Mt. Wiji: A Tale of Endurance and Breathtaking Views

If you haven't read the first part of our journey, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section. ➟ Mt. Kalatungan: A Journey to the Roof of Bukidnon

Descending from the Junction Area to the Bamboo Camp, which is one kilometer away, is not an easy feat. Careful steps are required to avoid potential knee injuries due to the steep slope.

Sanggaya Camp/Bamboo Camp

After a steep descent, the sight of bamboo grass greets you, indicating that the campsite is nearby, even though there isn't any bamboo in the campsite itself.

We arrived at the campsite around lunchtime and pitched our tents while the guides prepared dinner, feeling like señoritos/señoritas throughout the adventure, haha.

I remember taking a nap after setting up our tents, and it was so comfortable that it felt like sleeping in an air-conditioned room, haha. We woke up to find that it was already nighttime, and then had our dinner.

After a satisfying dinner, we all knew we had to end the night early to ensure we could get up early the next day. With a long day ahead of us, we needed to be well-rested to tackle the challenges that lay ahead. As the night grew colder, we tucked ourselves into our sleeping bags, but some of us found that even the bags weren't enough to keep the chill away.

In a moment of ingenuity, a few of us wrapped ourselves in foil emergency blankets, creating an extra layer of insulation against the cold. It wasn't the most comfortable of sleeps, but we knew it was necessary to prepare ourselves for the next day's adventure. With our minds at ease, we closed our eyes and drifted off into a peaceful slumber, ready to take on whatever lay ahead.

The next day

Finally, the third and last day of our journey had arrived. We woke up with excitement as we prepared to climb the final peak before descending back to civilization. With our headlamps on, we began our hike hours before sunrise, eager to catch the breathtaking view of the sunrise from Wiji Peak and maybe even witness a sea of clouds, if we were lucky.

The distance from the campsite to Mt. Wiji Peak was less than a kilometer, but the trail leading there was extremely steep.

I remember my knees and chin almost touching with every step, but thankfully, the cool weather and enough sleep prior to the climb kept me from cursing every step to the top.

All the bodily sores and pains disappeared when we saw the stunning view of the surrounding mountains illuminated by the golden rays of the sun. It was the most beautiful view I had ever seen since I began climbing mountains.

As we reached the peak, I realized that every small step towards the top counts, no matter how slow your pace is. Sometimes, the journey to the summit can be arduous and painful, but with persistence and determination, you can reach the peak. Every obstacle and struggle that you face on the way will make the view from the top even more rewarding. It's important to remember that success is not just about reaching the peak, but also about the journey that gets you there. Even if your progress is slow, keep moving forward, and you will eventually reach your goal. When you finally make it to the top, all the struggles and pain will be worth it, and the feeling of accomplishment will be incomparable.

Mt. Lumpanag/Wiji

Some hikers call this mountain as Mt. Wiji, it was named after the first Japanese who reached the peak but locals called this peak as Mt. Lumpanag or Mt. Makaupao (2819 MASL).

At the summit, there was an infamous dead tree that climbers use as a prop for posing. While my friends took turns posing, I took my time to enjoy the breathtaking view in front of me.

At 7:00 AM, we started our descent. Going down, we'll be passing The Dead Nail's Trail.

Dead Nail's Trail

Figuratively speaking, the steep descent from the peak can feel like it will pop your nails out of existence, HAHA just kidding. But in all seriousness, it's important to trim your toenails before the climb to avoid any discomfort from toenails digging into your skin during the descent.

Along the way, you'll see a lot of signages saying "Danger Zone (Cliff)", so you have to take that precaution very seriously.

Lisihun Creek

Water sources are available at Lisihun Creek (2,430 MASL), and the trail becomes forested again. This is also a sign that you are just about 6 kilometers away from the Brgy. Mendis gymnasium. Yay! We're almost there!

We walked and walked, checking the map as we went, until the 6 kilometers felt like an eternity. CJ and I accompanied John, who was a bit injured and walking with a limp. We took breaks here and there, moving at a leisurely pace and snacking on John's vita cubes along the way.

So. Mahayahay

Two more kilometers to Brgy. Mendis, we hit an open trail with planted crops, meaning we were already nearing civilization. With a little more push, and food as motivation, we reached the gym at lunchtime. Yay!

One of our guides offered to have lunch at his house, and his family prepared chicken tinola for us to eat for free. Yay again!

Photo credits to @mariasalve of DoodleScribbles
Kala-Wiji Chronicles: Part 3 (The Beauty of Mt. Wiji)

Our Kalatungan-Wiji adventure ended with smiles on our faces. The satisfaction you feel when you think of the pain and hardship you encountered along the way. The scratches and cuts on your skin serve as a tattoo, a symbol of your determination and grit to push through the challenging climb and reach the summit.