MT. DULANG-DULANG
Lantapan, Bukidnon

Major jump-off: Sitio Bol-ogan, Brgy. Songco, Lantapan
LLA: 8.09798°N 124.9605°E 2938 MASL (#2)
Days required / Hours to summit: 2 days / 10 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail class 2-4

BACKGROUND

The second-highest mountain in the Philippines also possesses one of the most impressive forests in the country.
Mt. Dulang-Dulang, chief among the high mountains the Kitanglad mountain range, possesses a mystical aura that visitors compare to the elven forests of Rivendell in "Lord of the Rings". Indeed, the long trek to the peak boasts of a variety of landscapes, starting from the wide trails with pine trees and grassland and progressing into denser and denser jungles. The jungle will reach a point that virtually everything is covered with moss and clouds. Trees are like bonsai, with spiraling, convoluted branches and 'beards' of lichen and white moss that give an 'ancient' feel to the forest. The temperature goes down even in daytime, and when you emerge from this jungle to the clearing at the peak, you can behold the whole of the Kitanglad range and even catch a glimpse of majestic Mt. Apo.

Dulang-Dulang, like Pulag and Apo, is sacred to the locals. The Talaandig tribe of Lantapan have been accorded rights to the mountains as their "ancestral domains". Hence it is a must to secure their blessing to climb Mt. Dulang-Dulang. It is said that they limit the climbers to groups of 20, although this demand is somewhat negotiable. Nevertheless, a ritual sacrifice of chickens is done before every climb by the datu, and climbers perform the ritual of hanging bands of white cloth at the summit, as respect to the native culture. These traditions add to the mysticism of Mt. Dulang-Dulang.

Usually, Manila-based climbers go with Mindanao-based groups when climbing Mt. Dulang-Dulang; it is logistically difficult to go independent without local knowledge or contacts. Climbers fly to CDO, then take the bus to Malaybalay, Bukidnon. From there, jeepneys are arranged to go to Lantapan. The last leg of the drive is comprised of rough roads which become very slippery when wet. You will then spend the night at the jump-off. Add two days to the climb proper, and the whole trip becomes a total of 3 days. Although very difficult, experienced climbers attempt the "Mt. Dulang-Dulang - Mt. Kitanglad Traverse", which takes you deeper into the heart of the Kitanglad mountain range to reach the second highest peak in the range, Mt. Kitanglad (4th highest in the Philippines). It is considered by some one of the top 5 most challenging climbs in the country.

The pristine and mystical environment of Mt. Dulang-Dulang makes it worthy to stand among Mt. Apo and Mt. Pulag as one of the three highest mountains in the Philippines.

                 Manny's Garden (named after the late Manny Serina, the 'great pillar' of mountaineering in Mindanao

                                                                                     Mt. D2 Summit

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