Hiking Activities In Kibungan Suspended Until Further Notice

Due to the incessant heavy rains, the municipality of Kibungan has decided to suspend until further notice all types of hiking activities within the town. The town issued an order dated August 23 citing weather disturbances, unstable roads, and unsafe mountain trails as the reasons behind the suspension order.

Kibungan is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the country for outdoors men looking for more challenging climbs. In particular, the traverse across Tacadang will take hikers through several mountain peaks including Mt. Tagpaya, Mt. Oten, and Mt. Tagpew. Your body has to be properly conditioned to complete the long traverse.

Below is a transcript of the suspension order issued by the municipality. Please be guided accordingly.

Photo credit: Sanggala Mountaineers

Prescribing the Suspension of Mountain Climbing and Trekking in the Municipality of Kibungan

Whereas, it is declared the policy of the state yo uphold the people's constitutional rights to life, health, safety and property and to promote the general welfare of its people at all times, especially during disasters and calamities;

Whereas, the state is further mandated to institutionalize the policies, structures, coordination mechanism and programs on disaster risk reduction from National down to Local levels;

Whereas, the Municipality has been experiencing continuous rains from August 10, 2018 to present due to Enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat);

Whereas, Cordillera Weather Bulletin as of August 23, 2018, 11:00 A.M. Tropical Depression Luis entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is forecast to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing moderate to heavy rains in CAR starting August 24; and

Whereas, due to the weather disturbances, roads are under close/open situation and foot trails have become unsafe.

Now, therefore, I, Cesar M. Molitas, Municipal Mayor of Kibungan, Benguet, by the power vested upon me by law, do hereby order the suspension of mountain climbing/trekking activities within Kibungan until further notice,

Issued this 23rd day of August 2018 at Kibungan, Benguet, Philippines.

Mt. Purgatory Overnight Traverse (DIY/KKB) In Bokod, Benguet

Let’s kick off the month of August with a nice and slow climb. And what better way to do that than to hit the long and winding trails of Mt. Purgatory in Bokod, Benguet. This is an invitational DIY/KKB climb so I’ll be screening participants to make sure that we are all in the same boat. There’s only one requirement. Your body should be conditioned in the sense that you can hike for 6 to 8 hours straight without losing your wits. You should make the effort to jog and run in the weeks prior to the climb. I wouldn’t recommend the Mt. Purgatory traverse to first-time hikers.

I say it again, this is an invitational DIY/KKB climb. As much as possible, let’s all try to be independent and self-contained hikers. I’m merely your organizer and coordinator. I handle contacting and negotiating with the driver, talking with the tourism office in Bokod, reserving slots for the event, setting up our itinerary, and deciding where we will camp out for the night. This is where my responsibilities end.

I’m not your guide. I’m not your porter. I’m not your psychologist. I’m not your accountant. I’m not your dating coach. And so on and so forth.

Mt. Purgatory Overnight Traverse in Bokod, Benguet.

We are going there to commune with nature, meet and be amongst like-minded people, and enjoy the trails. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you are interested, you know the drill. Just visit my Facebook page, drop me a message, and I’ll see what I can do. Just search for "The Cordilleran Sun" on Facebook. Or you can email me at thecordilleransun@gmail.com. Thank you.

See ya at the trails!

Is Mt. Kabunian In Bakun, Benguet Recommended For Beginners?

This is the trail leading up to the summit of Mt. Kabunian in Bakun, Benguet. Someone asked if I would recommend the mountain for a beginner and by beginner I mean someone who hasn't climbed before. My answer is no.

Try a much less difficult trail before you go for the likes of Mt. Kabunian. If you've read articles online describing the Mt. Kabunian trail as an easy trail, take their descriptions with a grain of salt. Lots of salt. The problem with most of the information you find online is that they've been written by experienced climbers. Needless to say, an easy climb for them can turn out to be a very difficult climb for you if you're a beginner.

Mt. Kabunian isn't too high of a mountain but the trail can pose a challenge to beginners. In all honesty, it's the most dangerous trail I've ever been to. That's not an exaggeration. The trail especially the final assault to the summit features steep cliffs and rock drop-offs. One wrong step and you'll be hurtling down the mountain.

