Mt. Parawagan (Traverse) - A mountain in Wawa that deserves a second look

Since the Wawa Dam area became a significant tramping ground of mountaineers and occasional hikers, it is now very easy to see pictures of the twin mountains Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan, including their so-called big brother, Mt. Haponang Banoi, and the more distant Mt. Ayaas.

Without much of a surprise, left in the shadows of these mountaineering gems is Mt. Parawagan, the mountain on the southwestern portion of the Wawa Dam. Because of the established dirt road that meander on its slopes, it does not really attract a lot of hikers and mountaineers to summit it. Nevertheless, it has remained a favorite for mountain bikers and trail runners.

 

Mt. Parawagan....photo taken while in Mt. Binacayan

Mt. Parawagan....view from Mt. Pamitinan

In the same fashion as Sir Edmund Hillary had declared upon scaling Mt. Everest, we decided to go and climb Mt. Parawagan just because "it is there".

At the jump-off in Wawa, we paid the mandatory registration fee of P2.00. Although the trail is actually an established dirt road, we were still required to secure the services of a local guide. Hence, we had no choice but to comply.

Mt. Apo - MANP-PAMB issues new Trekking Policy

Climbing Mt. Apo has been in the bucket list of every Filipino Mountaineer. Mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts, especially those coming from Luzon, would literally need months to organize a climb in Mt. Apo. Most would likewise tighten their belts in a bid to finance this so-called climb of a lifetime.

Just recently, climbers and mountaineers went abuzz in popular social media sites, decrying the drastic increase of Entrance/Exit and Guide Fees. The main object of their distaste is Resolution No. 2015-01 that was promulgated and issued by the Mt. Apo Natural Park - Protected Area Management Bureau (MANP-PAMB).

This is issue on fees that hikers are being made to pay is already nothing new. This has been a perennial problem by mountaineers, but I must admit that the PAMB in Mt. Apo has really taken this issue to unprecedented levels. Imagine a climber/hiker who is from Luzon like me would need to shell at least PhP7,000.00 up to P10,000.00 just to be able to climb the Philippines' highest point (...of course this includes airfare already and other transportation expenses...and meals...).

For example, a sample computation of expenses (based on my crude estimate) by a hiker from Luzon is provided below:

Promo Airfare = PhP1,500.00
Guide = PhP1,000.00 per day X 3days = PhP3,000.00 / 5 pax = PhP600.00
Porter = PhP500 per day X 3days = PhP1,500.00
Entrance Fee = PhP1,000.00
Exit Fee = PhP1,000.00
Transportation = PhP500.00
Food = PhP1,000.00

Total (Estimate) = P7,100.00


Other important matters that hikers/climbers ought to remember include the following:

1. Walk-in Trekkers are strictly prohibited. Pre-booking with the applicable Local Government Unit (LGU)s

2. Cooking shall be done only through portable burners. Use of firewood is prohibited.

3. Smoking is strictly prohibited.

4. All trails are closed during the dry season and when there is an absence of rain for the past two (2) months.

5. There are also other prohibited practices such as vandalism, collection of flora and fauna, bringing knives more than 3 inches in length, and indecent practices. Penalty is PhP2,000.00, and possible blacklisting of the offender.

For more information, you may refer to the pictures below.


***Credit goes to the owner of the pictures used below as these were shared by different people in Facebook.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

There are a number of trails to choose from in climbing Mt. Apo. And should you wish to climb via the Sta. Cruz Trail,  you can visit the Tourism Office of Sta. Cruz (Davao del Sur) or contact the personnel in-charge through telephone number 082-2720741 or mobile number 09208567991.

 

Tramping Advisory 004

Mt. Apo Climb Rules and Regulations

Mt. Pulag - Weather Advisory (Typhoon Ineng)

In view of the impending effects of Typhoon Ineng in Northern Luzon this coming long-weekend (August 21-23), the Office of the Mount Pulag National Park Superintendent has issued an advisory dissuading all trekkers from pushing through their scheduled climbs on the abovementioned dates.

Please be advised accordingly.

 

For more updated information, you may access the Facebook Account of the Mt. Pulag National Park / Mt-Pulag-National-Park-Bulletin or call Sir Roy at +63 929 166 8864

 

Tramping Advisory 003
Typhoon Ineng - Northern Luzon