Guiting-guiting Exploration Day 2 - ABC

My back suffered quietly while I tried to sleep my way into morning. The temperature dropped around 2 or 3 am and a slight breeze delivered it right into my skinny body. All I could do is spread the tent fly and cover myself and hope it gives enough wind protection.

Breakfast was ginataan na daing na bulad (dried parrot fish in coconut milk) and some leftover ulang (a type of river prawn) from the night before. We must load up on food since this is a working day. From Kabit-tubi, we will hike up to Peak 1500, which we designated as ABC (advance base camp), where Ram-mon and the others will be waiting for us. With the help of porters, we'll be carrying liters upon liters of drinking water to sustain our stay up there while breaking trail. Bunny already told us that the way up is steep and the trail heavily vegetated, so I expect myself to be all sweat again by the time we reach ABC five to six hours after. The porters already went ahead, since they need to get back down before dark.

Out of the safe shelter and into the wilderness

At the far end of Kabit-tubi we were able to get a clear view of Mt. Guiting-guiting. The main summit is hidden from this angle, however. The weather seemed promising. The threat of the low pressure area hopefully dissipates the closer we get to D-Day.

Mt. Guiting-guiting, as seen from Kabit-tubi

The trail started on a path that looked as if it was made recently. If you are not familiar with the place, you wouldn't think there was a trail there. Eventually it connects into a network of paths that could get you lost big time if you're not careful. Hunters and rattan gatherers use these trails. 

After half an our we met with the porters who left earlier. They said they cannot continue because they are suffering from stomach pains and their joints are aching. Probable signs of food poisoning and dehydration. A major setback. It was decided that Joel will bring the supplies up to ABC instead, and the other pack (with a 5-gallon jug of water) will be brought up the next day. 

Inside, one of the porters sleep to recover stength

We moved on. Bunny showed us the trail they first used that went up to a point 1,030 meters above sea level (masl). The one we were now following (a more pronounced and used trail) dropped about 150-200 meters before leveling back. From a spot there we can see the sawtooth ridge partially covered by clouds. It was a long way away.

The trail slowly gains elevation again and soon intersects a dry riverbed, which became part of our way up. When dry, the rocks seem secure enough and provides ample purchase. I wondered how it would be once the rains come in.

We come at last to the section that was only opened at the last recon trip of Bunny and Ram-mon. The soil felt bouncier and the vegetation appears recently displaced. It was also steeper now, reminiscent of the way up Kabit-tubi. I was drenched as expected. 

dry riverbed

Further up the vegetation comes closing in even more. We have passed the timber line and into the realm of the upper montane forest. Trees are becoming smaller and moss are covering everything. I found myself squeezing into narrow paths more often now. I feel the plants are out to get me.

We reach a point past the mossy forest where the vegetation changed again. Everything is smaller in size but more densely packed. The path they hacked was barely enough for us to pass through, and the gnarly flora was overzealous in cutting into my bare skin. The situation was getting tense. I was drinking more water and breathing more heavily. In a clearing, we saw that the peak was still further up. 

denser than me

 

I saw Bunny standing without his pack, and I knew we've arrived. Thank goodness! We were greeted with a clear view of Mt. Guiting-guiting, including Mayo's Peak, and more importantly, the sight of the sawtooth ridge. It dawned on me that only a handful of people have stepped into this place, and this is virgin territory. What we are seeing now was probably the first documented sight of the mountain from this perspective! 

Mt. Guiting-guiting's summit, the sawtooth and Mayo's Peak

ABC is a small encampment situated in a subsidiary peak of the one we call Peak 1500. The advance team made sure to keep the size of the camp as small as possible to reduce impact. The camp was empty as expected. We met JM and Kenneth on their way down to Kabit-tubi, and Ram-mon (our camp manager) and the guides have started with the trailblazing going to the ridge. Half an hour later, we see the outlines of the guides and Ram-mon emerging from the other end of the peak. Levi and Bunny joined them to get the beta on the trail while I brewed coffee for the returning team.

ABC. Our new home

We did away with the tent body to save weight and increase space, so our shelters are basically the tent rainfly and tarps as our flooring. Cozy enough when dry, but what happens when it starts to rain, I dare not think for now.

The clouds started to come in as we were having dinner.