Our third trip ultra-peak stands before us, but it’s still too distant for a day hike. We strive to find a route to the steeper slope. Satellite images show a few car tracks, but they aren’t clear and often disappear. In the evening, we drive until the 4G internet from the nearest village weakens, then…
Tag: hike
Myangan Yamaat
Yesterday, we attempted to reach the Myangan Yamaat peak from the east but failed, as detailed in the previous account. There is no such thing as bad that does not lead to good. Upon retracing our steps, we discovered something promising: on one of the maps, we spotted a camp 3.5 km west of the…
Myangan Yamaat – Attempt
A few hours before sunset, we arrive at one of the valleys on the east side, which, according to the map, starts and will lead us to the summit. So, we believe that if we follow this valley or river and later climb some slopes or ridges, we will reach the summit. However, some questions…
Ich-Tevsh-Ula
The drive is long but never dull, especially when you’re playing ‘Name That Peak!’ along the way. Ich-Tevsh-Ula? Sounds like a spell, but it’s one of the peaks. Despite its tongue-twisting name, it’s at least a P200. But who’s counting? Oh, we were. After the climb, we proudly stamped it as P202. Likely, with a…
Peak 1158, Bulgan
After reaching Peak 1156, Rob heads northwest towards Peak 1158, while I return to the car. I drive a few kilometers before we meet again at the col. The new peak seems easier and less steep than the previous one. We drive a bit further, park the car, and then decide to split up again:…
Peak 1156, Bulgan
Yesterday, we tried to cross the Gobi Desert. However, a sandstorm surprised us, obscuring our view of the road ahead. We stopped and asked road construction workers for directions, seeking guidance. Their multiple route suggestions only added to our confusion. Consequently, we decided to drive back 150 km to Dalanzadgad. Today, we’re traveling from Dalanzadgad…
Dund Sayhni Nuru
The road from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad is paved and generally in decent condition. Approximately a hundred kilometers of the route have some potholes, but overall, the travel speed remains relatively high. We procure food supplies near the airport early in the morning and drive a couple of hundred kilometers to Mandalgobi, where we find one…
Tsetseegün Uul
Rob misses his flight due to the new modern scale and check-in system at Heathrow Airport. They’re doing a little extra math, adding phantom kilograms to his luggage. Ultimately, Rob is correct and British Airways is at fault. But do companies like these truly care? Evidently not. What a shame. On the positive side, I…
Mount Madjaas
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…