The beauty of Apo encompasses no other. I realized it on the 2nd day while going through an uphill battle towards a seemingly endless mounds of white rocks popularly known as “The Boulders”. It was just so beautiful, other worldly and simply awesome, makes me think of Essos (Game of Thrones where Dainerys is). Haha! The yellowish patches of sulfur, the smoke on the side and the fog makes it more beautiful but dangerous. The fog sometimes cover the ribbon-ed path, forcing us to stop and wait until it goes away, letting us continue. Hearsays tell of a mountaineer that forced its way despite the fog got lost in the boulders. We were never told to stop but is it not common sense to do so?!
Day 2
0530 Wake up
0630 Breakfast
A good night’s rest always makes a difference. I woke up inspired and ready to start the day with preparing breakfast only to be stop by the thought that I don’t know how to light the burner. And as if by heaven’s grace, the owner of the burner drops by. Hooray!
0730 Tinikaran Break Camp
After breakfast, we proceeded breaking up camp ahead of the others. But because we’ve been slow packers, they catch up almost immediately. Around 8 AM, we were ready to conquer the said to be the hardest part of all – The Boulders.
0800 Trek to boulders
The path were mostly covered with trees, the ground was still moist with dew thus slippery.
1000 Boulders
2 hours after, we reached a dried creek – an entrance to the boulders. The group stop by in awe of the smoking mountain.
1145 Lunch
We continued our journey until our stomach grumbled. Had lunch at a clearing in the middle of the rocks.
0100 White Sand
After lunch, the guide assured us that we’re halfway thru. Reaching white sand is our salvation from the boulders.
The view of white sand was picturesque so the group took the time to cam-whored.
Crater Lake
0230 Apo Base Setup Camp
I was still in high spirits upon reaching the camp so I wasted no time, have my team setup our tents and prepared an early dinner. It was super cold but the heat of the sun balances it. After we’re done, we prepared to climb the peak.
0400 Kidapawan Peak for sunset
We weren’t actually able to see the sun set because of the clouds! Anyhoo, it was still a beauty to behold. We waited until the wind was chilly enough and hurried back to the camp. When we reached the camp, I cooked soup and had an early dinner. After preparing to sleep, the group called to play our favorite game – The Resistance. After 3 rounds or so, we called it a night.
Here are some of my favorite pics and panoramas of Day 2!
Apo Series:
Prologue
Apo Day 1: Overnight At Tinikaran Camp
Apo Day 2: Sunrise and Sunset in 2 Different Peaks -> You are here.
Apo Day 3: Lake Venado’s Grandeur
Apo Day 4: Playing with Kidapawan River
The WANDER (FULL) LIFE 
pahingi ng fresca… 🙂
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Hahaha! Di namin naubos yong Fresca. Binigay namin sa guide after. Overestimated yong food! 😛
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haha.. nakaka relate lang ako sa fresca na yan.. yan din kase nababaon namin. 🙂
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I really hope more pouch foods will be available in the market soon. Konti lang mapilian eh. Not really a fan of canned goods. Not a very good cook too so no choice. Haha!
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hehe.. Eventually, you will become a good cook in the camp. You’ll even learn to create your own camp recipe. Yung pouched tuna and corned beef pde ring haluan ng mga gulay or bihon or anything.. 🙂
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Will try it next climb. Wala pa kaming sked din. I’m over bored na. 😛
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great photos!
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Thanks! Yours are stunning. Are you into die hard photography? Mind is just so-so. I’m more into quantity than quality. LOL
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DI naman die hard. Obsessed lang hehe. 🙂 You’ve captured beauiful moments ant that’s more important. Photography and adventure goes together.. The more adventures you did, the more that you will developed your shooting skills. Someday, you’ll find yourself obsessed with photography too like me… hehe 🙂
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Sana 😀 Do you bring DLSR on climbs? Or just point and shoot? Most of the pictures I saw in your blog looks DLSRy to me. 😀
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depende ….. but usuallyI bring DSLR and digicam. There were some points na digicam is the right thing. Bigat kase ng DSLR then risky dalhin sa mahihrap na trail, that makes digicam better.
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Right. Bigat ng DSLR. Then mahal pa. Dapat over handle with care. Haha! Kaya nga seguro ayoko ng DSLR. 😀 Yong BF ko nice yong cam, kaso lang because it’s nice, I opt to have him take my picture LOL I want to be the one behind and in a good picture. Hirap mamili. 😀
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