“You don’t conquer the mountain. You conquer yourself.”
The Trail Inward Begins
For many, summiting Mt. Apo—the highest peak in the Philippines—is a bucket-list adventure. But for me, this trek via the Digos-Kapatagan Backtrail was not a conquest. It was a reconnection—with nature, with people, and with myself.
Planning the Inventure: Leadership on the Trail
Early last year, my friend JP Leung convinced me to organize a Mt. Apo trek before our midyear convention in Southern Mindanao. Initially, I was thrilled. It had been ten years since my last summit of Mt. Apo Sandawa. But that excitement faded quickly—I was tasked to head the convention’s organizing committee, which meant my calendar was packed.
To make the climb happen, I contacted a trusted mountaineer and friend, Joel “Yoyong” Bautista. A seasoned outdoorsman and quiet, empowering leader, Yoyong and his team from Digos Active Mountaineers (DAM) handled everything efficiently. Meanwhile, I juggled work, logistics, and life—until I finally decided: I needed this break. I was climbing.
Kapatagan Market: Reunion of the Trail Tribe
Our team assembled at the Kapatagan Market. It felt more like a reunion than a meet-up. Long-lost trail buddies, first-time climbers, guides—it was a joyful mix of old souls and new energy.
After organizing our gear and the mandatory pre-trek photos, we began our journey.
The Digos-Kapatagan Route: Scenic and Soul-Stretching
The trail unfolds like a story—from the cultivated lands of Kapatagan to mossy forests and volcanic boulders. Each section offered a new lens for introspection.
Early on, fog kissed the trail while a soft morning breeze grounded our awareness. I was struck by the changing landscape—vegetable farms giving way to old forest giants.
One moment I was eating a veggie burger; the next, I was pondering how trees had been sacrificed for farmland.
Deeper into the trail, I walked with the “sweeper group”—Yoyong and May. We took our time. Under the tree canopies, I practiced mindfulness: five minutes of stillness, deep breathing, open observation.
Forest bathing Tinikaran to Camp Gudi
The fog curled around trunks, the trail softened under my boots, birds called in stereo. I was fully present.
Camp Gudi: Where Fellowship Grows
When we arrived at Camp Gudi, most of our team was already settled. Compared to a decade ago, the camp had transformed—wooden tables, a flowing water source, and decent facilities.
Evening fell, and so did all pretenses. Conversations flowed over hot coffee and shared meals. Chef Paul prepared not just food, but forest gourmet.
Laughter echoed under the trees, and I felt what many rarely do in the city: completely unplugged.
Alone in my tent later, I reflected on how such stripped-down spaces offer expansive mental clarity. No emails. No noise. Just breath, thoughts, and rain.
The Boulders and the 87 Degrees
We began our summit push at 2 AM. Cold, misty, and invigorating. The boulder section was brutal yet beautiful. Every volcanic rock demanded your full attention. Then came the infamous 87-degree ascent, a steep climb that tests both lungs and willpower.
Fascinated by the blue dawn The Boulders
But this climb was different. Slower. More mindful. We paused, observed rock formations, named them: Resting Leopard, The Fallen. I was so immersed in nature’s abstract art that I even considered hiking the exposed ridge trail for better photos.
Wise and chill sweeper group, taking our time to enjoy the changing light right at the Boulders
As we approached the summit, we crossed paths with JP’s group—already descending. The crater lake was alive with weather drama: mist, sun, wind, repeat. It was the first time I saw the crater filled with water.
Taking photos of the carter lake while its still filled with water.
I wandered and soaked in the moment.
Amaze at the waxing and waning fog kissing the crater and lake
The Summit: Stillness Above the Noise
There are seven known peaks on Mt. Apo. We did a bit of “peak hopping” to avoid the crowd. At the Mother Peak, I offered quiet thanks to Apo Sandawa—for letting me reach this height once each decade of my life since my twenties.
The Digos Peak was next. As we waited our turn for a summit photo, I focused on the 360-degree views. Here, wind replaces thought, and clarity feels infinite. I wasn’t there to conquer a summit; I was there to reclaim inner space.
“The summit is not the destination—it’s the punctuation mark. The emphasis to a deeper sentence written with sweat, effort, and insight.”
The Descent: Letting Go with Grace
The way down mirrored life’s return to routine after epiphany. Yet, I was determined to enjoy it as much as the ascent. We meandered, picked wild berries, joked, got soaked in the rain—and even convinced one of our porters to deliver lunch to the boulders!
All my batteries died, but I didn’t mind. I promised myself I’d come back—with lighter gear and a fuller lens.
Camp Gudi, Part Two: Rest, Refuel, Reflect
We returned to camp with time to spare. The logistics crew had snacks and dinner ready. Chef Paul once again worked his magic, and our night ended with food, warmth, and laughter.
The Trail Back to Kapatagan: Inventures of the Reflective Mind
Our final morning was slow and sweet. Coffee. Shared stories. Worn-out clothes but bright faces. First-time Apo climbers who had just summited like veterans. As JP’s group headed down first, I walked with Yoyong and May—and peppered them with 10 life questions.
Their answers were profound. Each step on the trail seemed to echo our conversations. The forest felt like a witness, its silence offering gentle affirmation.
For the Burned-Out, the Busy, the Seeking
If you’re a busy professional navigating stress and noise, take this to heart:
“The trail doesn’t just lead you up a mountain. It walks you back into yourself.”
Climbing Mt. Apo via the Digos-Kapatagan backtrail wasn’t just an adventure. It was a reset. A reconnection. A deep inhale of what truly matters.
And if you’re ready, the mountain—and mindfulness—awaits you too.
Practical Notes for Fellow Hikers
- Route: Digos-Kapatagan Backtrail (enter and exit via Kapatagan)
- Camp spots: Gudi Campsite, Boulders Rest Point
- Fitness Level: Intermediate to advanced
- Weather: Cold and unpredictable. Pack layers.
- Mindset: Leave ego at the basecamp. Bring intention instead.
Filed under: Mindful Frames | Hikes and Trails
