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M. Ugo (2,150+ MASL) - 2D1N Kayapa To Itogon Traverse


Here's a quick info regarding Mt. Ugo from Pinoymountainer.

MT. UGO (2,150+) Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet Jump-off points: Kayapa, N. Vizcaya; Brgy. Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet LLA: 16.31916°N, 120.80166°E, 2130 MASL Days required / hours to summit: 2-3 days, 9-10 hrs Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail Class 1-3 Features: Pine forests, highland villages, views of Cordillera peaks

Mt. Ugo is a major climb located in Benguet together with Mt.Pulag, Mt. Amuyao and Mt. Napulauan. At first, I was a bit shock to know that "Ugo" means "beheading someone". Scary isn't it? They said that during the Spaniards era, native people used the mountain as their hiding place and at the same time this is where they beheaded their Spanish or American captives.

Another interesting story was how the mountain was discovered. It was when an aircraft - PAL bound to Baguio crashed in the slopes of Mt. Ugo last June 26, 1987. It killed all people on-board. To cut it short, with all the operations happened in search of the aircraft it paved the way for trails, and soon, becomes a new hiking destination among mountaineers.

The original plan was to to hike Mt. Amuyao, but because some of our friends can't make it. Me, joy and Ivann decided to join our another friend who organized a traverse hike to Mt. Ugo. We just paid for a reasonable amount for the transportation, tour guide and registration.

We left Manila at 10:00 PM and arrived at Kayapa, Benguet around 5 AM the next day. Pretty early to start the trek, so we decided to eat breakfast and have some coffee while our friend was looking for our tour guide.

After praying and a short instructions from our guide, we are now ready to start the trek.

The first part of the climb is an open trail. We really took our time because we weren't in a rush since the goal was to reach Indulpit Village any time in the afternoon.

Resting for a while.

Our first group pic.

It took us 4 and a half hours to finish the first part of the climb. The weather isn't stable at that time. When we found out that there's a greater chance of raining in the evening, we decided to stay at the elementary school for the night than camping at the campsite.

Ten minutes before we reached the school where we will stay for the night, we again took a lot of pictures. The area is so wide that we can see the summit from a far.

Resting early for day 2 of hiking.

Our version of bonfire. :)

And because we have enough rest, we woke up early the next day to start the trek going to the summit.

I wasn't able to get pictures going to the summit because it was raining. But before we reached the summit, we passed by an unlimited assault going to the campsite and a mossy forest to the summit.

Then after we took our time in the summit, we decided to descend.

The sun started to show up as we descend. We really enjoyed the magnificent view.

These pine trees reminded me of "Twilight". Where are you Edward? :)

This is the Itogon bridge, the last part of the trek.

ITINERARY

Day 0 2200 ETD from Cubao

Day 1 0500 ETA Aritao or Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, 0530 ETD for Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya 0700 ETA Kayapa, Registration, secure guides, breakfast 08000 Start Trek 1200 ETA Indupit Village / Lunch 1300 Resume trek to Domolpos 1700 ETA Domolpos Village. Stay in the Elementary School

Day 2 0300 Wake up call, breakfast 0330 ETD to the summit 0600 ETA Mt. Ugo Summit

0800 Start descent on very steep, ridge-like pine forest trail

1100 ETA Lusod Village, lunch, register at Brgy. Hall 1300 Resume trek 1600 ETA Itogon Village; take pictures at Itogon bridge 1630 End of trek.

1730 ETD for Baguio

1800 ETA Baguio, Dinner

2000 ETD Manila

It was an amazing journey for me. 2 days of hiking is no joke but it was worth every pain. I will definitely wanted to go back.

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