Mt Sicapoo (Traverse) 2354m
Brgy, Manalpac Solsona Ilocos
September 1 2017
SOLSONA ILOCOS- 4:00 am, Why do I climb mountains? That was the same question I keep asking myself whenever I experienced great discomfort while climbing.
It's been a week since Typhoon Jolina struck the North that made a week delay on our attempt to scale Ilocos Region's highest mountain. I almost prepared for 2 months of high resistance training at the gym, some treadmill and minor climbs when we were forced to move our climb later last week. We were bit dismayed, but due to Mt Sicapoo's major safety concerns, it was for the common good.
Just to add Traveling to Ilocos Norte from my hometown Calamba Laguna took me almost 12 hours land travel. The team was composed of 11 other Manila based experienced climbers including the blogger, headed by the legendary Jepoi Mansibang of team MOI one of the most experienced organizers when it comes to scaling Mt Sicapoo.
We were set to climb Mt Sicapoo's Rosary trail, known and notorious to climbers for its lengthy 51-kilometer distance which includes traversing 9 mountains and crossing 14 rivers before reaching its highest peak. That distance is from Luneta Park to my beloved hometown of Calamba Laguna! The whole climb took us 58 hours and 14 minutes total completion for a 3-day itinerary excluding travel time.
BACKGROUND
Mt Sicapoo is the highest mountain of Ilocos region standing at 7,723ft between the borders of Ilocos and Apayao. It is considered one of Philippines toughest and most difficult mountains to climb. Its intensity stands alongside with the colossus ranks of Mt Halcon, and Mt Mantalingahan of Palawan to name a few.
Many lives have been imperiled due to its notorious treacherous weather, its steep ridges, unlimited river crossings, zero visibility terrain, and open trails were the main elements why Mt Sicapoo earned its fierce reputation.
Just to add its countless of chest to waist deep river crossings were the highlights of the climb and if the weather doesn't permit, one may consider aborting his/her attempt to scale her imminent beauty. Gears and equipment are also a major factor for a successful ascent.
Definitely not for anyone who is not mentally, physically and emotionally prepared to scale her from start to finish in one piece!
On the brighter side, Mt Sicapoo possesses a richness in biodiversity and marvelous scenery waiting for anyone who is willing to risk and pursue her enticing charm. It has one of the most beautiful terrains and pine tree forest I have ever seen! I could not compare any mountains to Sicapoo because her beauty is already endemically distinctive in nature.
Thanks to the effort of early exploratory teams ODMG way back 2009 Mt Sicapoo was established as a prime hiking destination to some advanced climbers.
Brgy Manalpac to Saulay Base camp
08:00 am, We arrived in Solsona public market via chartered van after 9 hours of travel time from Manila. We then bought our supplies needed for the 3-day climb and made a courtesy call to the local Police of Solsona accompanied by our veteran guides before scaling Mt Sicapoo as a protocol for Mountaineers.
Full gear
9:40 am, we had short briefing after we geared our bags, and water proof our gears which were a major requisite for the countless of river crossings we did later that day. We commenced our trek at exactly 10:00 am after a heavy breakfast and I was the lead pack.
The first segment was trekking Gas-gas river to what locals call markang bato, which was our first goal to reach after lunch. After 30 minutes of trekking, we reached the first major river crossing. The river was Crystal and clear.
photos: Ivan Torres
We used kern-mantle ropes for support before we could pass through the waist deep strong currents. After the first river crossing, we cross several above knees strong to mild water currents until we reached some rolling hills.
Crucial Part
Unli Crossing
1:25 pm, We decided to take our late lunch, we were delayed from our itinerary which was reaching markang bato by 1:00 pm. We recommenced our trek at 2:00 pm and trek another hour before reaching the final river crossing.
Ivan Torres
The struggle was Real!
The rocks were very slippery, a tiny error could mean disaster. I was also struck by the strong current due to a wrong slippery step. My survival instincts automatically activated, the good thing was I regained back my balance as I was assisted by one of our local guides. Luckily! my sleeping bag was the only gear that was soaked in wet and I only lost my eye glasses.
The last river crossing
We had good 20 minutes of rest at Markang bato and refilled our water source before assaulting Mt Balbalitok the first mountain to scale later that afternoon. Rain suddenly drizzled hard after we crossed the last river crossing. Little by little, the waist deep river rose to almost chest deep within few minutes! I had some few blisters in my feet.
MARKANG BATO TO SAULAY BASE CAMP
3:30 pm, Soaked in wet, we gradually ascend bit by bit following a,70-degree steep inclination ascent. The rain started to downpour while we were ascending.
From the lead pack, I became 3rd next to mark and the sweeper John. The river crossing in gas-gas almost diminished my vigor to half considering that I was 90% prepared that time.
