On August 5-6, 2023, I climbed Kampalili Mountains Passing through Sitio Kaluyapi in Maragusan, Davao de Oro, and finally completing the three great peaks of Davao de Oro, and Mt. Candalaga (I climbed in 2016) and Baifeng (I climbed last year). Once elusive and inaccessible, Campalili features mossy forests reminiscent of Talomo and limestone cliffs similar to Mantaringajan – unique to the mountainous regions of Mindanao. I joined a group organized by Ms. Tina Corpuz, who had led the successful Macaturin trek a few days earlier (see Hiking Tips #750), led by Paken (with whom I also hiked White Peak).
Even before we started the hike, we had to overcome the challenge of taking a “katig” (or “skylab”) to Sitio Kalayupi, the starting point of the trek (the rest of the group had already gone ahead of us and enjoyed a mesmerizing night of fireflies). It was already 9am when we started the trek, starting at about 1162m. Next came a series of abaca slopes and a mossy forest; after 2100m, we stopped climbing and followed a winding path along the hillside, finally reaching the campsite 5 hours later, at about 1400.
The next day, we started hiking at 3:30 a.m., hoping to reach the summit at sunrise. The trail once again meandered through the mossy forest, but this time it was steeper and more demanding than the day before.
We reached the characteristic limestone cliffs at the top of the mountain at dawn, but it would take another 30 minutes to reach the top, at 6 a.m. At first, we were shrouded in mist, but eventually the clouds parted and we saw beautiful views of the nearby mountains, including White Peak, Kandalaga and Hamegittan.
Like Macaturin, we had reserved three days for this hike, but we were back at camp by 10:00 and decided to do a two-day hike, even taking a detour to a beautiful lagoon in front of Manila Muar on the way to Sitio Kaluyapi. The toxic air made the hike dangerous Aringatung But for biologists and nature lovers, there is plenty of flora and fauna here, and at a difficulty 7/9 hike, the route is pleasant most of the time.
A huge thank you to everyone who organized and participated in this unforgettable hike!
