Mt. Hamiguitan in San Isidro, Davao Oriental is a pygmy or bonsai forest.  On its peak are century-old trees that are less than 2-3 feet tall.  Its gnarled trunks and branches are testimonies of the trees’ battle with the elements.



This writer climbed Mt. Hamiguitan in 2006 and only reached the base camp yet the journey was literally on hands and feet over almost ninety degree-climb. Being a non climber or mountaineer, it was a wet and muddy trek.  Climbing on rocks and boulders while traversing the same river many times (I have lost count!), holding on to roots to vertically lift myself, slipping and landing on my butt five times, taking pictures of pitcher plants as small as my thumb, sleeping in a borrowed tent that was meant for hotter climes and ending up shivering from the cold and meeting a king cobra on our way home at dusk with just a pen flash light and luminous mushrooms to light our way made the journey bitter sweet. 



It was a first mountain climb that was unbeatable and unforgettable for it was certainly in the next years, my one and only climb on a legitimate mountain. Hahahaha!



This year, the San Isidro Local Government Unit and the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental may have good news of Mt. Hamiguitan’s bid for it to be declared into a UNESCO World Heritage Site.



I certainly hope it would be declared as such for the beauty of century old natural bonsai trees are clearly etched on my mind. 



I had photos of my climb taken through my cellphone camera but they have been lost in transition.  So I am sharing blogger Journeying Sarah’s experience of the climb and her photos.



JOURNEYING SARAH’S blog:



http://www.journeyingsarah.blogspot.com/2011/06/mt-hamiguitan.html



 Located in San Isidro, Davao Oriental Mt. Hamiguitan with an elevation of 1,620 masl and total land area of 6,834 hectares is one of a kind for it is known for its “bonsai forest” with trees more than 100 years old. In 2009 it was declared as a National Park by the UNESCO.



It was a few years ago when  our group  "TEAM  WANDERLUST " climbed Mt. Hamiguitan. We left Davao City at 1:00am and arrived in San Isidro, Davao Oriental at 4:00am.  There was no one at the terminal when we arrived in San Isidro so we called the  contact person  in tourism office of San Isidro to fetch us. There was another organized climb scheduled for that day so we negotiated with them for us to ride on the truck which will take us to the jump off point.  On the first day we  crossed rivers  and hiked for the whole day.  We only stopped for lunch and rest when our feets are tired.  We stayed in Camp 1 during the night, pitched our tents and rest for the night.



On the second day our trek continues as we passed by Lantawan 1 and Lantawan 2. It was an open area where you will see beautiful sceneries. It was noon when we arrived in Camp 2. We again pitch our tents and prepare our meals. After lunch, some of  my friends went to tinagong dagat and twin falls. I chose to stay at the campsite. We roam around the bonsai forest since it was a few steps away from Camp 2. During the night, there was a lot of fireflies in the area. It was so amazing. The weather is not so cold at camp 2. it was time to sleep again for the night.



On the third day  we prepared our breakfast,  packed  our things and cleaned the area.. We were heading for the summit of Mt. Hamiguitan. It was a three hours trek in the forest to arrived  at the summit.  After resting and picture taking our group started to descend. It was a long way going down from the summit. At 4:00pm we were back to the jump of f point. Eventhough we were tired but we were very satisfied with our climb. 



 



Getting There:



For group climbers you can hire a van bound for San Isidro, Davao Oriental. From there register at the tourism office. Then hire a motorcycle or jeepney  that will take you to the jump off point. Porters and guides can be arranged upon arrival at the jump off point.



HOW TO GET THERE:



San Isidro, Davao Oriental is 3 and a half hour’s road trip from Davao City.



Take a bus or van from Davao City to Manikling via the Davao-Mati road and take a five-minute motorcycle or jeepney ride to the Poblacion or town proper better known as Batobato and inquire with the Local Government Unit for the Hamiguitan climb.



WHERE TO STAY:



Make arrangements with the Local Government Unit of San Isidro for homestay bed and breakfast program.



WHAT TO BRING:



·         Climbing shoes are a must.



·         First aid for various wounds and scrapes.



·         Insect repellant.



·         Tent, sleeping gear, clothes, food and water.



·         Snap away with your camera.



A friendly reminder: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time J



NOTE: Text in italics is Journeying Sarah’s blog.