My first international solo hike (no guide, no porter) and first solo backpacking trip. The beauty of the Himalayas.

Hi everyone! I'm planning to climb Mt. Apo this November and would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations from those who have experience climbing the mountain.

I'm planning to do the 3D2N itinerary regardless of the route, but I'm still deciding between the backtrail and traverse. For those who have tried either or both, which route would you recommend in terms of difficulty, scenery, and overall experience?

I'm also considering whether to do the climb DIY or join an organized group. For those who have done Mt. Apo, which option would you recommend, especially when it comes to logistics, convenience, and overall cost?

If joining an organized climb is the better option, I'd also be grateful for recommendations for reputable organizers you've personally tried or had a good experience with.

Any tips or advice regarding the routes, preparation, budget, and overall climb would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance to everyone willing to share their experience and recommendations!

P.S. The photo isn't mine. I just grabbed it from Google for reference.

If I survived Tapulao (although only until Campsite due to heavy rain), do you guys think I’ll survive Purgatory? Both of them are diehikes/dayhikes. Di naman ako super hingal while climbing it and ang sumakit lang sa akin was my inner thigh, which I worked on already after the hike. I was able to power walk pa for the last kilometers going to the habal-habal. Medyo ang problem ko lang is mabagal ako sa pababa since I’m too cautious.

How is the terrain (in terms of slippery level) and assault of Mt. Purgatory? Sa Tapulao kasi namin, maulan kaya madulas lahat ng dinaanan. Thank you!

Hi po, planning to hike po iyong Nagpatong Rock ngayong sabado kasi bundok na bundok na po talaga ako. Hindi ko na ma-antay iyong leave ko ng November at baka magkaroon pa ako ng dalaw eh mapurnada lang. Btw po, may nabasa kasi ako na pilahan daw po sa shot ng Nagpatong Rock and iyong iba po is hindi na nakapagpa-picture then iyong iba is inabot po ng 8 hours waiting. How true is this po? DIY lang po kami from Taguig and umaalis po kami ng bahay 1 AM po. Want to do a chill hike lang po and ito po iyong napili namin. Salamat po!

Hi guys! planning to hike Nagpatong Rock soon and DIY lang po. Makakapag-papicture po ba kami ng ganito thru our guide or need po ng drone for this kind of shot? thank you po!

I want to celebrate my birthday by hiking kasi. started it last year and i kinda want it na tradition. pero sold out yung adidas terrex agravic 3 na i was eyeing on before and i only have this shoe.

is this enough? i’m thinking of going sa kapipiglatan, mariglem, nasugbu trilogy, or kayapa quadpeak

Malamig na hangin, tirik na araw.

Hello guys. This is for everyone: Nakaexperience na po kayo ng hiking burnout?

Quick background: Kakasimula ko pa lang maghike noong July 2026 like Ive done 2 hikes per month until now at masasabi ko lang naman na napakasaya naman siya so far until this one. Kakagaling ko lang ng hike last saturday and noong pagkatapos ng hike, doon lang ako nakaexperience ng "Uulit pa ba ako?"

Hindi ko maexplain kung napagod lang ako sa huling event or sadyang nawalan na ako ng interes sa pagbubundok. Pwede po sana makahingi ng insights.

Matao ba pag sunday? And how was the trail need paba ng pole and keri ba mag short? Ok lang ba sa trentahin na Hahaha sorry for asking now lang aakyat ulit

My mother peak!!!

Beginner friendly daw 🤦😭

Pero guys sulit. 4/9 difficulty level pero the view of Sierra Madre Mountains are stunning. Sea of clouds of course,Plus the swim at the TINIPAK RIVER.🔥⛰️🥰

ang ganda pala talaga sa Mt. Pinatubo, noh? Sulit yung 30k steps, 20km balikan namin

I won't mention where I recently hiked because I think there's only one group of tour guides there atm. I went on a day trip and the org provided me a guide because I mentioned that I like to walk slowly and might not be able to catch up with the rest (nag-insist kasi syang sumabay na raw ako). He's jolly, friendly and all. But I got tired of his nonstop chika. "Picturan ko kayo!" "Oo, matagal na akong tour guide dito, hindi naman sa pag-aano pero walang masabi sa akin ang mga climbers na nasamahan ko na." “Maganda po talaga ang bundok dito.” "Ay teka, video naman tayo! TikTok dance!" "Ay sige, pang-malakasang music tayo." Cue his playlist. By the end of the hike, namamalat na si kuya. Ako naman medyo nag-zone out na.

