When a Cave Trip Becomes a Mountain Story
Okay, full disclosure: Back in 2007, Mt. Kitanglad was not yet the plan. I was mentally prepped for muddy spelunking inside Sumalsag Cave, not scaling one of the Philippines’ tallest peaks. But as soon as we caught a glimpse of Mt. Kitanglad’s silhouette through the bus window, our inner adventurers screamed, “After Sumalsag Cave, we’re climbing that!”
And like any group of unprepared, semi-chaotic weekend warriors—we listened.
The Mountain That Holds Secrets
Spoiler alert: I didn’t Google Mt. Kitanglad before the hike. So imagine my mind being blown after the fact when I found out it’s home to 48 bird species you won’t see anywhere else, including the elusive Philippine Eagle. Add 18 endemic mammals, mossy forests, and being the fourth highest peak in the country—yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.
But in the moment? All I knew was: this was green, vast, and kinda magical.
Last-Minute Crew, First-Class Vibes
We assembled the crew: Chris, Onin (who regretted suggesting the sidetrip almost immediately), plus our Bukidnon-based MVPs—Joanne, Maribel, Jungkie, Carlo, and the always-reliable Famboy & Famdy. No proper gear. Just grit and good humor.
In Intavas, the local barangay captain greeted us with an impromptu TED Talk about government neglect and mountain preservation. I wasn’t sure whether we were being welcomed or warned. Either way, we set off. Guide or no guide. (Spoiler: our guide showed up ¾ up the trail looking just as surprised as we were.)
Trail Snacks, Dirt Roads, and Mountain Bikers
The trek to the base was an hour of dirt roads framed by lush veggie farms. It was gorgeous. Kinda like walking through a salad. We even crossed paths with mountain bikers from Cagayan de Oro who were either brave or mildly insane (those downhill slopes looked wild).
It was one of those rare perfect weather days—not too hot, not too cold. Just enough breeze to keep you energized. The universe knew we needed a break from our inboxes and to-do lists.
Concrete, Cold, and Confused: Reaching the Summit
By the time we hit the summit, it was already dusk. And wow—plot twist! Instead of a wild mountain peak, we walked into a mashup of nature and infrastructure: steel towers, signal stations, and full-on bunkhouses with tiled bathrooms. It was like camping… inside a telecom command center.
My phone had full bars (so much for the off-grid vibe), and yes, we literally watched a telenovela at 9,000 feet. What is life?
Fog, Coffee, and a Missed Miracle
I woke up early, hoping for a majestic sunrise moment. But the fog said “nope.” I grabbed my coffee, stepped outside, and just stood there in the stillness—soaking in that silence only a mountaintop can offer.
I was wondering what kind of bird I saw at the peak during this coffee session..
Then it happened. A bird swooped past and landed just a few meters away. I didn’t snap a photo. Rookie mistake. Because later, I learned: no ordinary bird lives up there. That might’ve been a rare Kitanglad native—or worse, a young Philippine Eagle. Cue regret.
The Descent: Tired Legs and Full Hearts
After breakfast and bunkhouse cleanup, we began the trek down. The trail was quieter, steeper, and a bit more meditative. We heard birdsong, mysterious forest noises, and the occasional gasp from sore knees.
By noon, we were back at the foot of the trail, munching on packed lunch and reliving our favorite moments. We walked the final stretch back to Intavas, greeted again by our kagawad friend who still had a lot to say about PAMB.
Tired? Yes. Cold? Definitely. But would I trade this unplanned, laughter-filled detour for anything? Absolutely not.
Mt. Kitanglad, you were one majestic surprise.
A Climb I’d Do Again—Mindfully
Looking back, I wouldn’t trade this experience. Sure, I wish I’d done more research beforehand. But maybe that’s what made it special—the unplanned, unfiltered, uncurated adventure.
There’s talk now of a Dulang–Kitanglad traverse this August. I’m already picturing the trail. The forest. The surprises.
And this time, I’ll bring more awareness. And a zoom lens.
💬 Mindful Takeaways for Trail & Frame Readers:
- Sometimes detours are the real destinations. The mountain wasn’t in our plan—but it became the highlight.
- Nature offers irony and insight. Steel towers on a peak? Full signal in a forest? The tension between progress and preservation is real.
- Presence matters. That missed bird sighting is a reminder: the most magical things happen when we truly pay attention.
- You don’t need a perfect plan—just a willing spirit. The best climbs often start with, “Why not?”
📍 Want to hike Mt. Kitanglad?
Start point: Brgy. Intavas, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon
Elevation: ~2,899 MASL (~9,500 ft)
Trail style: Well-established, steep inclines, steel ladders
Permit required: Yes
Best season: November to March (dry and cold)
Enjoyed this post? Share it with a fellow trail soul. Or better yet—plan a spontaneous hike together. Just don’t forget your fleece. And maybe… a bird guide.
