7-KM. STRAIRWAY TO MT. APO PEAK? AN ESCALATOR IS A BETTER OPTION

(photo credit: Mt. Apo peak with Lake Jordan in the foreground in this picture downloaded from enthusiastictrekker.com)

Nature lovers, trekkers and mountain climbers have a stock answer whenever they are asked why they climb mountains: “Because it is there to be climbed!”

The joy of climbing mountains actually comes from the hardships, the cramps and the pains that one suffers in going up.

Climbing mountains and the challenge that comes along with it exemplifies man’s struggle to reach the top of the heap and rejoice over his success.

When I first climbed Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak, in 1999, I and then Colonel (now General) Alex Paul Monteagudo suffered cramps and literally crawled up for almost one day and reached Lake Venado at the base of the peak when it was already dark.

But the pain of the cramps and hardship in climbing all disappeared when I reached the peak.

I came back to climb Mt. Apo 11 more times after that.

Now, some bright minds in the City Government of Kidapawan have come up with a “brilliant idea” to make the climb to Mt. Apo easier – a 7 kilometer stairway up to the peak.

Here are excerpts from a story on that strange project:

“KIDAPAWAN CITY – The Kidapawan City government is set to build a 16,620-step trail step – to be called “Hagdan ni Apo” – ascending to the peak of majestic Mt. Apo, to facilitate tourism while also discouraging the establishment of new, unsanctioned trails.

“Apo’s summit, the country’s highest at 9,692 feet, overlooks the city 20 kilometers to the west.

“The project, which was presented to the Kidapawan City Tourism Council and media last week by the city government’s Investment and Tourism Promotions Office, would cost at least P2.5 million.

“Tourism Officer Joey Recemilla said the trail steps would cover at least seven kilometers, starting from Barangay Ilomavis in Kidapawan City where the Mindanao Geothermal Production Field of the Energy Development Corporation is located.

“As a safety feature, protective ropes will be included along the steps, said Recemilla.

“This time, we will make the tour to the peak a lot easier for tourists by constructing a permanent stairway,” Recemilla said.

“Also, by building structures along the pathway leading to the peak, it would discourage tourists and local to create a new trail and other mode of activities that will further destroy the natural park. At least 64,053 hectares of the mountain is considered part of the Mount Apo Natural Park,” explained Recemilla.

“The project, said Recemilla, will strengthen the conservation and preservation of the mountain and at the same time, “bring economic gain in the local tourism industry” through jobs creation, livelihood projects, and increase in local taxes.

“It will also position Kidapawan City as a major tourism hub in North Cotabato and in the entire Central Mindanao,” said Recemilla.

“With initial funding of P1 million from the city LGU, Recemilla said work on the steps will begin “anytime soon.”

Recimilla used to work with me when I was Governor and he was one of those who introduced me to mountain climbing which led us to organize the mountaineering group “Guardians of Lake Venado.”

I cannot believe that he would be behind this foolish project which they project would earn a lot of money for the city government.

But what about Mt. Apo’s carrying capacity?

In the years that I was Governor, the provincial government was deeply involved in the clean up operations to bring down tons of garbage at the end of every climbing season.

Until today, garbage left behind by irresponsible climbers is still a very big problem.

Mt. Apo could not take more climbers than its trails would allow.

The concrete stairway to the peak of Mt. Apo will not only destroy the natural beauty of this enchanted mountain, it will also slay the spirit of mountain climbing.

But if the proponents really will insist on making climbing easier, I have a better suggestion: why not install an escalator instead to facilitate going up the peak and a zipline to make an easy descent?

That way, mountain climbing will just be a breeze and descending from the peak will just be a whisssh!

Crazy idea? Oh, it’s not really different from the 7-kilometer stairway to the peak.