mt.aLto peak

ALTO PEAKOrmoc City, LeyteMajor jump-off: Lake Danao National Park, OrmocLLA: 11.1061 N, 124.7097 E, 1332 MASL (unverified)Days required / Hours to summit: 3-4 days / 11-14 hours*Specs: Exploration, Major Climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail class 3 with unestablished trails

BACKGROUND

outdoorsman Adonis Lloren shares another of his adventures - this time at Alto Peak in Ormoc, Leyte. The highest in Eastern Visayas (Region VIII), Alto Peak stands majestically on a beautiful realm, the Lake Danao National Park, home to a rich variety of fauna and flora. The domain is also home to farming communities whose vegetable plantations - and cool clime - are somewhat reminscent of the Cordilleras.

SPECIAL CONCERNS

Being exploratory in nature, 'Day 2' of the itinerary is suggested only with the company of an experienced hiker or a guide. Since there is no trail, brace yourself for thick vegetation. Otherwise, one can skip the Alto Peak summit assualt, converting the itinerary into a 2-day major climb from Ormoc City. The two lakes, Danao and Hanagdan, are rewarding enough. Just the same, prepare 3-4 days in case you are lured by Alto Peak!

TRIVIA

The area around Ormoc City is really mountainous and could serve as one of the next frontiers of Philippine mountaineering. Alto Peak is so named because 'Alto' in Spanish for 'High', in the same way that the Americans christened Mt. Tapulao as 'High Peak'.