How Difficult is Philippines Highest Mountain? Mt Apo, Mindanao

Daniel Marsh

463K subscribers

278,263 views Premiered Feb 21, 2023 PHILIPPINES

Join us in this exhilarating adventure as we attempt to conquer Mt. Apo, the tallest mountain in the Philippines, within just 24 hours. Follow our journey as we trek through lush forests, climb steep slopes, and push ourselves to the limit to reach the summit. Along the way, we share tips, challenges, and breathtaking views of the mountain and its surroundings. Will we make it to the top within the time limit? Watch this video to find out! Thank you to Anjo Dorado from #teamexplorer Philippines for making this adventure possible https://www.facebook.com/groups/TEAM....

PHILIPPINES HIGHEST MOUNTAIN - BecomingFilipino Mt. Apo Adventure Climbing

Mt. Apo. the highest mountain in the Philippines. This is the first day of our climb up into the bukid and forests of Davao Mindanao. Our trail is called the "Santa Cruz Circuit". It starts off in Barangay Kapatagan, where we ride a truck up to the jump off for the start of our trekking. From there, we walk through some local Sitios, and find ourselves in beautiful forest.... Including a GIANT FERN FOREST! It was so beautiful walking through this unique forest of fern's. This is just the beginning of what will be an epic adventure to the top of the Philippines! I really loved the vibes, and the awesome local porters. Mt. Apo. Mindanao.

3-day Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race in Davao del Sur set

by Antonio Colina IV 

IMAGE from DOT-Davao region FB

DAVAO CITY – The municipality of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur will host the Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race from Dec. 16 to 18 where around 300 runners from 20 countries are expected to scale the country’s highest peak.

Municipal tourism officer Julius Paner said that this would be the first international race in the municipality since the pandemic started in 2020.

He said the three-day Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race is co-organized by the Asia Trail Master, an international trail running organization, which tapped the municipality to host the culmination and championship final of the international Asia Trail Master race.

“They gave the manifestation to hold it in the Philippines for the first time. They have been doing it throughout but not yet here in the Philippines,” Paner said. 

He said racers will compete in three categories: 75 kilometers, 100 kilometers, and 50 kilometers.

Romualdo Cabales, race director of Mount Apo Sky and Vertical Race, said champions would be hailed as the fastest in Asia.

He said winners of the 100-km category will represent the country in an international race in April.

Paner said hosting an international race is a good mechanism to regain travelers’ confidence, most especially that the municipality is positioning itself as an eco-adventure destination.

“It’s a good signal that Davao region is tourist-ready in terms of international arrivals. We are trying to position Davao del Sur to be an eco-adventure destination. For the longest time, that’s how we brand our locality because that’s the strength of Davao del Sur. Mount Apo is the highest peak and there are attractions within the foothills,” he said.

Department of Tourism (DOT)-Davao director Tanya Rabat-Tan said that the region is excited to hold the event because it would give them the opportunity to showcase the region to international delegates, particularly Mount Apo as an “icon of Davao.”  “It’s an opportunity for us to make them feel that we are ready. We want to promote Davao as a safe destination for our tourists,” she said.

Mount Apo Threatened by Garbage Left by Climbers

The country's highest peak is being threatened by irresponsible mountain climbers, who have left tons of garbage as found out during a recent clean up drive by tourism and environment officials there, as one could learn from a PNA-report.

Joey Recimilla, chair of the Protected Area Management Board committee on eco-tourism, said the bad habit of Mt. Apo climbers that destroys the natural beauty of the country's highest peak must be stopped.

"We collected 2.6 tons of garbage during our three-days clean-up drive!" Recimilla said. "This is total disregard of our desire to maintain the flora and fauna of the national park healthy," he added. Recimilla, also Kidapawan City tourism chief, said he was saddened to find out non biodegradbale materials littered along various trails and even at the ppeak of Mount Apo.

Common among the garbage collected were candy wrappers, cellophane, empty plastic water bottles, sanitary napkins an cigarette butts. All things who will destroy the forest and the complete surroundings of Mt. Apo.

For me, living in Mindanao for good: it's distressing indeed!

Try Mindanao!

 

Mount Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines located between Davao City in Davao del Sur Province and Cotabato Province. This majestic peak is one of the country's most popular climbing destinations.

It's the centre of wonders  in Mindanao and one of the highest land-based biological diversity in terms of flora and fauna per unit area.  

It's also home to one of the world's largest eagles, the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, which is the country's national bird.

Try Mindanao!

(Photo taken by TravelPhilippinesNow.com)