This time, the trails were steeper, the ascents longer, and fittingly so: from the 700-meter Kabugan campsite we had to go up to around 1500 to perch ourselves at Paray-Paray, which is just 70-100 minutes away from the summit itself. Here, we passed through some really stunning forests with tall, majestic trees; and as we ascended the trees became more stunted - characteristic of the ultramafic mountains.
Before reaching Paray-Paray, a preview of what the assault to the peak looks like, with limestone trails and stunted rhododendrons, emerged in Pulanggok Peak, offering a view of the summit, with vertical streams of water emanating from the high reaches - reminiscent of Mt. Halcon as viewed from the Aplaya campsite.
Hiking matters #408: Day 1 - Brgy. Ransang to Cabugan campsite Hiking matters #409: Day 2 - Cabugan to Paray-Paray campsite Hiking matters #410: Day 3 - Mt. Mantalingajan summit assault Hiking matters #411: Day 4 - Traverse to Brooke's Point