Davao / North Cotabato
The highest mountain in the Philippines, a dormant stratovolcano with active sulfur fumaroles, waterfalls, and alpine lakes depending on route. Called "Apo Sandawa" (Grandfather Sandawa) by the Lumad peoples for whom it is sacred ancestral ground; first recorded ascent in 1880.
Best months: November–May (dry season), peak season March–May.
Permits: Strict "No Permit, No Climb" policy — DENR and LGU approval required in advance, no walk-ins. Guide and porter mandatory; a fit-to-climb medical certificate is required; daily cap is commonly cited around 50 hikers, though not confirmed against a single primary document.
Current closure: Closed every year June 1–August 31 for ecological rehabilitation (PAMB En Banc Resolution No. 08, s. 2021), with occasional extensions in past years for wildfire risk — always confirm current-year dates.
Not connected yet — planned to combine a live weather feed with the crowdsourced reports below, not replace them.
Difficulty 7/9 · 3 days, ~10–11 hrs hiking — the least difficult of Apo's routes
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