Mt. Sicapoo – Probably one of the most treacherous hiking spot in the Philippines! Standing tall at the province of Ilocos Norte, it presents you a different angle of the Ilocos Region. Armed with an infinity of river crossings, a lifetime of steep ascents and descents, a daring  ragged terrain, a dozen miles of narrow knife-edges,  a load of cliff-kissing ridges , and technically scaling 9 mountains (Mt. Timarid and Mt. Simagaysay are one of the few) – no questions asked being an Ultra 9/9 in difficulty! The name of Sicapoo itself fondly derives from “Suko Na Po” or “I give Up” will tell  you that this is not a trail you could get out easily.

Despite the difficulty, did you ever wonder why so many (yet so few) have tried to ascend this mountain? It’s simply a godly enchantment. Mt. Sicapoo reminds us that the Philippines has so much more to offer as long as you care for it. It welcomes you not only with this beauty, but with a wilderness that is so alive and vast. It reminds you that there is more to life, there is more to what you normally do, and there’s so much more things out there created just for you!

One can not argue of the surreal view, the natural beauty, and the cursing difficulty – but that’s already a given. What Mt. Sicapoo actually tells you is that there is so much more out there to enjoy, whatever struggle, whatever weather, and whatever reason, you still have time to rediscover.

HOW TO GET THERE

Public Transport

1. From Manila, take any bus going to Laoag Ilocos Norte. We took the Farinas bus transit near UST Manila.
2. Once you arive at Laoag, take a jeepney to Solsona proper. If you did not join any events, you could just register at the Solsona Police station. Here you would finalize guides and fees for the hike as well.
3. Hire a jeepney or tricycle going to the jump off area near Karinkin River Resort. Click here to see road to jump-off area.
4. Repack and be ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

ITINERARY

Special thanks to Sir Greg from Market Market Basekamp. If you opt to go on a group, then i definitely suggest you go with him. No huss, no fuss. Simply hike and enjoy life!

Day 0
1800 – Fariñas Bus (located beside UST)
1900 – ETD, Manila take Farinas bus going to Laoag

Day 1
0500 – ETA Solsona Proper
0600 – Register Police Station – Heavy Breakfast along the way
0730 – ETA Jump-off
0800 – Start Trekking
0900 – ETA Gasgas River – River Trekking/Crossing
1100 – ETA Markang Bato / Early Lunch
1200 – Resume Trek
1300 – ETA Mt. Balbalitok (1010 MASL)
1700 – ETA Saulay Junction / Pitch Tent
1830 – Prepare Dinner
1930 – Dinner / Socials
2030 – Lights out

Day 2
0400 – Wake-up Call / Prepare breakfast Packed lunch
0530 – Start Trek
0630 – ETA Mt. Bubuos (1410 MASL)
0730 – ETA Mt. Balbalite (1585 MASL)
0830 – ETA Mt. Papako (1620 MASL)
0930 – ETA Mt. Matalidong (2100 MASL)
1100 – ETA Mt. Sicapoo Summit / Early lunch
1200 – Start Descend
1700 – ETA Saulay Junction (Campsite)
1730 – Prepare Dinner
1830 – Dinner/Socials
2000 – Lights out

Day 3
0330 – Wake-up Call / Prepare Breakfast Packed Lunch
0500 – Start Trek
0700 – ETA Mt. Timarid Summit (1527 MASL)
0730 – Resume trek
0900 – ETA Mt. Simagaysay Summit (1341 MASL)
0930 – Resume Trek
1030 – Early Lunch (last shaded area)
1100 – Resume Trek
1230 – ETA One degree Plateau
1300 – ETA Guide House / Wash-up
1500 – Post Climb Meeting
1600 – ETD Laoag Bus Terminal Station
1730 – ETD Manila

Day 4
0400 – ETA Manila

THE HIKE

Be prepared to be soaking wet for the first hours of the trail. There would be an infinity of river crossings – and if you go here during the rainy season, then you’ll have stronger currents and doses of rain on your way to top it off. Nevertheless, be prepared for a very long and drenching hike, followed by subsequent ascents over narrow ridges! This will be one most thrilling hike you’ll ever experience if you ask me.

***Note that below pictures aren’t necessarily sequential 🙂 Well no fun if you already know it all right?

How bout we start by presenting the ever elusive Sicapoo Penguin + the group!

Rarely does it present itself in such a good weather!

And here is Gasgas River – clear as the sky, you definitely want to plunge in!

A little bouldering here and there…

And a little bit of nostalgia with the view around you.

A landscape you never thought exists outside fairy tales!

The sunset-lit gradient sky from the first junction camp.

Silhouettes in color!

Still a long way to go…

Nothing beats the view of nature!

A view of the mossy forests from the summit of Mt. Sicapoo.

Special thanks to Sir Greg Galicia for guiding us along the way! 🙂

When you feel weak, just look around and feel the cool breeze replenish your strength!

Everyone’s still all smiles at this point. Haha!

It’s a long walk under the scorching heat!

The slippery trail makes crossing these little creeks much more dangerous than they actually seem.

You’ll be walking countless hours without even rising to an elevation…haha! This is just the warm up!

And this is where you literally feel the rush and gush of Gasgas river…not just once, but many many times over!

Now the hiking starts with a series of steep ridges overlooking the Gasgas river!

On the way to the giant Penguin of Sicapoo! Skipping a lot of pictures as I could hardly take one myself. Lol!

Afternoon trails are a beauty – pretty foggy and chilling as well.

My neck hurts a lot always looking up the trail. Haha!

And if you’re really exhausted, simply pause, take a deep breath, and smile – nothing better than nature giving you strength.

Can’t really describe the feeling. It’s more than a view – it’s life.

And did you notice we’re still going up?

Since trails are hardly seen here, it’s good to have a little dose of safety – and more doses of crazy! 🙂

Now how about a little rest and eat those yummy snaaaa….(crap no snacks)!

And here we go again, and again, and again…..we’ll be back here again…