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MOUNT KITANGLAD (MOUNTAIN
RANGE)
LOCATION: Bukidnon Province
ELEVATION: 2,938 meters above sea level
LEVEL: Major Climb, Level III, Strenuous
JUMP OFF POINTS: Impasug-ong, Sumilao, Lantapan,
Bukidnon
INFORMATION:
Mount Kitanglad Range belongs to the volcanic Lanao-Bukidnon
Highland and covers most of the northern half of Central Mindanao.
It has an elevation up to 2,938 meters above sea level, dominating
the Bukidnon plateau. The Kitanglad mountain range is composed
of numerous peaks, the more prominent ones are Mt. Kitanglad,
Mt. Kaatuan, Mt. Maagnaw and Mt. Dulang-Dulang. This is one
of the confusing mountains in the country in terms of stature.
It was once measures as 2,385 meters above sea level but recent
claims contest that the mountain’s highest peak, Mt.
Dulang Dulang measures 2,938 meters above sea level, thereby
making it the country’s second highest peak after Mt.
Apo relegating Mt. Pulag to the third place. Though no official
proclamations proves this and Pulag is still called the country’s
second highest.
Kitanglad mountain range is a part of the Kitanglad National
Park and is situated in North Central Bukidnon. It has an
area of 31,297 hectares composed of more than a dozen mountain
peaks. It is home to a host of rare bird species like the
serpent eagle, the red harrier, the Brahmin kite and the Philippine
sparrow hawk to name a few. Mt. Kitanglad towers more than
2,500 meters which offers a challenge to mountain climbers.
To reach it’s summit, one has to scale its ranges for
five hours passing through flora and fauna of a genuine virgin
forest. At the base is Lawan Dalawangan, which is the home
of the Philippine Eagle.
The Kitanglad mountain range which dominates the north-central
portion of the Bukidnon Plateau plays a vital role in the
socio-economic development of North and Central Mindanao.
Aside from being the homeland of indigenous cultural communities
of Bukidnon, it is also a major watershed providing water
for power generation, irrigation, and domestic use for the
provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. The place is occupied
by 8 municipalities of Bukidnon namely Talakag (4,945 ha),
Baungon (3,157 ha), Libona (6,196 ha), Fortich (595 ha), Sumilao
(3,532 ha), Malaybalay (2,317 ha), Lantapan (7,912 ha), and
Impasug-ong (1,985 ha). Mount Kitanglad Range, covers an estimated
area of about 30,642.0 hectares, of which 82% is secondary
forest, 5% brushland, 12% grassland areas while the remaining
1% constitute agricultural/open and bare soil areas. Its buffer
zone covers an area of 14,480.0 hectares. The climate of Mt.
Kitanglad falls under Type III of the Modified Corona's Classification.
This is characterized by a short dry season lasting from one
to three months and with no pronounced maximum rain period.
Temperature ranges from 22.7 C during January to 24.6 C during
June. The area receives the highest amount of rainfall during
the month of June, while the direst period is in the month
of March. Relative humidity varies from 71% in May to 86%
in September. The area is virtually cloud-covered throughout
the year. Mt. Kitanglad Range forms the headwater catchment
area of several major river systems draining North and Central
Mindanao. Among these are the Cagayan, Tagoloan, and Pulangi
Rivers.
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