Mount Guiting-guiting

Mount Guiting-guiting is a mountain on the island of Sibuyan in the Philippines. “Guiting-guiting” in the local dialect literally means “jagged”, in reference to the saw-toothed appearance of the mountain range. Mount Guiting-guiting is widely acknowledged as one of the more challenging climbs in the Philippines, alongside Mount Halcon in Mindoro and Mount Mantalingahan in Palawan. The summit remained unclimbed until 1982 when a team under Arturo Valdez, also of the Philippine Everest Team, led a team that reached Mayo’s peak. It took them another two weeks however to scale the actual summit of Mount Guiting-guiting. SPECIAL NOTE: The Pictures in this album include images from an off-season summit climb in November of 2011.

How to get there: The ship “Mary the Queen” (Romblon Shipping Lines) sails from Pier 12 of the Port of Manila regularly. Alternatively, there are RORO Ferries departing from the port of Batangas that go straight to Sibuyan Island (Montenegro Lines, Viva Shipping, etc.). It would be best to call the shipping companies in advance as they sometimes cancel trips if there aren’t enough passengers or if inclement weather causes cancellations in sailing schedules. If you really want to do it in style, there is an option to fly to nearby Tablas Island with SeaAir and then transfer to a wooden outrigger boat or wait for the ferry from Batangas for the crossing to Sibuyan Island. It might be more convenient to fly to Caticlan or Kalibo in Panay if you’re coming from Cebu. From there, you have the option to take a detour to Boracay Island or just head straight to Sibuyan. Once in Sibuyan Island, head towards Tampayan in the town of Magdiwang and look for the DENR office where you’ll need to get a climbing permit and a guide for the climb. Both of these things are required to visit Mount Guiting-guiting. The climb itself will take about 3-4 days to complete. There is also a new option to do the traverse route of the mountain. In which case you’ll still need permits from the DENR in Magdiwang and then you’ll have to head to the town of San Fernando and book your guides there. IMPORTANT NOTE: Guides impose a strict turn-around time for climbers attempting the mountain. It would be ideal to start the hike early and plan your climb well to avoid a missed opportunity to summit.

Arriving by boat on the island of Sibuyan in Romblon, Philippines.

Unloading people and supplies in Sibuyan Island.

A clear view of Mount Guiting-guiting from the coastline.

Trekking closer to the mountain through an open field in Magdiwang.

The trail pitches up sharply on the last leg to Mayo’s Peak

Very nearly there, but not quite. The view from the trail just below Mayo’s Peak.

The view behind is just as incredible as the one further up the trail.

Breaking camp in Mayo’s Peak on the second day, heading up to the summit.

The infamous knife-edged trail of Mount Guiting-guiting served at breakfast.

November 2011: OFF-SEASON CLIMB

Starting the climb in Barangay Tampayan in Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island.

Entering the Guiting-guiting Natural Park after the first river crossing.

Trails are muddy this time of year because of non-stop rains.

The trail to camp 1 goes through a thickly forested area.

Unbelievably, this is what the trail looks like in the off-season.

Breaking through the thick brush on the trail to Camp 3.

Bulod’s Spring is slightly more abundant than in the summer.

A break in the cloud cover reveals Mayo’s Peak in the distance.

Climbing the last stretch to Mayo’s Peak with Magdiwang in the background.

The surrounding terrain pitches up dramatically around Mayo’s Peak.

The famous tree just below the Mayo’s Peak campsite.

Mountain flora right on the trail to Mayo’s Peak.

First clearing at the Mayo’s Peak campsite.

Pitching my Sandugo Tent in Mayo’s Peak.

Spacious interior of my Sandugo tent with clouds rolling in.

First sighting of the summit early the next morning.

Veteran guide Toto Tansiongco waiting to cross the knife-edge trail.

Toto hunting for footholds among the rocks of the knife-edge trail.

The knife-edge, up close and personal!

Taking a break right on the edge of two chasms.

Ascending the “Camelback” on the knife-edge trail.

Hiking turns into something more strenuous at the other end of the knife-edge.

Climbing out of the cloud-covered knife-edge trail.

The trail becomes markedly steeper after the knife-edge crossing.

One wall after another from here to the summit.

Narrow little trails and pocket-sized footholds is the name of the game.

Thick cloud cover makes the height more manageable in your mind.

Traversing wet rock on the way up to the “Peak of Deception”.

Navigating the famous “Kiss the Wall” section of the trail.

And then climbing back into more stable rock.

A brief interlude in wall-climbing work on the way to the summit.

And a quick glimpse of the jagged trail behind us.

Toto checking the trail during a short break in the white-out.

Before going right back to work leading the way to the summit.

Surrounded by the fractured rock walls of Guiting-guiting.

Quiet moment at a rather serious part of the trail.

Windswept and rain-soaked, Weng makes it around a tricky boulder.

Enjoying another break in the cloud cover.

Hunting for holds in the wet rocks high up on Guiting-guiting.

Marking out the route on the 90 degree wall before the summit.

Game faces on near the top of the climb.

Walls of rock behind us, the summit is just a few more minutes away.

Nearly at the summit but still slow going in the rain.

Flat ground at last on the summit of Mount Guiting-guiting!

Surveying the proverbial “reward” at the top of the climb.

Unfurl the flag, high-five each other, get back down, that’s the plan!

EXTRA PICTURES

Running into “Bulod” and his carabao on the road after the climb.

The man whose name is forever synonymous with Mount Guiting-guiting.

Picture with the trailblazing duo of “Bulod” and Toto Tansiongco.

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