Against All Odds | Mt. Guiting-Guiting (2,058+), Romblon
Sibuyan, Romblon: Saw-toothed peaks, precarious rocky trails, endemic flora and fauna, and the unparalleled otherworldly landscapes – all those stories about how challenging and scary Mt. Guiting-Guiting are all true.
In this adventure, let us take you to the equally breathtaking yet challenging trails of the mighty Mt. Guiting-Guiting!
This is the author’s 77th Philippine province he visited last March 16-20, 2023.
Travel guide here: Against All Odds | Mt. Guiting-Guiting (2,058+) Travel Guide 2023
MT. GUITING-GUITING
Sibuyan Island, Romblon
Major Jump-off: Brgy. Tampayan, Magdiwang, Sibuyan
LLA: 12°24’50″N, 122°34’4″E, 2058 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 3 days / 10-13 hours
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 9/9, Trail Class 5 with rock climbing/scrambling
(www.pinoymountaineer.com)
In this hike, I was using the new Merrell Moab 3 which provided comfort on our three-day climb. The thick cushioning provided plenty of isolation from the sharp rocky trails and non-stop rains. #LetsGetAway.
GET IT HERE!
Also wearing the new Next Trail Gradient Tee on this challenging hike! With breathable Dri-fit fabric that kept me cool, dry, and active as we clambered up the boulders of the sharp ultramafic rocks of the mountain.
GET IT HERE!
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Day 01: The Galapagos of Asia
Just like on a pain scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, Mt. Guiting-Guiting, called aptly as G2 is on the extreme side with its 9/9 difficulty rating. This revered mountain sits alongside Mt. Halcon of Mindoro, and Mt. Mantalingajan of Palawan which forms the veritable and infamous MIMAROPA Knife Edge Trilogy climbs.
Sibuyan Island has extremely high endemism largely due to its remoteness and isolation which earned its reputation as the “Galapagos of Asia”.
Moreover, it has the densest forest ever recorded in the Philippines. Subsequently, it also has a high endemism rate for both flora and fauna, meaning they cannot be found elsewhere in the world but only here.
Our hike started a bit late at 03:00 in the afternoon after traveling for almost a day from Manila. On our first day, we decided to reach Camp 3 by dinner time to set up camp.
Day 01: En Route to Camp 3
After a quick market run, registering at the DENR station, and last-minute preparations, it is finally time to do some serious business.
At the trailhead (35 MASL), we had to cross the Ga-ong River several times before we wore our shoes and refilled our water bottles. Right after, the thick forest cover started to engulf us, and the occasional sounds of birds and Warty Pigs echoed around us.
The trail began to rise steeply with occasional rocks, slippery roots, and dense mud weighing our shoes down.
An hour passed before we reached Camp 1 (350 MASL), then another hour again before we arrived at Camp 2 (730 MASL). Continuing on, sharp ascents greeted us as we made our way to Camp 3, then the rain started to pour like crazy.
Then as two more hours passed, cloaked in complete darkness and drenched in the evening downpour, we finally reached Camp 3 (1,270 MASL)!
Day 02: Knife Edge
The following day, we resumed our climb and reached Mayo’s Peak (1,500 MASL) after an hour. Right after, we commenced on the now-becoming precarious part of the climb.
As we got to the view deck of Mayo’s Peak, the full knife-edge section greeted us. It was not a welcoming sight at all, but man, that view is to die for.
The trail now poses hazardous ravines that one misstep might send you hurtling down to your mortal peril.
As we reached a boulder-covered ridge, a thick bank of fog rolled in, and everything went silent. It is as if the mountain greeted us with its now volatile weather.
A thick fog obscured all the precipitous drops along crags throughout the trail. To add, being buffeted by gusts of gale-force winds was not a fantastic treat, and I was not sure if it was a blessing or if it was the other way around.
Another hour passed as we descended from Mayo’s Peak, and we arrived at Eagle’s Rock (1,420 MASL) for a much-needed break.
Soldiering on, the whole trail is now just rock after boulder after crag. The oppressive fog with non-stop drizzle made the rocks more slippery. The trail now appeared in a new terrifying light: steep promontories jutted out in front of us, let’s talk about crazy.
