While some dream of amassing wealth (counting their stacks of cash), here I am, dreaming of conquering mountains, one peak at a time. Silly. . . Haha. . . I just found the beauty of the great outdoors irresistibly addicting. 😍
After months of dreaming, planning, and preparing, I am more than thrilled to share that my dream of conquering the majestic Mt. Kapayas has finally become a reality! The exhilaration, the challenges, and the breathtaking views all came together to create an unforgettable journey that left me feeling on top of the world.
So in this blog, join me as I conquered the Mt. Kapayas of Catmon, Cebu, and together let us be left in awe!
Let's go! Taraaa!
The Mt. Kapayas of Catmon, Cebu, Philippines
Nestled amid the verdant and bountiful rolling mountains of Catmon, the serene and striking beauty of Mt. Kapayas grace the landscape. It is considered the fifth tallest mountain of Cebu with an elevation of not more than 800 meters above sea level and the only one of the two remaining mountains that is protected and preserved (latest data) by the Local Government and the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) as per the Tourism Office of Catmon.
The name "Kapayas" translates to "Papaya" in English. It's quite amusing how the majestic mountain was named Mt. Kapayas without having the presence of even a single Papaya Tree on its Peak. But I learned during the orientation that "not so long ago a view of Papaya Plantation from above could be seen" giving the reason for the first few mountaineers who climbed and called the mountain, Mt. Kapayas, which also gained popularity as soon as they post it on social media.
The papayas are now gone because the monkeys have eaten them all. When we asked where are these monkeys now, Sir Kyno (of Catmon's Tourism Office) joked that the monkeys migrated, some were already in school and some were already working. Haha! That was a good joke for a kick-off!
The kickoff!
We kicked off our climbing adventure by heading to Catmon's Municipal Hall as early as 7:00 AM, where we completed our registration and received an informative orientation session courtesy of Catmon's Tourism Office.
We contacted the office a day before our climb, which allowed us to secure the necessary permits in advance. The Tourism Office was also very kind to arrange transportation for us going to the drop-off area, so we opted for a chartered habal-habal motorbike.
We brought food and snacks with us, our water bottles, hats, and an umbrella since it always rains in the afternoon for the past few weeks. The other thing I brought with me was my heart full of growing excitement by the time I set foot in the town of Catmon. Hoh!
The ride going to the jump-off area!
We departed from the Municipal Hall en route to Sitio Kampanya, where we made a right turn in front of Catmon Daan Market. Our journey began with a gentle ascent, and we were treated to the soothing presence of lush trees lining the streets. Coconut trees were the most prominent among the foliage. I was imagining the scent of a very sweet Tuba (Fresh coconut juice) early morning in this village.
Kuya driver said that it would take approximately an hour to reach our drop-off point, depending on our speed. I requested a moderate pace, as I wanted to savor the verdant scenery along the way. The road was initially paved with concrete, but as we approached our destination, I noticed that it gradually narrowed, leaving only two narrow cemented lanes, one on each side of the road.
Drop Off point and the Open Field Hike!
After an hour of navigating winding roads and taking in the picturesque countryside views of Catmon, we finally arrived at our designated drop-off point. This spot marked the end of the paved road. Our driver, who now served as our guide, announced that this was the start of our hike, an adventure that would take us across an open field.
My excitement bubbled as we set out on this new leg of our journey. Much of the road is uneven, wet, and slippery, with some areas covered in water-filled holes.
Thankfully, despite the time being past 9 o'clock, the weather was very kind to us, offering not scorching heat but rather a refreshing, cool breeze. Along the way, we passed by the homes of locals and observed various animals tended to right beside the road. Eventually, we encountered a wide expanse of greenery, which our guide informed us was the camping area.
In this open field walk, I could see the rolling mountains from afar in different hues. The view alone was breathtaking! Everything around us exuded serenity and an invigorating freshness.
Yeayyy! The start of the exciting climb!
I took a deep breath as I filled my lungs with all the energy I needed for this climb. I was wearing my smile the whole climb! Hehe.
My excitement surged as soon as my feet touched the base of the mountain at the start of our climb. The initial stretch of our ascent was relatively easy. Most of the open part of the hills unfolded before us, with less dense vegetation granting us ample hiking space.
As we ascended gradually, I couldn't help but notice the path's slippery nature. This type of brown soil had a natural slipperiness, especially when it rained. It was very slippery and I could see my toes curling through my shoes as if trying to hold the soil that I stepped into! Haha.
