Mt. Sicapoo Apayao Trail

posted on Saturday, October 19, 2024

I have been warned.

Mt. Sicapoo’s challenge got me into a hopeful Goldilocks zone on my birth month---not too easy but not too much. Or so I thought. Hehe

Soaring at 2,354 MASL, Mt. Sicapoo is a major climb considered as Region 1’s tallest peak nestled between the provinces of Apayao and Ilocos Norte. Its Rosary Trail traversing the Solsona mountain range has long been known as one of the toughest climbs in the country upping its 9 out of 9 level of difficulty. No wonder the mountain’s reopening last April 2024 has yet again marked its way back to any mountaineer’s bakit list. Mt. Sicapoo’s reopening, however, aimed to introduce the new Apayao Trail, as the Rosary Trail remains closed.

The Apayao (back) trail is 22 kilometers long passing through Camp 1, Camp 2...all the way to Mt. Sicapoo’s summit, its iconic Penguin rock formation and back to the Ranger Station jump-off at Barangay Butao, Calanasan, Apayao. Ling and I joined the iCLIMBmountain organizer for the fee P6,000 per person. It is inclusive of private van transpo, registration, guide and environmental fees plus five meals. There were 10 of us in the group and we were off to the jump-off past 8:00 pm. Land travel is roughly 12 hours.

Our 3-day journey started the following day by 8:30 am. We were led by local guide, Kuya Elmo, who also cleared the trail along the way. Our group was greeted with a not too hot, not too cold kind of weather. Goldilocks zone check. No rain but no clearing, too. The balance was in the clouds hiding the unli-ridge view. The terrain was honestly pretty rough. No established paths which was as expected. It was as raw as it could get. Steep, monkey trails pa more. Oh and the leeches! Almost everyone had their bloody bouts. It took us 5 hours and 30 minutes to reach Camp 1. Lo and behold, it also started raining when we arrived. We had just enough time to set up camp.

We were rocked by overnight wind and rains. Our prayers were answered when the rain stopped by the time we had breakfast on our second day. By 9:00 am, we were summit-bound. The all too familiar rugged terrain, steep ridges and dense mossy forests were upon us. Hello again, blood sucking leeches. Reaching Camp 2 was no doubt a challenge. But it was the drive to get it over with that pushed us forward. Nature’s wonders presented themselves in the details. Various flora and fauna were not to miss especially the pitcher plants. Ling and I reached the summit by 1:49 pm. Still no clearing but to see the Penguin rock formation up close sure gave me all the feels. The irony of this feat was beyond me. Mt. Sicapoo was a mix of all I’ve trained for and more. It was literally a test of patience, strength and endurance. All my Goldilocks zone workouts surely paved way to this culmination...conquering all my fears and doubts. Just the perfect gift two weeks before I turn another year older.

The 4 grueling hours of trek back to Camp 1 was pure torture because of the afternoon rain. I was simply grateful to have done it...despite everything. Our last and final day was one of the toughest. Imagine going through the same terrains...only this time---more drenched, more slippery, more weather beaten, more everything. I may have second-guessed my Goldilocks zone time and again during this journey but knowing I was able to endure and conquer Mt. Sicapoo was the only assurance I needed.

Thank you, Mt. Sicapoo. It was an honor to have experienced your trails.

See also our climb up Mt. Apo, Kibungan Cross Country, Mt. Makiling, Mt. Napulauan, Mt. Purgatory Traverse, Tarak Ridge, Mt. Ugo, Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg Trail, Mt. Arayat, Mt. Balagbag, Mt. Amuyao, Mt. Pigingan, Mt. Pulag via Akiki Trail, Mt. Pulag via Ambaguio-Tawangan Traverse and Mt. Timbak.