How did it Started
Early May 2009 I was informed by my Kabarkada (TG- Tagagubat) from SMB ( Samahan ng Mountaineering Barkadas) that they will participate in the biggest event in mountaineering history which is spearheaded by PNMS ( Philippine National Mountaineering Society) under the leadership of Jade Rance Acidre. My Kabarkada told me that on Independence day, different mountaineering groups from all over the country will have a simultaneous flag raising to different mountain peaks in the Philippines as tribute on our fallen heroes who fought for the freedom that we enjoy at present, but one thing touched me when TG told me that among the mountain destination why there is no Mt. Apo the highest in Mountain in the Philippines or any mountain in Mindanao.
Since I was a generic from Mindanao and believed that Mt. Apo wouldn’t want on this occasion to be left behind, I contacted Jade and we talked over the phone and he was overwhelmed ( I can feel his smile even though we didn’t see each other ) when I asked him if we could participate in the 1st Annual Freedom Climb then he replied that we are the missing link to complete it to become a National Event since at that time they only have commitments from Luzon and Visayas mountains and mountaineering groups.
To cut the story short, Mt. Apo in Mindanao is officially part of this historical event in Philippine Mountaineering.
After that, I informed Julius Paner president of LOGSAC( Local Government of Sta. Cruz Adventure Club) a seasoned Mountaineer and writer and also my colleague in the promotion of Mt. Apo and other mountains in Mindanao that there is a big event ahead of us which is the Mt. Apo Freedom Climb via Sta. Cruz , Sibulan Trail and he replied positively on the matter.
Also , on May and June , 2009 during our MFSM ( Mountaineering Federation of Southern Mindanao) presidents meeting headed by Jun Bacus federation President , I opened the idea of the Freedom Climb and there were seven( 7) mountaineering clubs willing to organize the same activity on 7 different mountain peaks namely : Mt. Kitanglad by AMOSS , Mt. Talomo by TRIMOCC , Mt. Katambad by ADAMCI, Mt. Putting Bato by MFSM , Mt. Magwawa by MOSACA & Cliff Hanger Peak by CARE Group in which I’m sure that these groups have their own stories to tell too.
Climb Preparation
Mt. Apo Freedom Climb was set on June 11-14,2009 and a suitable Itenerary was made during this dates in order to realize the best time during this climb for all the participants and join in the simultaneous flag raising on different mountain peaks nationwide.
The next thing we did was invitation and information dissemination to all contacts that we have about the Freedom Climb to Mt. Apo through text brigade and the internet.
After few days mountaineers from Luzon , Visayas and Mindanao are texting and emailing us on how much is the registration? How much is it?
Well as we’ve agreed, registration for Mt. Apo Freedom Climb will only cost One Thousand Nine Hundred Pesos ( P 1,900.00/ Head) inclusive of : Transportation from Davao City to Jump-off Point and Exit Point back to Davao City; Climbing Permit; Certificate of Climb; Mt. Apo Freedom Climb Souvenir T-Shirt; Overnight Stay at Camp Sabros and one Night hotel Accommodation in Davao City . The cheapest cost for Mt. Apo according to some……
Then , few days before the Mt. Apo Freedom Climb, we’ve got the final number of participants , 1 from Manila (REX) , 5 from Bicol Region( RANDY , ARNEL,KEN,RAINIER & GABRIEL) , 3 from Palawan( LEAH,KIM & JAYLORD) and 4 from Davao including Julius and me and two other( PAPONG & MICHAEL) from Sta. Cruz and they well be comprising the 13 Mt. Apo freedom Climbers.
Registration Day
A day before the climb all participants from outside Davao were already in the city and registration and filling of waivers were made and then briefing after wards making sure that they have the idea on whats gonna happen on the next four days.
Climb Proper
On the first day , we were having a miscommunication problem with vehicle that wee are goin to use due to technical problem with all the cellphone lines which resulted for almost an hour delay of our departure time. On our way to Camp Sabros Julius said that we are goin to pick-up someone on the way which will be the 14th Mt. Apo freedom climber( SHIELA, The 1st runner-up of the Mutya ng Sta. Cruz 2008) and we were delayed again for another ten minutes waiting for her . Luckily we’ve arrived at Tumpis base camp on that afternoon due to fast & strong participants after the first sidetrip at Camp Sabros in which they enjoyed the Zip Lines and beautiful scenery.
At the base camp , weve enjoyed taking a dip at the Mundo Apo Hot spring which is just few minutes trek . There , we’ve made initial acquaintances with some of the participants over a bottle of Tanduay Rhum (don’t know the relevance of this but it fills the gap between each other making us a good communicator) for the rest were left at the campsite to prepare dinner.
After dinner, a formal acquaintance was made, welcoming them to Mt. Apo blah blah blah and each other presented themselves saying blah blah blah and then went to each others tent calling it a night after few shots from the camera and Tanduay.
The next day, we started the assault to Mt. Apo peak early in the morning entering a jungle trail which would last for 5 Hours via Saver’s Campsite, Big Rock Holding Camp passing Camp 1 for water Refill then take Lunch at Camp2 around 11:30 Am. After lunch break we proceed to the next stage of the trail, Apo’s Boulder face, a four hour trek passing over the rocks from its last eruption estimated 400 years ago. During this time, beautiful scenery and picturesque wonders appeared in our eyes and saying “take a hold on your Camera and take it as many as you can”. Around 3 PM me and half of the group already reached the 87 degrees Camp site . Once again the endurance and physical capacity of this group amazed me, as a reward I offered them to go bouldering to the highest part of the boulders in which only few guests could make this activity due to exhaustion. So we went bouldering and took pictures to the views on top of Mt. Apo’ Boulder face which is a must thing to do in going to Mt. Apo .
