Climbing Mount Nangtud in Barbaza, Antique, Philippines

Mount Nangtud is one of the highest peaks in the Visayan region, next only to Mount Kanlaon of Negros and Mount Madjaas of Culasi, Antique.

The best time to climb is during the summer months when the river bed of the Dalanas River can be trekked.

The river trekking phase is fairly easy. The trail is a cycle of boulder hoppings and river bank crossings. 

There are a lot of river bank crossings so bringing a pair of sandals is highly recommended.

The scenic route, showcasing the grandeur of the great Panay mountain range, takes you to the foot of Mount Nangtud with a gradual increase in altitude. 

Most of the river banks are shallow making them easy to cross. There are some that are more perilous that require teamwork to be safely crossed.

The trek can get really hot so wearing sun protection is a must.

Or bring an umbrella!




Six hours of river trekking later, we have finally arrived at the foot of the mountain. The end of the river trek marks the beginning of the long and relentless assault to the top.

In the summer, it is highly advised that each member of the team carry at least two liters of water from hereon as there are no other water sources along the trail up to the very far campsite.

The knife edge phase is the most challenging part of the climb. A key element to factor in is the lack of shade trees. It can get extremely hot when the sun is at its peak. A strict abidance to the timeline is crucial.  It is essential to bring protective gears and sunblock.

Knife edge, as the name implies, is a land formation shaped like a knife. The eighty degree steep sides of the mountain are made mostly of scree making it hard to find a good stable foothold.

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The occasional grass-fires do not help either as they burn down the already minimal bushes which can be held for support. No wonder the difficulty of this trail was rated eight out of nine.

Narrow trails and steep cliffs make up most of the knife edge trail.

But once you've reached the knife's edge, nature will reward you with a breathtaking view.

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And a gorgeous sunset.

Remember how timing is important when climbing this mountain? We weren't supposed to see the sunset if we planned our hike well. The team was six hours late from reaching the nearest water source, that is the camp site. We ran out of drinking water very early on because we did not bring sufficient amount from the river. Going back was not an option as the darkness turned the trail more perilous. We relied on our guts and we suffered the consequences. Dehydration and over exhaustion were the major concerns as we continued to slowly crawl our way under the moonlight.

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The team reached the campsite at around one o' clock in the morning, our first taste of water after a grueling six hours of night trekking. We set up camp, ate dinner, and slept.