Calaptan Peak

Dennis Ella (me), Pedro Palabrica and Roger Sildres positioned in the southwest base in Canlusong on September 19, 1998. Equipped with some tips from Cuello, the village head, our party commenced the ascent, initially in the open slopes, early the next day.

The absence of a map and visual obstructions posed by the forest and the rugged slopes combine to offer us serious navigational problems. When we gained the spine of the West Ridge of the NW summit at dusk, it became clear that we were on the right track.

As nightfall nears, we opted to bivouac on the narrow scrubby ridge. Early in the morning of the third day, we finally hit the summit. Although down to the last of our water supply, we dared for a descent to the northwest in Barrio Gawahon.