Mt. Guiting-guiding in Sibuyan, Romblon, is famous for mountaineering because of its majestic beauty and is listed as one of the most challenging mountains to climb in the Philippines. Garnered a nine over nine rating regarding difficulty, this mountain hides an unspoiled beauty and vast diversity of flora and fauna on the summit. Plus, trekking on forested mountain slopes can provide a great hiking experience. Also, G2, another name given to the mountain, is just one of the must-visit spots in Romblon. Aside from the marble products, the province also has many gorgeous and breathtaking beaches and dive sites awaiting discovery.
Specifications:
- Address: Sibuyan Island, Romblon
- Jump Off: Brgy. Tampayan, Madgiwang, Sibuyan
- LLA: 12°24’50″N, 122°34’4″E
- Height/Elevation: 2058 MASL
- Hike Difficulty: 9/9, Major climb, Trail class 5
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| Photo: Bulod's Spring, Mt. Guiting-Guiting. |
The Trails of Mt. Guiting-Guiting:
- Before hiking Mount Guiting-Guiting, permits from the DENR are needed. During the climb proper, before ascent, hikers will undergo a briefing about the dos and DONTs on the trails.
- From the DENR, we crossed a river, then the start of the uphill trail.
- It was a trek through a jungle trail because the terrain is covered with greens, and there is no area for viewing. Since trekking is in the middle of the forest, the ambiance is calm, and the air is fresh.
- It was a continuous ascent until Bulod's Spring (the last water source). Then, followed by a 30 to 45-minute assault trail passing by the Bonsai Area to Mayos Peak (Camp 1).
- From Mayos Peak to Durungawan is a 10-15 minutes’ walk. Durungawan is the perfect spot to see the beautiful shape of the Knife Edge and the summit.
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| Mayo's Peak or the Camp 1. |
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| Stunning photo of Knife Edge, Mt. Guiting-Guiting. |
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| Photo of Kiss the Wall, Mt. Guiting-Guiting. |
The Knife Edge:
- Special Feature: Crossing the Knife Edge was a bit hard because the trails are on the boulders.
- Aside from that, Kiss the Wall is also one of the famous features of Mt. Guiting-guiting. It is a side wall of a huge boulder, for about a meter, that needs to be crossed.
- It is the most accessible but a challenging passage to the summit because it is cliff hanging, hiker will kiss the wall of the boulder while crossing this side.
The Summit of Mt. Guiting-Guiting:
- The trail to the summit. On top, there's a 360-degree view of the Sibuyan and the nearby islands, though there is sometimes zero visibility.
- It's the perfect spot to see the amazing shape of Guiting-guiting.
- There's an emergency camp surrounded by the bonsai/draft trees. The wind is strong, fresh, and cold.
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| The Crash Site of G2. |
Another feature of G2 is the "Crash site" (photo above). According to our guide, a plane crashed on the site. According to reports, the pilot might not noticed the mountain because it was covered with thick fog. The search and rescue operation focused on Mt. Halcon, another giant on Mindoro island. The site was discovered by the locals.
Reminders Before Hiking:
- Hikers need to be physically and mentally ready.
- Consider the weather and the season before ascent.
- Floods during the wet season and limited water sources during summer.
- Wear your most comfortable hiking outfit.
- Secure your permits and coordinate with your guide and porter.
How to Get to Mt. Guiting-Guiting:
- On EDSA, I rode in a bus bound for Batangas Port.
- At the port, I rode on Montenegro Lines ship to Romblon, Romblon Port.
- And another RoRo ride to Ambulong Port, Sibuyan island.
- Chartered a tricycle to our guide's house.
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