Tag: climb

Myangan Yamaat

Altai
2023-06-12
hike
3620m
P1745m
i106.84km

Yesterday’s failed attempt to summit Myangan Yamaat peak turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Retracing our steps, we stumbled upon a beacon of hope: a camp spotted on a map, merely 3.5 km west of our target, complete with a clear trail of car tracks visible from the heavens. Though we didn’t pop…

Myangan Yamaat – Attempt

Altai
2023-06-11
failed
3620m
P1745m
i106.84km

Just hours before sunset, we arrive at a valley on the east side, which, according to our map, should lead us directly to the summit. So, we believe following this valley or river, then tackling some slopes or ridges, should get us there. Yet, doubts linger, though hope stubbornly remains. We drive until the car…

Ich-Tevsh-Ula

Gobi Desert Ranges
2023-06-10
hike
1757m
P202m

The journey to the peak is an adventure in itself, spiced up with a game of ‘Name That Peak!’ along the way. Ich-Tevsh-Ula? Sounds more like a magic incantation than a mountain, yet here it is, towering with its P200 status. Yes, we were the ones keeping score, and post-climb, we triumphantly declared it P202….

Peak 1158, Bulgan

Gobi Desert Ranges
2023-06-10
hike
1158m
P60m

After summiting Peak 1156, Rob ventures northwest to Peak 1158, and I head back to the car, driving a few kilometers before we reconvene at the col. This new peak appears more approachable and gentler than its counterpart. Parking a short distance away, we split up once more: Rob explores the left slopes while I…

Peak 1156, Bulgan

Gobi Desert Ranges
2023-06-10
hike
1156m
P51m

Yesterday’s attempt to cross the Gobi Desert took an unexpected turn with a sandstorm blurring our path forward. We halted, seeking direction from road construction workers, whose varied advice only tangled our plans further. Thus, we retraced our steps 150 km back to Dalanzadgad. Today, en route from Dalanzadgad to Bogd, we’re making quick stops…

Dund Sayhni Nuru

Gobi Desert Ranges
2023-06-09
hike
2830m
P1531m
i224.96km

Embarking from Ulaanbaatar towards Dalanzadgad, we encounter a mostly smooth road, marred only by occasional potholes across a hundred kilometers, which still permits rapid travel. Gathering supplies near the airport at dawn, we journey several hundred kilometers to Mandalgobi. Here, we enjoy a pleasant lunch in a quaint restaurant, unexpectedly operated by the owner’s timid…

Tsetseegün Uul

Gobi Desert Ranges
2023-06-07
hike
2268m
P648m

Rob misses his flight, thanks to Heathrow Airport’s “cutting-edge” scale and check-in system that seems to fancy adding imaginary weight to luggage. In the end, Rob’s right, and British Airways? Well, they messed up. But expecting a giant corporation to actually care is like hoping for a heatwave in the Arctic—wishful thinking at its finest….

Mount Madjaas

Central Philippines
2023-04-29
hike
2117m
P2117m
i149.93km

Mount Madjaas is the highest point on the island, with a prominence of over two thousand meters, and is quite isolated. These factors make this Ultra peak very visible on our radar. An added bonus is that no peak baggers have reported reaching the summit. Initially, we are unsure whether we can reach Panay Island…

Mount Pulag

Luzon
2023-04-26
hike
2922m
P2922m
i666.67km

The highest point on the island of Luzon is Mount Pulag – 2922 meters, just 20 meters from the World Top 100 Prominence list. We find this hike very beautiful and interesting, especially because of the dwarf bamboo grasslands. The registration process is mostly boring but probably necessary due to the number of people trying…

Mount Tapulao

Luzon
2023-04-25
hike
2044m
P2022m
i105.54km

It is very surprising to see such a beautiful pine forest on this peak, as opposed to the usual jungle in the region. We all agree that this walk reminds us of the Alps in Europe, although there are some differences, such as the leeches we find along the way. Fortunately, I do not get…

Mount Labo

Luzon
2023-04-22
hike
1544m
P1524m
i73.55km

Mount Labo – an interesting and remote Ultra mountain – had no peakbagger reports and little information. So we got up early in Daet, met our trike driver, and drove almost an hour to the trailhead near the village of San Isidro. After formal registration, we were introduced to the local guide and soon began…

Mount Isarog

Luzon
2023-04-20
hike
2000m
P1951m
i55.92km

The most feasible route we identify from Davao to Naga involves flying through Cebu. While this option requires changing airlines and rechecking our luggage, the overall experience is reasonable. Thankfully, we don’t encounter significant delays and arrive on schedule. Upon our arrival at Naga airport, we are welcomed by sunny weather and high temperatures. Interestingly,…

Crocodile Hill

Mindanao
2023-04-18
hike
179m
P164m

After successfully completing our morning ascent of Mount Matutum, we made our way back to Davao. En route, we consulted the map and identified a small hill with a road leading to its summit. Two aspects piqued our curiosity about this hill: firstly, it held a prominence of 100 meters, and secondly, it bore the…

Mount Matutum

Mindanao
2023-04-18
hike
2286m
P1950m
i68.69km

The second ultra peak on our grand itinerary was Mount Matutum. Despite the park being closed and obtaining permission being a challenge, the trail was somewhat overgrown and obstructed, though still navigable. I began my GPS track at 2:57 am, indicating an early start to the day. Initially, we traversed farmland before descending slightly. Numerous…

Puting Bato

Mindanao
2023-04-17
hike
540m
P540m
i50.57km

Mount Matutum is within close reach, and with the day stretching out ahead of us, we feel unhurried. Upon scrutinizing the map, our eyes quickly land on Samal Island, its pinnacle, and the delineated trail leading up. Albert’s affirmation about the ease of accessing the island and its zenith further bolsters our enthusiasm. Consequently, we…

Mount Apo

Mindanao
2023-04-16
hike
2954m
P2954m
i904.86km

The highpoint of the Philippines is Mount Apo, located on Mindanao island. Naturally, it also claims the title of the island’s highest point. Globally, it ranks as the 99th most prominent mountain, boasting an altitude of 2,954 metres. There are several compelling reasons to ascend it. Apart from being an active stratovolcano, many local tribes…

Bukit Timah

Malay Peninsula
2023-04-14
hike
176m
P176m
i32.90km

The journey from London to Davao in the Philippines is quite lengthy, but naturally, we wanted to add a dash of fun to it! I had scaled the highest point in Singapore about a decade ago, but for Rob, this would mark a new country highpoint. Thus, we scheduled a 7-hour layover in Singapore, giving…

Leicester Peak

Guinea Highlands
2023-04-01
hike
590m
P315m
i0.00km

After breakfast in a small street restaurant next to the hotel, we drive almost to the top of Leicester Peak. There is a checkpoint, but as far as I can see, all tourists are allowed to drive to the viewpoint on the western slopes of the peak. There is a fairly large car park and…

Picket Hill North Summit

Guinea Highlands
2023-03-31
hike
888m
P93m

We are sailing from the Banana Islands to the mainland and are very close to one of Sierra Leone’s three P600 peaks – Picket Hill. We are aware that the highest point may be a mile in south of where the trail ends. However, we hope to find a path between the two peaks. Hope…

Ricketts Island Highpoint

Guinea Highlands
2023-03-30
hike
246m
P246m

After climbing to Dublin Island Highpoint, we cross a stone causeway that connects two islands. We then walk just over a kilometre on a flat, wide path to the nearest point to the summit. From there we head straight for Ricketts Island Highpoint, the highest of the three Banana Islands. At the top we found…