Month: June 2026
The Mountain Beneath the Summit
Natural History Notes from the Mossy Forests of Mt. Kalatungan Most hikers remember mountains by their summits. They remember the elevation, the difficulty, the weather, the photographs taken at the highest point. Years later, when stories are retold, the summit becomes the symbol of the entire journey. Yet when I look back on our climb...
Learning to Fall Behind on Kalatungan
“Sometimes, it feels good to get lost in an adventure—or forget about time and schedules.” I don’t remember much about the itinerary anymore. There were permits to secure, vehicles to coordinate, schedules to follow, and campsites marked on maps. Before every climb, I tend to build the trip in my head long before my boots...
Photo Climbing Mt. Kalatungan–Lumpanag Traverse
A Photographer’s Field Guide to Mindanao’s Twin Peaks Based on a 2013 Kalatungan–Lumpanag traverse via Brgy. Mendis, Pangantucan, Bukidnon. Trail conditions, regulations, access arrangements, guide requirements, and tourism policies may have changed since this expedition. Always verify current information with local...
What Mt. Kalatungan Taught Me About Getting Lost
The recent news of a hiker getting lost in Mt. Kalatungan is unfortunate. Yet for those who have spent time in its forests, it is not entirely surprising. More than a decade has passed since I climbed Mt. Kalatungan, but I still remember it as one of the most demanding mountains I have ever encountered. …...