After the bouldering, 87 degrees ascent is next passing the old crater. This trail would take around 30 minutes assault to a steep trail reaching on top the Davao side peak. When we were on top a feeling of success was realized ignoring the chill from strong cold winds and descending temperature then you know what happened ? picture picture….then we proceed to the camp site in the middle of Mt. Apo’s seven Peaks.
In the camp site , the whole group did not congregate for its very cold , the wind is strong and fogs all over the place where you cant barely see the tents next to ours.
The following morning were up around 4:00 in the morning for we haven’t slept well due to strong winds and sleeping position. Also, we noticed that the tent’s fly of the guys from Palawan was dismantled by the last nights wind .
By, 5:00 AM the group started climbing the center peak the highest point in Mt. Apo’s 7 peaks to welcome the Sunrise and where we are goin to have our flag raising. When we reach there , guess what? Picture-picture while enjoying the nice view below with the mist and morning sunshine. By 7:30 we had our flag raising ceremony which is our purpose of climbing then after, the others continue the peak hopping of other remaining peaks while the rest went back in the campsite for breakfast.
In the campsite we agreed to continue this activity every year and use the same flag that we used that day . As an act of oath we put all our names on the edge of the flag and call ourselves “Freedom Climbers”. On that same day I passed the Flag to Kim ( From Palawan ) where it would rest and wait for the same group to reunite in Palawan next year on Independence Day for they will host the next Freedom Climb and the Bicolanos on succeeding year( 2011) .
After eating lunch Julius and the other guys started descending to lake Venado where our next campsite is. Me and Shiela were assigned to sweep the whole group and have our pictorials along the way thanks to Julius for bringing this good piece of subject for me to photograph with Mt. Apo’s view as a backdraft.
We reach, lake Venado around 3:30 PM then we pitched our tents and we had our awarding of certificates after wards and group pictures, then we prepare our dinner while others explore the lake and others to the bushes …. He he he .
After our dinner we made our socials night in my small tadpole tent by Apexus in which 6 of us tried to fit in while enjoying a bottle of Tanduay reinforced with Gin mixed with Tang which the Bicolano’s shared to us ( Ika nga Tutulungan ka ng Gin). That night, the rain had his time to pour on us, for I only had few hours of sleep for the drops are goin inside the tent passing through rips,thanks to my tent buddies for keeping me warm for my clothes were already wet.
The next morning, when I woke up , the whole area of Venado was covered in fogs and mist so we had a lazy morning start but by 8:00 AM all of a sudden the fogs were gone and Venado’s scenic view displayed in our sights,, go take pictures and roam around,,,,,,
Then suddenly Shiela (our Mutya ng Freedom Climb As we acknowledge her) approach me that it’s a good time for pictorials for she hasn’t eaten yet and while her tummy is flat and the view is perfect,, then pictorials,,,,,, then suddenly all my batteries went out,, the first time in my pictorials that I run out of batteries,,,whew…..I guess its time for breakfast I said.
After break fast, I told Julius and Papong to lead the way together with Shiela followed by other participants and I would sweep the way. Then we start descending to Lake Agco via Koong Trail for we are goin to traverse in Kidapawan trail. By, 12:00 noon we regroup in Koong campsite and eat lunch there, then proceed on river trekking in Marble River goin to Agco. On the way we enjoyed taking a dip in the river’s clear waterc and had our body wash after 3 days.
At last we reached Lake Agco around 2:00 PM where we will be fetched by our vehicle goin back to Davao. While waiting we enjoyed a couple bottles of RED HORSE BEER and started our thanks giving party for a successful and safe climb. When the store run out of beer we went to the JACUZZI ( Hot spring Resort) where we enjoyed the hot water and steam bath to replenish our tired bodies . Then Simo came, our driver who will haul us to Davao City.
We arrived in Davao almost 10:00 PM then we checked in Sampaguita Hotel and had ourselves freshen up, went to a nearby restaurant ( Pards) for dinner . My co-freedom climbers were amazed with the Unlimitted rice menu here in Davao and and the drowning free soup for they only experienced it here.
Then after we went to MTS riding a small tricycle in which ten of us cant hardly fit into it but arrived there safely. At MTS we went to Taboan where a live band performs and had a couple of drinks more laughs ika nga “ More Ass More Fun” as Kapitan said. Then by 2:00 AM the bar was closed and we retreat to our hotel with a 3 or bottles of RED HORSE BEER and some chips to nibble and continue our farewell drink for we would not see each other in the morning for the Bicolano’s and Palaweños will be heading home in a few hours leaving Rex in which we had our side trip in Paradise Island resort in Samal for his flight home is on the evening that day…….
The only thing That I could say about this climb is that during this adventure we started a tradition in which we could pass on to the next generation of mountaineers and also its my “ Best Climb Ever” . I’ve been to Mt. Apo for many many times but the happiness and enjoyment was incomparable and to think that its my first time climbing that we enjoyed almost every corner and features Mt. Apo could give us like Bouldering , Peak Hopping on Mt. Apo’s Seven peaks & Sunrise , Hotsprings , Experiecing Lake Venado, River trekking it’s a complete adventure where only few mountaineers could experience in just one climb and also this things would not be realized if I were not with Best and Finest Mountaineers in the Philippines. Long Live the Philippine Freedom Climbers.
Next stop Palawan Freedom climb 2010……………
Writer: Engr. Albert C. Gabriel aka Gabo (Mt. Apo Freedom Climb Team Leader)