Subsequently, we had to duck and twist our bodies in awkward positions just to get past each boulder which is like puzzle pieces that need solving.
Day 02: Kiss the Wall
Thinking the trail was already hard at the knife-edge segment, it started to become even more serious as we got past the “Kiss the Wall” (1,500 MASL) portion.
Consequently, it was not actually terrifying at all if you got a good grip and just the right foothold, and kissing it would even be a good idea!
A quick lunch at Mabel’s Spring fueled us with much-needed energy.
From there, the Peak of Deception is just an hour and a half away. Breathtaking and scary, we clambered onto sharp ultramafic rocks and boulders, holding onto our dear lives tackling the vertical ascents.
We reached the Peak of Deception (1,630 MASL), and it truly lived up to its name, I thought it was already the summit.
The rocky landscape at this point was a privilege for us to see. Imagine these immense boulders as big as buildings were carefully sculpted for eons and were once inaccessible to man.
Day 02: 90-Degree Wall
Vertigo-inducing and as if it were the last boss, reaching the summit required a very intense climb up the vertical cliff called the “Hillary Pass”.
Moreover, this portion is where the 90-Degree Wall is located. Needless to say, this 60-70 feet high rock face required us to be extra careful. One wrong move could send you plummeting to the depths below.
I had to admit that it scared the hell out of me, it was one of the few times in the mountains where I was panic-stricken and petrified to move right after I reached the top part.
Then there came the “Walk of Fame” segment which was a sigh of relief because it was just a few hundred meters away from the Secret Garden Campsite (2,015 MASL) and Summit (2,058 MASL).
Despite the danger and exhaustion, we faced that afternoon, we finally settled down at the campsite and prepared food for another glorious day ahead of us.
Pelting rain and intense winds gushed at our campsite the whole night eventually flooding our tent. We were forced to evacuate and squeeze the four of us inside a two-person tent.
Day 03: G2 Summit
Despite barely having no sleep at all on our flooded campsite, the following morning we decided to start the day by greeting the sun at the summit of Mt. Guiting-Guiting. And just like that, the welcoming fiery glow of the morning sun slowly greeted us – the fog gave way for a few minutes.
Then, as they say, the summit is just halfway through the climb. There and then, we bid goodbye and broke camp, and descended to the treacherous precipices and ravines once again.
We managed to get back to the jump-off point after nine grueling hours.
Humbling Experience
All our efforts paid off, eventually removing any notions of doubt and negativity from the experience we had these past two days. Despite not getting initially what we wanted, we were beyond humbled as we bowed down before the mighty peak of Romblon.
Surely, there is another mountain tougher than the last, something so imposing, so difficult, and often punishing that it might take your life away with just one small mistake. But as crazy as it seems, this makes climbing mountains fulfilling ergo exciting.
A spiritual adventure at the least is where you get to know yourself, your limits, and how you learn not to give up despite all the odds that were served to you.
#NoToMiningInSibuyan
We stand in solidarity with the people of Sibuyan Island against the illegal mining activities of Altai Philippines Mining Corp., which, as per reports, is commencing mining exploration activities despite the alleged absence of the necessary barangay, municipal, and environmental permits.
“..it cannot be denied that the people of Sibuyan are brave and strong enough to take a stand to defend their island, its natural beauty, and all the other plants and animals that live in it. Without doubt, they sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears. Still, there is a long battle ahead as mining companies threaten to spoil this paradise, especially if they are involved in irresponsible mining.”
How to Get There
- Guiting-Guiting is located at the heart of Sibuyan Island in Romblon
- From Pasay Buendia, take any bus bound for Batangas Port (Travel Time: 2.5-3 hours) or Dalahican Port in Lucena (3-4 Hours)
- At Batangas or Dalahican Port, take any ferry bound for Ambulong Port in Sibuyan Island, Romblon
Check our full Mt. Guiting-Guiting climb here: Against All Odds | Mt. Guiting-Guiting (2,058+) Travel Guide 2023
Against All Odds | Mt. Guiting-Guiting (2,058+), Romblon
Updated March 29, 2023
