Mt. Baloy-Daku: The never-ending “three-hour” hike to the summit

Hello, Hive!

Yes, you read that title right. I’m back with the highlight of our Mt. Baloy climb. Finally, after so many delays and digressions, I will be taking you straight to the summit this time. 😅

The three mountains comprising Panay Trilogy – Mt. Madjaas, Mt. Nangtud, and Mt. Baloy-Daku – are notorious for its difficult trails. Even my friends and I had our first taste of defeat in Mt. Madjaas last year. So, it’s no surprise that we were more cautious here as we began the final ascent to Mt. Baloy-Daku.

The group woke up at 2 AM and started preparing. Luckily, we didn’t have to bring full packs with us during this climb. We were told to take only the necessary stuff in our assault bags, for any overpacking would slow us down. Hydration, sir Ben pointed out, was our biggest challenge. Throughout the seven-hour hike (one way), there was only one water source and the problem was, it might have dried up due to the summer season. Sir Ben then suggested that we bring an extra water bottle and leave it along the trail for our return fuel.

By 3:40 AM, we left the campsite and started the climb. The air was cold and heavy with anticipation.

Hiking in the dark, one step at a time

As expected, the trail to the summit was a direct assault. It twisted steeply upward and the only sound you could hear were labored breaths and occasional grunts from struggling hikers.

We were divided in three groups: the lead with Shiela, Junji, James, Chiarra, and I; the mid with Lester, Sir Lando, and Sir Leo; and the sweep with France and Gio. Soon, the trail grew steeper, forcing us to drop on all fours with our hands holding onto the damp earth and roots for support.

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We strained against the incline until the sun rose. As the light filtered through the trees, our eyes slowly adjusted to the path. By 6:45 AM, we finally reached the open ridge. And boy, what a view!

Gorgeous panoramas from Mt. Baloy-Daku's open ridge

There, a thousand meters above sea level, my friends and I stood in awe. The layers of mountains, each shaded slightly different as they recede, drew everyone’s attention. It made us think how far we’ve come, and how much more there is to explore.

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The ridge has a very steep incline and climbing it was physically exhausting. But we pushed ourselves just to get to the perfect spot where we could comfortably soak in nature's beauty.

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In front us, the sun was in full view. But even with the scorching heat, we couldn’t help but to stay a little longer. A few borrowed seconds to stare, snap some photos, record videos – to immortalize this very scene that we were all witnessing for the first time.

This climb was also extra special for one particular hiker since it’s not only his second major, but also his birthday climb. At 50, sir Lando still has the energy and muscle strength to pursue this hobby. Just wow!

We breathed in the fresh air and breathed out the stress before finally resuming the hike. There were three more hours to cover according to our guides. None of us thought that it’d be the longest three hours of our lives.

The obstacle course to the summit

After the open ridge, we’re back to the forested mountain. This section was somewhat darker because of its thicker canopy, which gave it an eerie vibe. As we climbed higher, Chiarra started feeling nauseous and queasy. It might be altitude sickness or hyperacidity. Or both. She tried enduring the discomfort but soon opted to forgo the summit. It took a while for the guides to agree on whether to have someone wait with her or leave her with a handheld radio. In the end, they chose the latter and had Chiarra rest to regain her strength when we return.

_{Here's a rough translation of Chiarra's POV: "As I was waiting for you, I kept overthinking. I had a lot of 'what ifs' in my head, especially in terms of my safety. Hahahaha but the view made me forget it all plus I even slept! Who couldn't with that kind of comfort. It felt like I was looking through the mountain's window and that was the view. Hahahaha"}

The hike continued and this time, our fastest trio – France, Gio, and Junji – decided to take the lead. We were briefed beforehand that the trail up ahead was the most technical so I guess it was wise to have these men pave the way for us slowpokes.

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By 8 AM, we finally reached the dreaded ragiwriw forest. Ragiwriw, also called climbing pandan, are woody plants known for its serrated leaves which could easily catch on clothing or scratch the skin. However – more than its sharp leaves – I think what hikers need to be wary of are its stems and roots.

I’m not sure about the specific species, but the ragiwriw in Mt. Baloy-Daku have tangled, sprawling growth habit. At first, it was fine since we could still clearly see the trail. But, as we moved deeper into the forest, it became an obstacle course. Overlapping aerial roots and arched stems formed a chaotic network across our path. We had to navigate through the dense thickets, careful not trip over the knotted roots or get scratched by the thorny leaves. This section really consumed majority of our strength.

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When we finally got over the ragiwriw forest, the weather changed. Thick fog enveloped the mountain and I was worried that it would rain. Thankfully, it did not.

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After climbing the next hill, we met with the lead group who looked just as exhausted as we were. France was lying on the ground wrapped in emergency blanket, while Gio and Junji were scrunched in the corner. Sir Ben told us that we still had three more hours to hike and we were already on the verge of giving up. Defeated, we sat quietly in circle – part resting, part rethinking our life’s decisions.

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Then, all of the sudden, Junji took out a rectangular wooden plank out of nowhere and yelled “It’s a prank!!!” Turned out we actually reached the summit! Laughter erupted for a prank well served. Of course, we also did the same with the sweep group. 😉

Time check, 10:45 AM. This, ladies and gents, is the summit of Mt. Baloy-Daku at 1,958 MASL.

To commemorate our success, we took several photos with our guides. We also congratulated two of colleagues – James and Lester – who finally completed the Panay Trilogy.

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MEANWHILE… while all of these excitement were happening, one of us (aside from Chiarra) was having the best staycation of his life back in the campsite. Here's Karl's POV in his own words:

_{I woke up at 4 AM with the decision not to pursue the summit and set aside my ego. I informed France about my decision and then to everyone after the prayer before starting the trek. Everyone was shocked, what do you expect?}

_{I joined the guide's camp beside the river and borrowed one of their hammocks. There was never a dull moment, as he was packed with numerous stories about being a guide in Antique and claiming that Baloy is the hardest among them all. I received updates as the base radio was just right beside me, until around 10 AM when we received information that Chiarra could not make it and decided to stop midway.}

_{Oh well. It made me smirk.}

_{Sir Ben cooked an exotic frog. The whole process of cooking was complex, and at the first bite, I was not sure if it was to my liking, but the dried fish tasted way better, so I finished it all instead of the frog. Afterward, I spent most of the afternoon relaxing in the river and literally escaping the horrors of the city. The feeling will always be nostalgic as this is a very unique major climb, I get to enjoy a slow morning to afternoon enjoying what life should truly feel like. The energy of that river current drives the stresses away as the weather amicably joins forces with you that day. The calm breeze plus the soothing sound of nature drives everything you truly need on a vacation.}

_{Life is good.}

_{Then contrary to what I felt, I was joined by the depleted lead pack (France, Junji, Gio, and Chiarra) who looked like shit.}

Third day ended with us feeling fulfilled — and Karl feeling refreshed. The fourth day was spent making our way back to civilization. We hiked the same trails and halfway through the river, we opted to pay extra Php 400/pax to ride a motorcycle. The drive, however, was a major experience in itself. It was heart-stopping and life-threatening! HAHA. But I wouldn't be writing about it anymore since this blog has gone too long. Here's a short video instead.

See you on the trails! If you want to join us, or looking for someone to organize your next adventure, message France of fv-photography. Where to next? 🤣

Related blogs in this series:

📍 Mt. Baloy-Daku: The grueling trek through Kangaranan River

📍 Mt. Baloy-Daku: Our hiking highs and river dipping delights