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Mountain Province Mountains Philippines Travel Video

Maligcong | Mt Fato: Embracing the Wind on Rocky Grounds

A mountain is never the same. The looming form may remain but the trails, the ecosystem and the peak weather changes constantly. Call it moody but the micro-climate dictates whether the view from the top is cloudy or not. Such is the case when we climbed Mt Fato in Maligcong for the second time. The neighboring Mt Kupapey (Mt Kofafey) with its outstanding view of Maligcong Rice Terraces and nature trail may have grown popular to the visitors of the region but Mt Fato offers a different side of the terraces as well as the mountain peaks of Kalinga and Sagada. My first visit with Backpack Photography gave us a clear view, my return howevers was welcomed with a cold embrace from the clouds

View of Maligcong terraces
View of Maligcong terraces

Return to Mt Fato

Early this year, on the first morning of 2016 to be exact. I decided to spend my first sunrise at the summit of Mt Fato. The walk was longer this time as we had no vehicle to take us part of the way. The weather was colder and it was cloudy. As we approach the summit, I knew the heavens would be reserved this time. There was no outburst of colors. Instead, the clouds rolled by carrying its shivering clime. Even Nelay, Terrence’s dog who climbed with us sought shelter behind the rocks as she was shaking from the cold. As if teasing, at times the clouds would clear up to show the rice terraces below but all through out, it was a blanket of gray. The dreary summit didn’t get to me that much. I’ve come to accept mountains as they are. They are moody creations like people. Sometimes we just have to take what nature gives us. There is beauty in the mist and gray. You just have to look closer to find it.

A cloudy summit
A cloudy summit
Pine forest trail
Pine forest trail
Lots of ferns here
Lots of ferns here
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