Tuna has been the famous product of the highly urbanized General Santos City. Actually, its abundance of tuna is celebrated annually through the Tuna Festival. But, little do they know that GenSan locals have also this food store at the top of a mountain serving its famous tinolang manok. A Restaurant? at the mountain top? Tinolang Manok? Are you kidding me? Well, I think you haven't heard about Sanchez Peak.
Sanchez peak, named after the owner of the area, Mr and Mrs. Jun Sanchez, is located at Sitio balakayo, Barangay Olympog. One of the tourist destination for mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts that you can visit nearby. Climbing Sanchez Peak requires no extreme mountaineering skill as the trail is very defined, but Balakayo‘s open trail during midday is a constant battle with scorching heat. With the current relative temperature of GenSan that can reach up to a maximum of 40 degrees, the two-hour ascent also seem like a lifetime.
Getting there
After the 40 min ride from the city proper, we started our trek around 5 PM via Balakayo Trail which was the easiest among trails but is the longest. In this trail, guides are not essential as trails are very established. Should you need one, children are available to come with you at the start off point where one must register and need to pay 10 pesos for the registration / environmental fee. Usually motorcycle riders use this trail in ascending to the top.
The first part of the trail is a typical cemented area where you can take a glance of GenSan's city lights, comparable to Davao's Jack Ridge and Cebu's TOPS. The trek usually lasts around 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours depending on the hiker's stamina. As this is perfect for neophyte trekkers, one must not need to pace fast. It is very adviceable to just enjoy the view, the smell of the cool breeze and the chit chats of your fellow hikers.
The other trail, Balsinang Trail is the shorter trail but tougher than the Balakayo. Although it has established trail as same as Balakayo, it offers a steeper ascend, with a rocky assault trail all the way top. This trail is ideal for night trek as city lights will illuminate your way.
At the peak
You do not need to bring a lot of goods while trekking Sanchez Peak as there's a sari-sari store that you can buy the basic necessities. It also offers their famous native chicken soup; a must - try before leaving the summit. The hot soup perfectly fits the cold weather atop. Hikers that decides to stay on top can pitch a tent and can be greeted in the morning by Mt. Matutum (if the cloud permits) and the nice rising of the sun. Who does not want to watch such adorable moments after all?
Trail difficulty : 3/9
Total trekking time : 2 - 4 hours depending on one's stamina
Breakdown of expenses:
Lagao - Balakayo (tricycle ) : 200 / 3 pax
registration fee : 20 (at top) ; 10 (at jump off point)
tinolang manok : 150 - 200 depending upon the size of the chicken
Face the uncertainty of the path that you’re going to walk because as they say life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Have the courage to take the risk and don’t be afraid to experience the sense of adventure. Be adventurous at least once in your life and appreciate what Mother Nature gave us, and do our best to preserve it.
Follow me on instagram : @greatJAB
You do not need to be rich to travel, you just got to have the guts to do it. Let me show you the world.
