SEWAHON PEAK (Officially known as Sicaba-Daku Peak) Mt. Silay, Negros Island, Philippines

Location : Elevation : Basic Features : First Ascent : Approach : Access Route Plan : Climb Route : Climb Plan : Advisory :

Southwest of Cadiz in the southeastern border of Sagay 4,523 ft. 10/10 Difficulty Rating; primary-growth forest in the upper reaches; constantly shrouded in fog; mystic mountain; sharp ridges and steep mountainsides; few inhabitants are confined in the lower east and north slopes August 31, 1999 by Singarong Backpackers Kagang-Bukay (southeast) from Barrio Gawahon uphill logging road and foot-trail to the base of Naathagan Buttress (1.5 days); climb the buttress with technical sections and overgrowth (1.5 days); cross col to Mt. Silay and traverse ridge (0.5 days); canyoning down Kagang-Bukay creek (0.5 days) Southwest Ridge via Bakiras Ridge scramble to the crest of Bakiras Ridge /no established trail from then on (0.5 days); laborious traverse across the bariw scrub of Bakiras (1.5 days); scramble on South Ridge (0.5 days); two night bivouacs are necessary orienteering skills or a sense of direction in the forest is a must; beware of accidents for feasibility of any rescue is almost nil; climb during the wet season from June to November for water is scarce in high places; basic rock climbing equipment and jungle bolo are necessary

Singarong Backpackers HOMEPAGE

(Northern Negros) MAINPAGE

Do you know?       Only three mountaineers    have ever climbed Sewahon                 Peak so far.

BACKGROUND MOUNTAINEERING HISTORY

Sewahon Peak (also Siwahon) towers over Sagay City in the northeastern plains of Negros Island. A mountain guarded by mystic legends as well as by its forbidding mountainsides, Sewahon had remained unclimbed for a very long time. Significantly, the lack of a commercially viable timber over its upper slopes and the dearth of valuable forest products, in combination with its steep precipices, had prevented the intrusion of loggers and the encroachment of the forest scavengers, therby preserving its summit from the reach of man.              Unlike Gawahon, Sewahon has no resident mountaineers to speak of. Mountaineering was generally introduced by outsiders, particularly by a transient mountaineering group in 1998 and another one in 1999. The SB Messner Team, after setting the rare First Ascent of Sewahon Peak on August 31, 1999, learned about the presence of nine mountaineers in

(L-R) Pedro Palabrica, Dennis Ella and Mariebelle Porras - Messner Team members who achieved the First Ascent of Sewahon Peak on August 31, 1999

1999 from the Asst. Detachment Commander of the Army Detachment in Bjormaine while on their way to Fara-on. Perhaps, this 1998 group is the same party referred to by a CARE rescuer, that tried to climb the East Face but withdrew the attempt in the process.

CLIMBING RECORDS

"The First Ascent of Sewahon Peak" South Ridge via Bakiras Bridge (August 31, 1999) SB : Dennis Ella, Pedro Palabrica and Mariebelle Porras Nonguided Exploratory Climb                It was a climb born out of a desperate situation. Pursuing a detour in consequence of the difficulties encountered after the climb of Makawili Peak on the Dinamlagan East Wall, the team went through the agonizing traverse of Bakiras Bridge to the direction of the steep Southwest Ridge of Sewahon Peak - the last major obstacle

for a return to civilization in the northeastern plains. On the fifth day of the venture which was provisioned for only five days, the team hurdled the South Ridge, encountering at one time the scare of passing through a section of the thin ridge which was partly carved out by a landslide. At 5:00 p.m., the team set foot on the summit and faced the dim hope of an immediate descent. Having used up the water supply in the Bakiras Bridge Traverse, the team waited for a rain from which to gather water as they set up camp on the summit. The rain poured at 10:00 p.m. and they had supper late at 11:00 p.m. This is the First Ascent of Sewahon Peak.

The Bakiras Ridge (bakiras means "abrasions from thorns" spans to only about 6 kms or merely two hours for an easy hike. Covered by the dense tangle of  bariw , rattan and some thorny vines, this ridge tortured the Messner Team in its traverse that lasted for nine hours excluding the period of a difficult bivouac and depleted its water and other supplies.

Full Story of Sewahon Ascent (Click Here)