Two months ago I did my most ambitious climb yet. I did the Mt. Purgatory traverse covering a total of five summits in one day. It was not an easy feat and it was my longest, most grueling climb to date. It was supposed to be a hexa-climb but because of the bad weather that day, we ended up not climbing the highest summit, which was a total bummer but it was still a huge achievement.

The climb starts at Bokod, Benguet on a gradual ascent going to Mt. Mangagew, which is the first summit of the series. The trail was on a scenic ridge with a great view of the Bokod area and its rich landscape littered with pine trees.

The trail continues on to a steeper path on a ridge, which then enters a mossy forest going to Mt. Pack. The trails were a bit slippery but there were make-shift handrails to make the climb a bit safer.

From Mt. Pack, we entered another mossy forest with gradual ascents and descents going to Mt. Purgatory. The peak is on a grassland. Because of the fog that day, there was really nothing to see. 

After a thirty minute lunch break, we continued our hike on a ridge path going to Mt. Bakian. By then, I was basically tired and in dire need of ice-cold drinks.

We then passed a small village and then continued to a steeper ridge going to Mt. Tangbaw. The original plan was to climb Mt. Komkompol before proceeding to Mt. Tangbaw but because it was raining, the guide advised us not to climb because the trail going to Mt. Komkompol is very steep and can get really slippery when it rains. So for safety purposes, we heeded her advise and just continued to Mt. Tangbaw instead, which was our last summit for the day.

For the descent, we went on a dirt path with a breathtaking view of a pine tree forest. The trail then continues to a slippery path. I couldn't count how many times I slipped.

We reached our exit point around 6pm, which meant our climb took roughly 11 hours. Thus being called the longest climb of my life.

Would I recommend this climb? Definitely! But not for beginners or for the faint-hearted. This climb is considered a major climb (my first major climb OMG) so one must have enough experience to be able to finish it. All in all, the ascents were not that steep and the trail was mostly gradual. What made it difficult was that it was such a looong climb so for one to be able to finish it, they should be used to walking for a very long time. 

So that was that. Here is to me conquering summits number 15 to 19 before I make my big move. Summit number 20 and my highest to date coming up soon on the blog. Keep posted for that.