Mt. Sicapoo was never in my dream climb. But upon hearing stories about its beauty I decided to join an organize climb together with my buddy. This mountain is located in Solsona, Ilocos Norte with a difficulty rating of 9/9.
Journey
Day 1 - Scaling Gasgas River and to Saulay Campsite
It was summer when we embarked on our journey to Mt.Sicapoo. Upon arrival at Solsona we had a quick stop at one of the public market to get food and a lot of water supply. Since it is the dry season we were told about the heat that we would face along the journey.
We were a bit late when we arrived at Karingking Resort which is the usual jump-off for hikers visiting Mt. Sicapoo.
We started our journey tackling the boulders of Gasgas river. I thought the river is given such name because of the wounds and scratches people get whenever scaling this body of water. Interesting to know that our guide confirmed that my theory is right about its name.
There is a lot of reaction and discussion in forums I have reviewed about when is the best time to visit this mountain. During summer Gasgas river is calm and it has low water level so river crossing is enjoyable that one can even enjoy a dip into its clear streams. However the biggest challenge perhaps for most hikers is the punishing heat of the sun into a widely open trail with rare to no water source at all in most part of the climb.
It was so warm on our first day that we took quick dip while crossing the river just to get our body temperature to cool down. The team were already joking to just go back and enjoy in the resort area from where we started since the heat was already getting almost unbearable.
It was around 3pm when we reached this spot but the sun was still up and about glaring in the beautiful ridges that we were about to scale. So the team decided to take a break in Markang Bato to prepare the rest of the food for dinner, enjoy the river while waiting for the sun to set. At that point, trekking at dusk and even during the night was a safer option than to trek in an open trail in the middle of the day when the weather is at its warmest.
We started scaling the open ridges when the sun rays were already gentle to the skin. We were careful because both sides of the narrow ridges were cliffs. The trail also has rocks and some holes dig by cows around the area so one wrong step can either get you a sprain or fall off the cliff.
From Markang Bato to the next spot where we agreed to regroup was a very long assault. Silence was noticeable among the team and all I can hear was us heavily breathing while tackling the trail as we near the regroup spot. After that never ending assault which made me felt like my lungs are about to give up, the team rejoiced as if reaching the summit already upon arriving at the only flat area in the trail, Balbalitok campsite.
It was still few kilometers to go before reaching the final point where we will camp but we enjoyed almost an hour break from trekking in Balbalitok campsite. We cooked and shared our dinner among the group. Shoutout to Abby, for the delicious pasta I had ever tasted by far!!!
After dinner and when the team got some rest we continued to tackle the trail leading to our home for that night. The trail is a gradual assault among the pines and the mossy forest leading to Saulay campsite. This campsite is where we finally pitched our tent and enjoyed the rest of the night drinking and sharing stories on how the heck did we survive day one. Haha!
Day 2 - Road to Penguin
First day was all about reaching the campsite. The main event which was to see a glimpse of that famous boulder at the peak of Mt. Sicapoo is usually done during day two once in a three-day hiking event.
Popularly known as the Penguin, the penguin looking boulder marks the highest peak of Mt. Sicapoo. Hikers usually scale the summit in a day usually leaving their full packs in the campsite. Our team started early bringing enough water and food good for the day.
It was nerve wracking to trek during dawn since it is still dark and the only guide you can see is the light coming from flashlights. There are even some parts of the trail where the soil and rocks are loose that one can easily slip to the cliff if caution is not taken.
The trail to the summit of Sicapoo is rolling with gradual assaults. Walking in the quiet pine forest made me appreciate the peace nature can bring. The ridges from the neighboring mountains can also be seen. After taking some time to enjoy and take pictures me and my buddy continued to trek into the mossy forest leading to the summit.
We were able to catch up with the lead team at Mt.Pakpako campsite and enjoyed several minutes of rest. Given the limited time we continued to trek towards Mt. Maligcong though we were still incomplete.
Mt. Maligcong is the neighboring mountain of Mt. Sicapoo. From the peak of Maligcong where we fed our hungry stomachs the famous Penguin Rock is already visible when the clouds are not enveloping the mountains.
We arrived at the foot of the Penguin safely after roughly an hour from where we took our lunch. As expected the summit was surrounded with fog still we enjoyed our moments nonetheless. We didn't endure the assaults for nothing so we waited patiently while having coffee for the elusive view of the famous rock. After several rounds of coffee and funny stories Mother Nature gave us a nice glimpse of the Penguin.
It was around after lunch when we trekked back to the campsite. We were congratulated by the rest of the team when we arrived around 5pm. We had the rest of the night enjoying our accomplishments that day.
