventure.
