Mountain News: Mt. Apo is closed via North Cotabato trails / Mt. Apo Summer Climb is cancelled
We waited until the proper authorities have issued their official word, and now that it has come out, we respect their decision to close Mt. Apo for the time being. Although the Davao trails are still officially open at the moment, there is no certainty that this will be the case in the near future, given the CENRO recommendation to close Mt. Apo for now. Reasons cited were broad, ranging from forest fires to garbage. Unlike Mt. Pulag where we see no reason to close the mountain, we acknowledge that the thousands of visitors who visit Mt. Apo during summer are really taking their toll on the mountain, and hence we respect and support the decision that was made, even as we will be vigilant on how this case proceeds.
In connection with this, the PinoyMountaineer.com-organized Mt. Apo Summer Climb scheduled from May 1-4, 2010 will not push through. However, we will still help participants who already booked their flights find alternatives, such as Mt. Talomo or Mt. Hamiguitan. They can also take they their chances should Mt. Apo be opened on that date. I have designated Max Marfori as the Climb Secretariat who will coordinate with the participants. Please email mt.apo2010@gmail.com for more information. Those who already submitted their application forms will also be emailed personally about these developments.
The Mt. Pulag Friendship Climb, however, will push through as scheduled, on April 17-18, 2010. In accordance to park rules and regulations we have limited the number of participants for this climb and it is already fully booked at the moment. Participants who have been confirmed or reserved have all been notified through email by Daniel Dellosa, Climb Secretariat.
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9 Comments on "Mountain News: Mt. Apo is closed via North Cotabato trails / Mt. Apo Summer Climb is cancelled"
Hi, Can I have your email address please?
Thanks
Thank you Pinoy Mountaineer for the very up to date and reliable information regarding track Mt Apo trail information and to the very wonderful Julius Paner at the Santa Cruz tourism office for "keeping in touch" texting and expediently allowing us to complete the necessary registration forms so that we could hike the Sibulan trail. We arrived in Santa Cruz last Monday afternoon and were walking this fantastic trail the very next morning (march 30). The closure of the north trails meant that there was no "city of campers" at the summit during Holy Week which added to the experience. Santa Cruz we found a charming little town with super wonderful locals -though accommodation is sadly limited. (El Grande your best bet). Habagat at Davao had planned a hike during Holy Week but supposedly cancelled due to concerns of water supply, however there is clean water at camp 1 and plenty of running water at the summit (even if the old crater is quite dry) so do not less this deter you from doing this trail. The guides are planning a clean up operation of the summit later this month so I don't believe there is any intention to close the trail in the near future. This Mt Apo trail has been my favorite hike in the Philippines thus far, not just because it is the "roof of the Philippines", but because of the diverse nature of the trail- river crossings, fern forests, to the incredible clamber up the boulders alongside vents releasing clouds of hydrogen sulfide. Just incredible. Maraming Salamat Pinoy Mountaineer and Julius!! Keep up the great work.
Naka akyat po kami sa Mt. Apo last March 29 to April 1, 2010 via kapatagan-tinikaran-colan trail. Wala namang problema sa taas, water source is ok, even sa peak campsite mayron at malakas rin ang water source and the reported lake venado was dried up, hindi po, maraming tubig sa lake venado and the cogonal areas from lake venado to summit ay hindi naman po tuyo. I was wondering bakit isinara nang north cotabato ang kanilang mga trails. Ito po latest info, bukas po ang sibulan at kapatagan trails sa davao del sur. Ang nakakalungkot lang, 720 pesos na ang registration sa kapatagan at 300 lang sa sta. cruz, sibulan. Kayo na ang bahala kung saan kayo dadaan. Congrats to Macario de Villa for successfully endure the challenge of APO and to the boyfriend of my niece, ganda nang simplang mo sa APO. hehehe. May the virtue and force of APO be with you. kung gusto nyo additional info, tawag or txt lang kayo 09197223166. Good day!
Sir Max, Sir Gids, Sir Jones,
If the climb is cancelled, may we know who can help us securing a permit for either of the 3 open trails? Are these trails surely open?
Thanks and more power to Pinoy Mountaineer!
repost from my friend julius paner: Latest update after the meeting of DENR-PAMB: Open trails to Mt. Apo are Kapatagan, Sibulan and Bansalan provided: That climbing groups should secure permits from the said LGUs, that all groups should hire a guide from the LGUs concern, that mountaineering guidelines should be strictly observed, and that one-entry one-exit policy should be followed….. Kidapawan, Magpet and Makilala are temporarily closed.. -ken-