Day 3 - Descent to One Degree Plateau
Breaking camp is the most difficult part of multi-day hiking event. There's the challenge of packing back all your things (you prepared for a day or two) in just a few minutes! Also the separation anxiety I feel whenever going back to the city. At least for me, I honestly don't want to go back.
After breakfast and breaking camp, everybody was set and ready to go down at 5am. It was one of the clearest morning where the scenic landscapes including the long and steep assault going up to the next mountain, Mt. Timarid can be seen. Yes, I wrote it and you read it right. In order to go down back home we needed to scale and pass thru other mountains first!
The steep ascending open trail is so beautiful as the sun shines in it but it was both punishing because of the literally breath taking trek going up as the sun glares at us.
After an hour of that lung busting assault we were able to reach the summit of Mt. Timarid. Some opted to rest but for some (including me) taking pictures is a must despite the weather and exhaustion. I just cannot help to take shots of the beauty around me and it is somehow energizing.
The last mountain we scaled is Mt. Simagaysay which I regarded as beautiful due to sceneries of the neighboring mountain especially when you're at the top of it, Mt. Kilang is visible at the summit. Aside from its beautiful aspect, the mountain has its downside, it can wreck you due to its long assault and terrain. Though the view will vary from the weather condition, and mostly the Mt. Sicapoo ranges is besieged by fogs and clouds particularly on a rainy season.
Going forward, we were trap into these open ridges where the exposure of heat is open and intense which was become a hindrance to our hike. There were an outburst of anger if I recall (of our fellow hiker), thirst of water, and search for shelter. It was totally hot at that afternoon where we had to hide ourselves in any shelter available to recharges before resuming the hike again.
Passing these beautiful ridges was utterly sweet but the forbid-dance of the heat lead us into fast pace. We only seek where our foot will step on with our umbrella hindering the full view of our sorrounding. I was able to reach the Plateau and stayed at this shelter where my fellow hiker stand-by waiting for us. At the shelter area, we can glimpse our fellow hikers raging from the heat descending to the plateau and been decided to prepare water for them.
We all decided to go back to Karingking Resort afterwards, to wash up and prepare for our side trip to Vigan before heading back to Manila.
Initially, the 3rd day leg was summarize into assault, steep descend, and the hot temperature. But overall the hike was a mixture of fun and adversity. It was my first 9/9 experience and it does bring back good memories.
Video
Here is the video of our journey to Mt. Sicapoo. Credit is all to sir Jervine.
Journey
Day 1 - Scaling Gasgas River and to Saulay Campsite
It was summer when we embarked on our journey to Mt.Sicapoo. Upon arrival at Solsona we had a quick stop at one of the public market to get food and a lot of water supply. Since it is the dry season we were told about the heat that we would face along the journey.
We were a bit late when we arrived at Karingking Resort which is the usual jump-off for hikers visiting Mt. Sicapoo.
Mandatory Group picture before commencing our hike
We started our journey tackling the boulders of Gasgas river. I thought the river is given such name because of the wounds and scratches people get whenever scaling this body of water. Interesting to know that our guide confirmed that my theory is right about its name.
There is a lot of reaction and discussion in forums I have reviewed about when is the best time to visit this mountain. During summer Gasgas river is calm and it has low water level so river crossing is enjoyable that one can even enjoy a dip into its clear streams. However the biggest challenge perhaps for most hikers is the punishing heat of the sun into a widely open trail with rare to no water source at all in most part of the climb.
The prominent Gasgas River
It was so warm on our first day that we took quick dip while crossing the river just to get our body temperature to cool down. The team were already joking to just go back and enjoy in the resort area from where we started since the heat was already getting almost unbearable.
But giving up was of course not in the team's option so we had lunch and rest for a while in some shade halfway through a spot they called Markang Bato. Markang Bato is a huge boulder that lies along Gasgas River where the trail up to the ridge starts. This rock is unique in color and shape among all the big boulders and it even has some vandals in it which makes it more identifiable.
If it is hot, go bath!
We started scaling the open ridges when the sun rays were already gentle to the skin. We were careful because both sides of the narrow ridges were cliffs. The trail also has rocks and some holes dig by cows around the area so one wrong step can either get you a sprain or fall off the cliff.
The ridge we scaled after crossing Gasgas River
From Markang Bato to the next spot where we agreed to regroup was a very long assault. Silence was noticeable among the team and all I can hear was us heavily breathing while tackling the trail as we near the regroup spot. After that never ending assault which made me felt like my lungs are about to give up, the team rejoiced as if reaching the summit already upon arriving at the only flat area in the trail, Balbalitok campsite.
It was still few kilometers to go before reaching the final point where we will camp but we enjoyed almost an hour break from trekking in Balbalitok campsite. We cooked and shared our dinner among the group. Shoutout to Abby, for the delicious pasta I had ever tasted by far!!!