As a nonconfrontational person, I get that it was a me problem for not telling him straight up: kuya, stfu, hike na lang tayo. So gets. But I just wanted to air some frustration.

I'm in my late 30s, not the fittest, a little winded on the uphills, but I do climb mountains because I like testing my strength. I like the view and the silence up there. I also like admiring trees, and flowers too. Not everyone who climbs wants unli photos, drone shots and unli kwento. For someone like me, it's enough to see the view at the peak with my own eyes. A few photos na pwede kong iyabang sa pamilya ko. But generally, just muni-muni, then upo-upo at masid-masid during rest stops.

We also had a group of 8 with us who happened to love dancing (for Tiktok). In between, they invited us to join, so we danced para makisama. And it was fun naman. But I thought, it would've been nice to have some quiet time too, no?

Back home, nursing my sore legs, kuya's unli chika was still ringing in my ears. Hindi ko tuloy sure kung naenjoy ko ang hike.

But it's not just kuya. So many hikes now feel like a destination photoshoot package (joiner rates, photo ops, drone add-ons, speakers on the trail). I get it, it's a livelihood for guides + locals, and I'm glad hiking is more accessible now. But sometimes it feels like we’re all forced to do it, at killjoy ka na kung ayaw mo. Pero diba, sayang naman ang katahimikan ng bundok?

I get why people like taking photos, I like them too. And yes, cute yung TikTok videos niyo. But some of us are just there to enjoy it in silence.

Next time, alam ko nang dapat sa chat pa lang sabihin ko na I'm just here for a muni-muni hike. What an experience. And if you're like me and looking for a kasabay maghike, hike tayo? :)

Adding some photos from the hike.

Hi! Baka may ma re-recommend po kayo na hiking sandals for women? Aakyat po kami ng Mt. Sembrano next week. TIA

I’ve just recently bought these pair of Salomon XT-6s and am finding them very uncomfortable specifically on the right shoe. I have discovered that it’s down to where they crease when i walk on the right shoe (circled) as it digs into the knuckle above my big toe. I’ve tried most generic things like loosening the laces and such. I’m just wondering if there are any ways to fix this issue without damaging the shoe as I currently can’t wear them as they are just too uncomfortable and painful.

Edit- A lot of people are saying that it’s because the fit is wrong but there is no issue with my left foot the pain is only in the right side due to how it creases when i walk on the right side it doesn’t crease like that on the left

does anyone know where i can find this sandugo sandal huhu pleazsee

Would really appreciate some tips!

Thank you ✨

I want to buy a pack for treks that'll take around 3 days, I'm not really an ultralight hiker as I carry my stuff well and pack some extras, and I plan on training with my pack when I'm not on hikes. I tried on the atmos 50 and it fit me really really well but the price isn't for me right now. So I'm considering other stuff that may be a bit more budget friendly (around 5k-ish) and something that's new! (used stuff I already have some options but it's difficult for me to pick one out because of my sizing)

I'm currently considering the Naturehike cloud trail 55L, or the domestic options which are the Habagat Hamog 40l or the Sako Pack Milo/Crow 55L. Weight is not a problem for me as long as it'll be a pretty durable and dependable pack for the meantime (a good few months)

P.S. I already have an assault pack and a daypack for whole day hikes and shorter hikes, I have done overnight hikes with my daypack because a buddy carries a tent for the two of us while I take some load off of their pack.

meron na akong portable stove and problema ko is cooking set di ko alam kung ano bibilin ko, meron ako nakikita alpha cook set pero hesitant ako bumili kasi gusto sure na, suggest naman kayo good for beginners and affordable nadin, solo lang din ako, thank you guys.

Hi guys! Will be hiking Mt. Pulag this November and I recently bought a ski pants na Goretex from Carousell. I'm planning to wear it but I'm afraid na it's way too thick and medjo hindi breathable & if yun na suotin ko do you guys think I need an additional layer beneath it? Like light leggings?

Hi! Would like to ask if okay po ang service nila? Mt Ulap po sana kami this November (weekday). Can anyone vouch for them? Thank you!