After two hours of assaulting the ridge we took time to rest for a good 10 minutes, the view was already appealing, we had reminisced the endeavors we did earlier while standing on the pedestal of Mt Balbalitok. The rain had drizzled a bit when I felt the immense muscle cramps from my legs due to my backpack that was 21 kilos filled with food supplies.
5:30 pm, It was already dark, we geared up our head lamps and prepared for our final assault to Mt Saulay junction which served as our base camp.
With renowned vigor, we trekked over the ridge and through the small mossy forest before we could ascend back to the ridge filled with pine trees.
Darkness had engulfed us, we were soaked in wet, we were in cold and starving plus we experienced sudden muscle cramps and the rain continued to downpour hard.
With a muddy trail, we ascend gradually with sluggish pacing and some menacing blood sucking leeches. Truly I was reminded by myself that true mountaineering is the art of suffering yet still I was grateful for that moment. To find peace in adversity is priceless.
Our perishing energy didn't slow us, we just trek bit by bit with a thought of an appealing warm dinner, a hot coffee, and a warm blanket. It was like our prime motivator, In the mountains, the most simple things in life will make you appreciate life even more.
We reached Saulay Base camp junction at around 7:50 pm after 10 hours of vigorous trek, Our lead pack, and expedition leader Jepoi was already cooking our dinner TINOLA. I sip a nice hot coffee I was shivering and then all my exhaustion was replaced by a warm smile, grateful for what we had accomplished on Day 1. I really love the scent of coffee that's the reason why I took barista as a part time hobby.
Tinola
We pitched our tents that will be needed for the 3-day camp. From Saulay, the summit of Mt Sicapoo was 6-7 hours trek away at around 5 mountain distance of Mt Bubuos, Balbalite, Papako, Matalindong, and Sicapoo.
Saulay base camp can accommodate up to 100 tents and was a strategic location for our trek considering its proximity to Mt Timarid and Simagaysay.
There were also other camping grounds above Mt Bubuos and Mt Papako.
08:30 pm, We immediately ate our dinner after we pitched our tents. Some of my teammates had their hammocks hanging. We drink some liquor that made us relaxed after our sumptuous dinner. We talked about life and reassess the first day, the night was filled with jokes and smiles.
Lights out at 10:00 pm
I applied tiger balm on my worn out leg muscles so that I could ease the muscle stiffness and pain, The night was frigid and moist.
DAY 2
SAULAY TO MT SICAPOO PENGUIN
The next day we woke up at around 5:00 am, the hope of a fine weather was downhearted by a dim sky. We estimated a 9-10 hours trek so we had our early heavy breakfast and packed our lunch swiftly within 30 minutes. We commenced our trek at 6:00 am. Our expedition Leader Jepoi stayed at Saulay Base Camp alongside with one of our two guides for a perfect support team duo.
coffee
breakfast ala king
We packed one of our two-way radio so that we could contact Saulay base camp in case of emergency. For the second day, I was just carrying less than 4 kilos of my dry bag and packed lunch.
We refilled our water bottles from the nearest water source before recommencing our trek.
Mt Bubuos
Goblin like scenery
We reached Mt Papako campsite at around 11:00 am and regrouped our team while waiting for our sweeper's Mark and John, we took our time to recuperate and captured great shots of the mystical forested pine trees.
the team
Ivan and I became the sweepers, we recommenced our trek at around 11:20 am, we ascend up through the small mossy forest until we could reach the ridge. Strong wind chill pounded us alongside with rain. We ascended non-stop from the obscure terrain and muddy trail up to the big mossy forest until we reached the summit at around 1:14 pm, we were exhausted.
Gloomy
We found the Penguin!
Hi dear
I was very grateful that moment, I thank the Lord for reaching Sicapoo's summit, It was a milestone accomplishment, It marked my 50th summit of the total mountains I climbed years ago since I started in Makiling way back 2009.
2:00 pm, We regrouped with our lead pack headed by Jeff we ate our late lunch, they advanced an hour before we could descend down, they handed over the radio equipment to us. I was the sweeper accompanied by our veteran guide. With renowned vigor, we sprint trek down as the weather became harsher.
4:31 pm, we reached Mt Papako campsite.
Limatiks
My dry bag was on my back :)
04:45 pm, we recommenced our trek down to Mt Balbalitok and up again to Mt Bubuos, From time to time I radioed Saulay base camp for our exact coordinates, Jepoi responded quickly. On our way down we had a good clearing, It was a very heart felt moment as we glimpsed the marvelous mountain range we traversed earlier.
06:00 pm, We were up in Mt Bubuos campsite when fog formations went up the mountains, our clear vision earlier was replaced by almost zero visibility surrounding. Darkness started to cripple while trekking down the silence of the forest kept me calm and relaxed.
Ivan Torres Photography
But our vision became limited due to fog, rain started to downpour on our way down. We exercise cautiousness while descending especially on the knife edge trail where we used both hands grasping the tall grass for support, there was no room for errors, Error could transcend to disaster so we were very cautious.
