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…
Trip: 2023
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…
Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue
Behold the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, the world’s tallest equestrian metalwork, standing proudly at 130 feet! Situated on the banks of the Tuul River, it’s not only a tribute to the great Khan, but also marks the spot where he is said to have found a glittering golden whip. Facing his birthplace, the statue sits…
Philippines 2023
In early 2023, I received an intriguing message from Dave. He was proposing a trip to the Philippines. With the knowledge that the Philippines boasts twenty-nine ultra-prominent peaks, my enthusiasm to agree was immediate. The allure was heightened by the fact that a significant number of these towering mountains also stand as island highpoints. Add…
Doha
The flight from Manila to London passes through Doha. The stopover is too short to visit Qatar highpoint, but long enough to explore Doha in the evening. We leave the airport, find the metro, quickly learn how to buy tickets and are soon on a well-conditioned train heading into the city centre. We get off…
Philippines – quicksight
Like most countries in Asia, the Philippines is a lively, vibrant, and fascinating place. I won’t attempt to give a comprehensive overview but rather share some photos and memories that I brought back with me. Food lovers would need a considerable amount of time to explore the endless culinary possibilities. Nature lovers could spend a…
Manila
Welcome to the delightful chaos of Manila, where the urban landscape is an exciting tapestry of sights, sounds, and a thousand smells. The shopping malls here are so vast they could probably host their own Olympic Games, complete with different climate zones for each event. Road traffic is like the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti,…
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…