Saulay Campsite
After dinner and when the team got some rest we continued to tackle the trail leading to our home for that night. The trail is a gradual assault among the pines and the mossy forest leading to Saulay campsite. This campsite is where we finally pitched our tent and enjoyed the rest of the night drinking and sharing stories on how the heck did we survive day one. Haha!
Day 2 - Road to Penguin
First day was all about reaching the campsite. The main event which was to see a glimpse of that famous boulder at the peak of Mt. Sicapoo is usually done during day two once in a three-day hiking event.
On my way up to Pakpako Campsite
Popularly known as the Penguin, the penguin looking boulder marks the highest peak of Mt. Sicapoo. Hikers usually scale the summit in a day usually leaving their full packs in the campsite. Our team started early bringing enough water and food good for the day.
It was nerve wracking to trek during dawn since it is still dark and the only guide you can see is the light coming from flashlights. There are even some parts of the trail where the soil and rocks are loose that one can easily slip to the cliff if caution is not taken.
The trail to the summit of Sicapoo is rolling with gradual assaults. Walking in the quiet pine forest made me appreciate the peace nature can bring. The ridges from the neighboring mountains can also be seen. After taking some time to enjoy and take pictures me and my buddy continued to trek into the mossy forest leading to the summit.
The countless ridges
We were able to catch up with the lead team at Mt.Pakpako campsite and enjoyed several minutes of rest. Given the limited time we continued to trek towards Mt. Maligcong though we were still incomplete.
The lead team resting above Pakpako Campsite
The blogger at Pakpako Campsite
Mt. Maligcong is the neighboring mountain of Mt. Sicapoo. From the peak of Maligcong where we fed our hungry stomachs the famous Penguin Rock is already visible when the clouds are not enveloping the mountains.
The lead team at the famous Penguin of Mt. Sicapoo
We arrived at the foot of the Penguin safely after roughly an hour from where we took our lunch. As expected the summit was surrounded with fog still we enjoyed our moments nonetheless. We didn't endure the assaults for nothing so we waited patiently while having coffee for the elusive view of the famous rock. After several rounds of coffee and funny stories Mother Nature gave us a nice glimpse of the Penguin.
A fog emerged as we descend back to Saulay Campsite
It was around after lunch when we trekked back to the campsite. We were congratulated by the rest of the team when we arrived around 5pm. We had the rest of the night enjoying our accomplishments that day.
Day 3 - Descent to One Degree Plateau
Breaking camp is the most difficult part of multi-day hiking event. There's the challenge of packing back all your things (you prepared for a day or two) in just a few minutes! Also the separation anxiety I feel whenever going back to the city. At least for me, I honestly don't want to go back.
With Kuya Manny, on our way to Mt. Timarid
After breakfast and breaking camp, everybody was set and ready to go down at 5am. It was one of the clearest morning where the scenic landscapes including the long and steep assault going up to the next mountain, Mt. Timarid can be seen. Yes, I wrote it and you read it right. In order to go down back home we needed to scale and pass thru other mountains first!
Mt. Timarid
The steep ascending open trail is so beautiful as the sun shines in it but it was both punishing because of the literally breath taking trek going up as the sun glares at us.
Some of the boulders that will be pass-through
After an hour of that lung busting assault we were able to reach the summit of Mt. Timarid. Some opted to rest but for some (including me) taking pictures is a must despite the weather and exhaustion. I just cannot help to take shots of the beauty around me and it is somehow energizing.
The team at Mt. Timarid summit
The view of the neighboring mountains of Mt. Simagaysay
Going forward, we were trap into these open ridges where the exposure of heat is open and intense which was become a hindrance to our hike. There were an outburst of anger if I recall (of our fellow hiker), thirst of water, and search for shelter. It was totally hot at that afternoon where we had to hide ourselves in any shelter available to recharges before resuming the hike again.
The team at one of the resting area before our descend to One degree Plateau
Passing these beautiful ridges was utterly sweet but the forbid-dance of the heat lead us into fast pace. We only seek where our foot will step on with our umbrella hindering the full view of our sorrounding. I was able to reach the Plateau and stayed at this shelter where my fellow hiker stand-by waiting for us. At the shelter area, we can glimpse our fellow hikers raging from the heat descending to the plateau and been decided to prepare water for them.
Abby at One Degree Plateua
We all decided to go back to Karingking Resort afterwards, to wash up and prepare for our side trip to Vigan before heading back to Manila.
Initially, the 3rd day leg was summarize into assault, steep descend, and the hot temperature. But overall the hike was a mixture of fun and adversity. It was my first 9/9 experience and it does bring back good memories.
Video
Here is the video of our journey to Mt. Sicapoo. Credit is all to sir Jervine.
|| End
Photo Credit: Maan Villamor and Jervine Dela Pena
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