Mt. Lumot (2,320+)
MT. LUMOT (MT. SUMAGAYA)
Balatucan Range, Misamis Oriental
Major jump-off: Sitio Harrohay, Brgy. Lunotan, Gingoog City
LLA: 8°40’51″N, 125°2’34″E, 2320 MASL (summit)
Days required / Hours to summit: 3 days / 8 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 3
BACKGROUND
Remembered as the crash site of Cebu Pacific Flight 387 in 1998, Mt. Lumot, termed as “Mountain of Souls” by the local Higoanon people, is an emerging hiking destination in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental. It is a high point of, not a distinct mountain from, Mt. Sumagaya. The tragic plane crash is still fresh in the mountain as remnants such as clothes and accessories can still be seen in the trail; the impact site is also preserved. Also, a shrine has been erected in memory of Flight 387; this shrine is located at the major jump-off. Every year, a tribute climb is organized, the last one being held on Feb 1-3, 2008.
In the same way that Mt. Ugu was “discovered” because of a crash site, Mt. Lumot has also emerged as a hiking destination. Its name, after all, means “mosses”, and it speaks of the beautiful forests and rich biodiversity of the place. An abundance of streams and other water sources nourish this haven. Hikers will not only witness this serenity, but at the summit, the nearby mountains will also be seen: Mt. Balatucan, Mt. Mangabon, Mt. Hilong-Hilong, as well as the majestic Kitanglad range most prominently the highest point in Northern Mindanao, Mt. Dulang-Dulang. For the hardcore, a traverse of the mountain (Mt. Lumot-Mt. Sumagaya) or vice-versa is possible, taking 4 days.
The itinerary below takes 3 days. From the Flight 387 shrine, the mossy forest will be entered; trails are similar to those of Mt. Dulang-Dulang; there are steep parts of lots of trees to hold on to. The peak campsite offers excellent views of the above-mentioned mountains although the full Mt. Sumagaya experience is required to maximize the beauty of the mountain.
ITINERARY
Day 0
Travel from Cagayan de Oro to Gingoog City
Day 1
0600 Breakfast
0700 Head to Flight 387 Shrine in Brgy. Lunotan
0830 ETA Flight 387 shrine
0900 Start trek
1200 Arrival at first water source
1300 Begin trek at ‘Twisted Trail’
1500 Arrival at second water source
1700 Arrival at third water source, ‘Camp Neil Perez’
Day 2
0600 Wake up call / Breakfast
0730 Begin ‘alpine assault’ then proceed to impact site
0930 Arrival at impact site; descent back to ‘Camp Neil Perez’
1000 Start descent
1700 Back at jump-off / socials
Day 3
Head back to Cagayan de Oro
SPECIAL CONCERNS
KAPLAG Mountaineers of Gingoog City is the local group that is knowledgeable with both the Mt. Lumot and Mt. Lumot/Sumagaya climb. Our contact is Sir Lee Sabit, with mobile no. +639263230656. He may also be emailed at lee_donato@yahoo.com. Guides (P500/day) are registration are necessary.
Regular transportation is available from Cagayan de Oro’s Agora Terminal to Gingoog City, taking around 3 hours. As in Mt. Dulang-Dulang and Mt. Kitanglad, an excellent side trip is Camiguin Island and its mountains, Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Mt. Timpoong (although this entails another overnight trek).
WEATHER OUTLOOK: GINGOOG CITY
TRIVIA
February 2, 1998, Cebu Pacific Flight 387, enroute from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila to Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, crashed on the slopes of the mountain, killing all 104 people on board. The crash was the deadliest Philippine aviation accident at that time.
Leave a Reply
9 Comments on "Mt. Lumot (2,320+)"
to BPS,anonymous above i suggest next time before heading to a place unknown to you make sure to make plans, study the itinerary, the modes of transportation including the fare and be sure to have a local contacts or friends that can guide you to places that you want to go. You just cant go to a place right on and from there asking locals for directions as if you are totally a stranger to that place, that is not a good idea. Do your homework first, more so that you planned to climb Mt. Lumot for the first time, there's no way you can solo climb that mountain without the help of an able guide.
JG
wahoohoo, kakaexcite naman, pupunta kami dito this coming November of 2011, pro ngayun pa lang kinikilig na ko, hehehe..
Max of Imak Sikaynam Mountaineers
I did the Mt. Sumagaya – Mt. Lumot traverse in 2008. I'd say Mt. Sumagaya has one heck of an uphill trail. The lead pack composed of Tinago Mountaineers from Iligan reached the campsite at about 6pm. We, part of the Cebu Group, got there at 9pm — exhausted would be an understatement. The sweepers, part from Cebu and part from Cagayan de Oro, did not bother to reach the campsite that night. They settled for a bivouac along the way.
And I didn't know that Mt. Lumot would not offer any rest the next day. As Mt. Sumagaya is steep, Mt. Lumot is tricky. Speed is definitely not an option. You would not know which mossy surface has firm ground underneath and which one is hollow. Three days and two nights in those mountains were worth lots of memories.
I'd recommend this destination.
How disappointing ang Gingoog CIty! I want to try Mt. Lumot so I am here now in GIngoog. But several things made me want to abort my climb, get away from the city and do backpacking someplace else.
1. Nagtanung ako dun sa isang group ng local kung paano pumunta ng Badiangon Cold Spring. Mga multicab driver sila. SUmagot yung isa, via multicab daw tapos nagtatanung ako kung magkano. Sasagot na sana yung driver nung biglang sinutsutan cia ng kasama nya at sinenyasan, hindi ko naman kasi makita yung kasama. Tapos bigla nyang sinabi na… ihatid ka namin dun for php500.00. Umalis ako at sinabi ko talaga na may karma yung ginagawa nila. Turns out 7php lang ang commute. Pauwi hindi pa ako susuklian kung hindi ko sisingilin.
2. Pagkagaling ng Badiangon…Tiklas naman ang isusunod ko. Nagask around ako. Laging habal ang tinuturo nila kahit nagiinsist akong commute lang ako, although me isang nagsabi na pwedeng multicab. Napagod na ako sa disappointment, nagpunta ako sa police station. Surely mga honest ang mga yun. Pero ganun din pala. Sila pa din ang nagsabi na dagdagan ko daw yung bayad since hihintayin daw ako. Nakakadismaya kasi sa tuwing me mga turista, laging pera ang tingin nila.
Imbes na aakyat ako ng Lumot bukas, baka dumiretso na lang ako ng Butuan. Nakakasira ng aura.
BPS
bkit walang Mt Balatukan dito?? its a part of Northern mindanao…located at gingoog city, Misamis OrientaL….