Philippines: Mount Kalawitan via Sabangan-Sabangan

Date:

30th April to 2nd May 2022

Trips highlight: 

Dwarf Bamboo, Sea of Clouds, Mossy Forest, Rich Flora and Fauna, Pine Forest

Elevation:

+-2000MASL

Mount Kalawitan Height:

2714MASL

Trip Duration:

3 days 2 nights

Cost:

Local: PHP4250/PAX

Non-local: PHP5250/PAX

Requirement:

- Self Supported

- Fully-vaccinated

Mt. Kalawitan (also called Calauit, Calawitan) is an undiscovered gem at the heart of the Cordilleras. From Apa campsite, the 1500 meter vertical distance to the summit can roughly be divided into three, which means you will have 3 different view in the whole trip. The first 500 meters consists of a pleasant forest – the Asoan Pine Forest – with a steepness somewhat reminiscent of Pulag’s Akiki Trail. Past the pine forest, the hiker enters a mossy forest which, although actually culminating at the summit, is terminated at 2200 MASL by a patch of pine trees. In this patch, Halsema Highroad begins to be visible on the right (if on the way to the summit), as well as Tirad Peak and Tirad Pass: it is a view of the Western border of the Cordilleras and Ilocos Sur behind it. The density of moss increases, and the trail also gets somewhat steep (again) in the final leg leading to the summit. Although the summit itself is quite unremarkable and is surrounded with trees, there is a patch of dwarf bamboo that actually serves as the summit landmark. This time, a view of Hungduan, Tinoc, and some other parts of Ifugao may be seen. 

Photo and content source: Pinoy Mountaineer