06:45 pm, It was already dark, the weather became savage, wind gust started to pound us again, My headlamp was not functioning well due to exhausted batteries. Ivan was ahead of me while Anj had the most luminous head lamp. I radioed Saulay for extra headlamp and support.
They responded back by switching their strobe light three times. which was very visible from our coordinates. I radioed them back again, then Jepoi pinpointed our coordinates he said we were just 30 minutes away from Saulay.
Ivan was not in good condition, his left foot had a severe injury from our trek yesterday and his right foot was already exhausted from immense muscle cramps and fatigue.
07:15 pm, we were the last team that was still descending Mt Bubuos, I radioed back Saulay base camp for emergency contingency because of Ivan's worsening condition Immediately Jepoi dispatched one of our veteran guides to assist us.
Good thing two of my teammates Anj and her friend were trained nurses, they applied immediate first aid support to Ivans muscle cramps. As we silently waited for our support team for extra lights, eventually our guide arrived and help us carry Ivan's bag.
We gradually ascend up back to Saulay for 15 minutes, bit by bit we exercise caution, the most critical part of the trail was the ascend back to Saulay because of its knife edge cliffs.
7:45 pm Finally! We reached our Campsite after 12 hours of strenuous trek, only 8 of us made a successful ascent after 2 of our teammates back trailed earlier. Jepoi already prepared our dinner which was a nice hot Sinigang na Baboy.
Socials
Due to our weariness and depleted body, we slept after our dinner, for the second day My leg muscles were in severe pain, I applied tiger balm and had a good night sleep.
light out 9:00 pm.
Day 3
SAULAY BASE CAMP TO ONE DEGREE PLATEAU VIA MT TIMARID TRAVERSE
The next morning, the first light greeted us with a marvelous array of spectrum, dazzling the horizon. It was A nice fine Sunday morning, contrary to what we experienced for the past 2 days.
We had a very laid back morning because the weather was very appealing, soon after we cooked all of our food that would be needed for the final leg. We ate our breakfast and started to break camp at 6:45 am.
We finished our break camp at exactly 7:24 am afterward we had a short briefing for our final leg which was climbing Mt Timarid and Simagaysay before descending to one-degree plateau.
Leave No Trace
We commenced our trek at 7:30 am, soon after 45 minutes of trekking we descended to a knife edge trail that connects Mt Timarid to Mt Saulay.
Mt Timarid had some steep assaults that pounded our legs severely, the good thing was my back pack was reduced from 21 to 17 kilos since it was Day 3. Mt Timarid was the last water source so we refilled our water gallons, I was thankful that I refilled extra 3 liters because one-degree plateau was really dry and exhausting.
The ridge of Timarid
Passed through ridges and countless of Pine tree forest the view was remarkable, the wind breeze, the sun and the scent of nature, it was overwhelmingly awesome, It was like a feeling of being In-love but you can't find the reason why, maybe because love and nature were from the heart.
By noon we reached Mt Simagaysay at around 11:35 am, we had our lunch and resumed our relentless trek down after 25 minutes.
The ridge of Simagaysay
3:00 pm, after a short nap, we recommenced our final descend to One Degree Plateau, I have counted more than 15 ridges before we could reach one Degree
03:45 pm, After an hour of our exhausting trek we finally reached One Degree plateau.
photos: Ivan Torres
from there, Jepoi Ivan and I continued to trek down to our exit point which was 15 minutes away, we were the mid team, our sweepers John and Mark were 30 minutes away from us. Our lead pack Jeff and others were already in the jump off. We trail ran down before reaching Manalpac Solsona Dam.
Finally!, after 51 km and 3 days of hardships, our relentless journey finally ended with a bliss, We finished the whole climb for a total of 58 hours and 14 mins. I had some bruises, blisters and some minor cuts but the thought of accomplishing something bigger made me very delightful a milestone indeed.
We rode the van from our extraction point to the jump off point, where some of my teammates were already eating snacks. We immediately bought 3 liters of soft drinks and a case of cold beer, after 30 mins, our sweepers Mark and John finally arrived.
We celebrated our successful climb with a nice Bagnet Ilocos and a cold beer!
by 7:00pm, after refreshing we immediately departed to Manila we arrived the next day.
Mt Sicapoo was a milestone for my climbing activities it's intensity truly deserved a rank scale of 9 over 9, A unique beauty that can only be seen by anyone who is brave enough to scale her. It taught me a lesson that anything worth having is worth pursuing. Til next climb.
Solsona, Ilocos Norte
Entry point: Gasgas River, Brgy. Manalpac, Solsona
Exit point: Solsona Dam, Brgy. Manalpac, Solsona
LLA: 2354 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 4 days / 16-18 hours
Specs: Major climb, Exploratory, Difficulty 9/9, Trail class 2-5
Features: Pine forest, Traverse trail, River crossing
