“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary
Entering the Realm of Mt. Dulang-Dulang
In our last Mt. Kitanglad hike, I thought I’d had my fill of cold peaks and bone-chilling climbs—until I found myself shivering under layers of clothing on top of Mt. Dulang-Dulang (fondly called D2), the second highest peak in the Philippines. What was supposed to be an exploratory Mt. Dulang-Dulang to Mt. Kitanglad traverse climb turned into a solo summit adventure due to a recent landslide that made the connecting trail impassable.
Still, Team DaClavBuDigurong—mountaineers from Davao, Claveria, Digos, Bukidnon, and Tacurong—pushed through. We had prepared for months, and the mountain was calling.
The Team Assembles
From Tacurong, I joined Chris, Ian, and Jaypee, eventually linking up in Malaybalay City with Onin of Digos Active Mountaineer, seasoned climber-guide Yoks from Marco Polo Davao, PloyPloy of Davao, and Mayette from Claveria. Welcomed by our warm hosts Joanne and Merlin, we shared native coffee and Lechon Kawali at Mindy’s as the rain poured outside.
After the downpour eased, we hopped into a jeep bound for Sitio Bol-ogan, Brgy. Sungco, Lantapan, our jump-off point. We arrived after a rough, rainy two-hour night ride. There, we made a courtesy visit to Datu Migketay, a Talaandig tribal elder who graciously led our customary, prayer rituals for Mt. Dulang Dulang, hosted us for dinner and invited us to stay at his home for the night.
Over shared meals and stories, we felt deeply honored by his hospitality.
Day One: Into the Forest We Go
We woke to the cool mist of the highlands, readied our gear, offered prayers, and set off. Two veteran guides, Terry and Jerry, joined us.
The first hour was an open trail with sweeping views—Mt. Kilakiron on the left and vegetable plantations framing our path.
Though the terrain was slippery and steep, the 360° views were worth every labored step. Soon, we reached the forest line—a mystical landscape of towering trees and moss-covered everything.
We were awestruck. The trail was clean, pristine, and quiet. As we trekked under the towering canopy, the rain arrived, misting everything with a soft chill.
Alanib River: Lunch by Crystal Waters
We reached Alanib River just as the rain lightened, and made it our lunch stop.
Chris, fetching drinker water from Alanib River up in Mt. Dulang Dulang
The water, sourced from an unexplored waterfall above, was icy clear. Despite the beautiful setting, we ate quickly—hunger and looming clouds don’t mix well.
From there, the climb intensified. At times, the trail angled up to 80°, and our packs grew heavier with each step. Still, the serenity of the rainforest kept us going.
Camp at the Plaza: Shivering Under the Stars
By dusk, we reached the ‘Plaza’, a clearing just below the summit. Rain poured again, drenching us as we pitched tents and scrambled to warm ourselves. I shivered non-stop. My tentmate Jaypee and I squeezed into a one-person tent—north-south style—curled up like yin and yang, trying to warm our bones.
It was a night of strange dreams, biting cold, and deep sleep under swaying trees.
Manny’s Garden and the Peak Experience
Before sunrise, we trekked to Manny’s Garden, a spiritual altar used by locals for ritual offerings.
In solemn silence, we gave thanks for safe passage. Then came the final push to the peak. Fog rolled across the trail as we climbed into the clouds. Mt. Kitanglad, White Peak, Mt. Apo—they all came into view.
We were on top of the world.
We offered silent prayers and snapped group shots.
The highest coffee brew session for me, the summit of D2
But the highlight? Our “summit coffee break”—probably the best-tasting instant brew I’ll ever have.
Descent and Reflection
Back at camp, we spotted the destroyed trail meant for our traverse. A quiet nod to fate—it wasn’t meant to be this time.
Packing up, we retraced our steps to Alanib River and onward to Datu Migketay’s home. Just as we arrived, rain poured again, as if the mountain itself was bidding us farewell. We gifted our guides with rain gear and gloves, and expressed our deep gratitude. Their smiles were priceless.
As we rode back to Malaybalay, my heart was full. The biting cold may have frozen our limbs, but it warmed our souls.
What I Learned from D2
- Respect the mountain—both its beauty and its fury.
- Trust your tribe—because teamwork makes the summit possible.
- Savor the slow—each step, each view, each breath.
Mt. Dulang-Dulang may not have been the full traverse we planned, but it offered something far more rewarding: reflection, gratitude, and the humbling joy of being small in a vast, living world.
Stay tuned for our next Bukidnon escapade. Until then, keep climbing inward.