See the picture below? The mountain at the background is Mt. Kabunian. You'll have to zigzag through the incline's rocky face to get to the summit which is the highest point on the upper right corner. It's easy to be comfortable while on the trail but you have to be extra careful of your steps.

This is not in any way an attempt to discourage people from climbing Mt. Kabunian. It's an offering of advice that you be ready for the trail especially if you have a fear of heights.

One last piece of advice: if you are planning to climb the Bakun Trio (Kabunian, Lubo, Tenglawan), it's probably better if you climb Lubo first. It has the easiest trail and it provides you some sort of a teaser of what to expect from the trails of the other two peaks.

Welcome to the Cordilleras! Have fun climbing!

Mt. Kabunian in Poblacion, Bakun, Benguet.

Bakun Trio Guide: Registration, Fees, Transportation, Itinerary, Etc.

Bakun Trio is the collective nickname given to three popular mountains in the town of Bakun in Benguet. These are Mt. Tenglawan, Mt. Kabunian, and Mt. Lobo. These mountains are adjacent each other so mountain climbers usually climb all three within three days (one mountain a day). For those who are planning to climb the Bakun Trio, here's a quick guide for you. You will find here information about registration fees, where to register, how to get there, and other important details.

Before You Go To Bakun
It's important that you contact the Municipal Tourism Officer of Bakun at least a week before your trip The Municipal Tourism Officer will then refer you to whoever is in charge of hikers in the villages of Poblacion and Sinacbat.

There are two main persons you should contact prior to going to Bakun. They are as follows:
1. Arthur Tolito [09212113687 or 09053172616]  - Mr. Tolito is the Municipal Tourism Officer of Bakun.
2. Peter Diclas [09296210448 or 09062847896] - Mr. Diclas is the President of the Bakun Trio Tour Guides and Porters Association (BATTOGAPA).

Get in touch with these people before you head over to Bakun. They will inform you about everything you need to know about scaling the Bakun Trio. The mountains in Bakun are considered as major climbs so you need to be prepared especially if you plan on climbing the three mountains. Condition your body prior to your trip. Go to the gym, jog, run, climb smaller mountains, just do what you need to do to prepare yourself physically.

How To Get To Bakun
There are two main drop-off points in Bakun. One is Poblacion which is the drop-off point that most climbers use. Poblacion is where you should go if you plan on climbing the three mountains. The second drop-off point is Sinacbat. This is the drop-off point you use if you plan on climbing only Mt. Tenglawan. Or if you want to hit the Mt. Tenglawan - Mt. Kabunian Traverse. The trip from Baguio City or La Trinidad to the town of Bakun takes between 5 to 7 hours.

There are two irregular buses that go to Bakun every morning. These usually leave between 6:00 am and 7:00 am. One parks at the Petron Gas Station along Km. 5 in La Trinidad, just in front of the Jollibee branch. The other one parks at the Kenwayen Commercial Center along Km. 6 in La Trinidad, just beside the Calajo Restaurant. Bus fare is 185 pesos per head.

Registration Fees And Other Fees To Be Paid
1. Environmental fee - 100 pesos per head
2. Tour guide fee - 1000 (Mt. Tenglawan), 800 (Mt. Kabunian), 600 (Mt. Lobo)

It's worth noting here that the ratio for guide to hikers is one is to six (1:6). If your group has seven or eight people, you will have to pay an additional 100 pesos per head for the guide. If you exceed eight people, you will be required to get a second guide.

Where To Stay In Bakun
The local government unit of Bakun has designated the old municipal building as base camp for mountain climbers. This building is located in Poblacion. You can stay and sleep their at night. The lodging fee is 90 pesos per head per night. There are also blankets, mats, pillows, and mattresses that you can rent between 20 and 40 pesos each. If your base camp is in Sinacbat, you will be housed at the Sinacbat Barangay Hall.

How Many Days Will It Take To Climb The Bakun Trio
It usually takes three days. One day for each mountain. However, you need to take into account your travel to Bakun. So all in all, the trip can take 4 to 5 days. The first and fifth day will be travel days. You can cut the duration of the trip by one day if you get to Poblacion early in the first day which means you will still have time to climb one of the three mountains.