FOR SOULS AND SAINTS: THE KALATUNGAN-WIJI TRAVERSE EXPERIENCE #2

Overlooking the Kitanglad Ranges. If only we have wings to fly.

DAY 2

Relief

Getting up under the cold morning weather is a real struggle but thank God the rain stopped and the sun’s rays forced its way under the thick forest to warm us a bit. We tidied up the place, arranged our gears, hanged our damped clothes and immediately prepared breakfast. We greeted everyone and we recalled the recent experience and how we managed to survive. We never had a chance to talk anymore last night because we were all wasted.

 

Everyone needs to fill up during breakfast because they fasted yesterday.

We started to prepare breakfast for everyone and shared hot soup and drinks. Then each went to his or her own personal necessities. At past 8am, we prepared to scale the peak of Mt. Kalatungan. Leaving our things behind bringing only the necessary things for the summit, we started to climb for an hour or more. We passed again under the thick layer of mossy forest and the trail was a bit muddy because of the heavy downpour yesterday. Others were way ahead while the rest were 30minutes behind.

Going to the summit passing through the mossy forest

Son and G took a little breather and posed for a remembrance

Jing maneuvering around muddy path as we are nearing the summit

First Summit

At past 9am, we finally reached the peak of Kalatungan. It was grassy and there were some burnt trees standing which were very peculiar sights in almost all of the summits we have been to. There was the marker standing at the highest point. Some charcoaled wood that speaks of previous bonfire made by campers. Then there are different kinds of coins littered around which we heard are tribal offerings of some sort. We did not waste time, as the last group arrived; we offered thanksgiving prayer for finally making it together to the top.  It was foggy and there were only quick moments when the view presented itself. We took snapshots and saved the moments for eternity. We chatted for a while, cracked jokes and our guides pointed to us the rest of the mountains in the range as far as our eyes can see. After 30mins or so, we started our descent back to the camp.

By the summit marker, we are all smiles as we finally conquered Mt. Kalatungan.

The Kitanglad Ranges at the background and still furter, Bukidnon.

Thumbs up to the HMU for job well done.

We could not really contain our joy. Another bragging right.

Feeling cold at the summit

Gay presenting the summit marker of Kalatungan.

Thanksgiving

After cleaning up, we prepared ourselves for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It was Sunday and it is our obligation to thank God for everything and to pray for our safety when we go back home. The guide and porters joined the celebration under the foliage of the forest. We set up a small altar and with the sacred vessels and linens prepared we continued the celebration.

Right after the mass, we prepared our lunch. We were scavenging for our supplies because our menu was not anymore followed due to the incident last night. We were not able to prepare something last night because everyone was already tired and cold.

 

Lunch coming!

The messy Junction campsite after the heavy downpour yesterday

Rendezvous

When the group was already busy packing up for the next summit attempt, the group that we met at the View Deck started to arrive by the trickle. We greeted them. We learned that they are going to camp at this place for the night. It was good that we were not able to come together yesterday or else, the campsite will really be a crowd and the space was not actually enough for us since some areas were really damp and puddled. As we vacated our areas, the other group quickly erected their tents there. Then the crowd started to build as the other climbers arrived in groups. They were also dead tired and we know the feeling. But, what can we do? We need to move now so that we will reach the next peak before sunset.

Picture ops before packing up and heading to the Second Peak

Photo ops with our industrious guide and porters

Battered

The way towards the summit of Mt. Wiji was rewarding at first but the second half was punishing. In traversing to the other summit, we need to go down to the base of the valley before we start the assault to the next peak. It was a walk in the park then a steep assault. What made it worse is that the rain started to pour again. With my poncho torn to pieces, I was at the mercy of the heavy downpour. Nah! It’s gonna be a struggle once again. When we have walked past the mossy forest, we were already traversing the grassy hill, we were already exposed to the rain and the wind. Then it felt cold. Hours away from the summit, we were already drenched. The path was muddy and slippery while the wind kept on battering us from every side. This made our assault turtle-paced. Being in the middle group, I started to hear the first group shouting. Then I realized that the summit is near.

At 30mins before reaching the summit, rain and wind is battering down on us. Gotta keep moving!

Second Summit

Wow, I am finally at the Second Summit – Mt. Wiji. But it was too early to celebrate since the wind started to pick up and the rain started to really pour down on us so hard. I need to find a way to slip into our dry clothes or else we will be waging war against hypothermia. It was wet all around. There were some few patches of land where we can erect our tent. Our colleagues who were not used to extreme weather conditions popped up my 2 second tent and they gathered inside like wet chicks. I supposed it was really a struggle for them. The rest were under the heavy rain. We were on the highest point and we don’t expect to be covered by something unless we do something about it. Since the ground is wet, I snipped some fodder cane and piled them up on the ground for insulation and to avoid seepage on our ground sheet. We erected the tarp – the fastest shelter we can erect. We were racing against time. My hands started to numb. I could not feel my fingers anymore. Some more cords, some more pegs, some more insulators, and when we finally had our shelter, one by one we slipped into our dry clothes and gradually regained our normal body temperature. Again, no other tents were erected though we still have two tents. There was just no more energy to use. We were exhausted once again.

A big help from our little friends Mr. Hennessy, Mr. Daniels and Mr. Baileys so we can survive the 5degree temperature.

Another long night

I know that this night will be worse than the first night because here we are fully exposed. We started to wrap our feet with thermal blankets, put some heat pads, layers of coats and thermals and whatever we can think of. We cooked dinner and shared them to others. Yes, it was still raining during dinner. Two colleagues remained in the tent for fear that they are going to freeze to death when they will go out from their tent. They were drenched since the tent was not waterproof-cured ahead of time. They said that water is seeping under the ground and water is dripping from the roof of the tent. We could not do anything more.

Three packs of pancit canton, hot drinks and some other food stuff were necessities that we could not let pass. We ate our hearts out to regain our energy. After that, we drank shots of liquor to help us gather heat swiftly. We left the LED lantern on so that we will not be afraid of the dark. Hehehe.

As night slipped so slowly, the wind battered us before midnight. The rain came to a drizzle but the wind was so strong. I was scared that the pegs would give up and our tarp be blown away by the wind, so, I was in constant vigil. I felt that the temperature dropped as low as 5degrees. I found it hard to sleep and I believe my colleagues too. The rain stopped somehow and gave view to the bright stars in the sky. I was tempted to go out and have a moment of stargazing but it was just impossible to bear the freezing wind. So I watched from where I was lying.

...to be continued.