MT. KALATUNGAN/TRAVERSE VIA MAKAUPAO PEAK
Talakag and Pangantucan, Bukidnon
Entry point: Brgy. Miarayon, Talakag
Exit point: Brgy. Mendis, Pangantucan
LLA: 7°57’18″N 124°48’09″E 2880 MASL (#5)
Days required / Hours to summit: 3-4 days / 15 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 8/9, Trail class 3-4
Features: Tribal domain, mossy forest, Top 10
BACKGROUND
Complementing the grand Kitanglad Range to the southwest is the Kalatungan Mountain Range, which, although smaller, has its own high peaks and perhaps even more challenging climbs. Everest climber Carina Dayondon has described Mt. Kalatungan, the chief mountain, as a “difficult climb”. Coupled with the logistic difficulty of climbing Kalatungan, it has grown a reputation as being one of the most difficult climbs in the country. Finally, to complete its credentials, it is now regarded as the 5th highest mountain in the Philippines at 2880 MASL (formerly, we considered it the 6th highest mountain in the Philippines based on a reading of 2824 masl).