Continuing our hike, we gradually transitioned into a lusher, greener landscape with a colder breeze around. The path grew progressively wetter. We encountered a natural spring, water bubbling from the mountainside, wetting the path. I was torn between keeping my shoes dry so I stepped from one dry spot to another and or embracing the natural cold water on my feet, it was quite challenging.
I marveled at the untouched surroundings we traversed. We passed a guava tree from which we plucked some fruits for our snacks. As we continued our hike, I encountered a variety of plants and trees that were unique to this mountain, making the experience truly special. We also met some mountaineers on their way down.
Mossy forest and the rocky terrain!
As we continued our hike, my anticipation grew with each step as I looked forward to finally entering the Mossy Forest. During the orientation, Sir Kyno had mentioned that our trek would take us through this enchanting forest, which gave me butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't help but imagine immersing myself in a vast mossy forest, though I knew I might have been exaggerating things in my mind, thinking of the grandeur of forests like Mt. Pulag and the likes in my country.
However, deep down, I know this was one of my dreams, and even though the Mossy Forest in Mt. Kapayas might not be as dense due to its lower elevation, I had faith that in 10 or 20 years, it would grow and expand into something truly remarkable. I couldn't wait for that transformation!
As we trekked further, my enchantment grew. I was captivated and filled with wonder as I gazed at the moss-covered trees that surrounded us. It was an enchanting sight.
After being enchanted in the mossy forest, it was time to take larger strides as we prepared to trek the rocky terrains. We reached a marked point that read, "15 minutes more to the peak".
Our journey continued on the rocky terrain, and we proceeded with caution. I had to grip the rocks tightly as they were slippery due to the moss growth. Our guide remained vigilant, reminding us where to step and hold, especially during the 'Kiss the wall' section.
After 15 more minutes of trekking and navigating the massive rocks, we finally reached the peak! And I was,
S. P. E. E. C. H. L. E. S. S. ! ! !
Behold before my eyes the -
The wonderful Rock formation and the Breathtaking Peak of Mt. Kapayas!
After the challenging trek and climb, the moment had arrived. Right before my eyes, the breathtaking panoramic view and the magnificent rock formations of the Peak of Mt. Kapayas unfolded. 😭😍😭😍
Everywhere I looked, my eyes were met with pure admiration. All the sweat and effort I had exerted, particularly on my lower legs to maintain balance and avoid slipping on the slippery trail, had paid off.
It was breathtaking, fulfilling, and rewarding.😌
There, I stood, gazing in awe at the magnificent beauty before me. I felt as though I were on the cusp of heaven, with a paradise spread out below me — a lush, green paradise, a beautiful 360 view of the Province of Cebu!
After filling my eyes and soul with the breathtaking panoramic view, I laid my eyes with admiration at the marvelous Mt. Kapayas its peak itself. To me, its splendid rocks and peaks formed the mountain's regal crown. It was astounding how this colossal rock sits proudly atop the mountain. Its shape and size were like nature's own masterpiece, an artistry that adorned the great mountain!
I couldn't resist the urge to climb and hop from one rock to another; I simply couldn't get enough. As I stood on top of the peak I was humbled and in deep gratitude of God's wonderful creation. At one point, I even lay down on the peak, prompting our guide, Kuya, to humorously suggest that I could stay there while he came back and brought dinner for me. Haha!
I want to spend my whole day there sitting and admiring the Mt. Kapayas and its view but we need to go down as we see the heavy rain approaching.
Until next time, Mt. Kapayas!
Some Reminders and How to get there?
📍Mt. Kapayas' exact location is in Sitio Kampanya, Barangay Kabangkaya, Catmon, Cebu City. One can reach the place/drop-off area through Motorbikes or Off-road vehicles.
📍Contact the Catmon's Tourism Office before your planned Hike to secure your permits. Securing permits is only available on weekdays. Permit Fee: 250 pesos (4.41USD)
📍Guide Fee is 150 pesos/head (2.64USD) good for 5 people.
📍You can contact Sir Kyno Patrick Dumlao of Catmon's Tourism Office - Cellphone number 09199210030. He's very approachable and was very kind to answer all my queries.
📍Bring food, trail snacks, and bottled water. You can get a refill in the spring if you want.
📍LEAVE NO TRACE!
P.S. Kuya Guide is the best. He was spreading happiness the whole trail. I forgot to ask for his number to include here on my blog.
That's it for my fulfilling and dream come true climb to the Majestic Mt. Kapayas of Catmon! Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it! I had so much to share about the Mossy forest, the abundance of flora and fauna along the trail and so much more. So until then. See you on my next blog post! I wish you all safe and well always.
Don't forget to smile often!😍🤗😊