View source for Mount Apo

{{Short description|Highest mountain in the Philippines}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Mount Apo
| other_name = {{unbulleted list | {{native name|mno|Apo Sandawa}} |  {{native name|tagalog|Bundok Apo}}  }}
{{native name|ceb|Bukid Apo}}
| etymology = 
| native_name = 
| native_name_lang = 
| translation = 
| pronunciation = 
| photo = Tuktok ng Pilipinas.jpg
| photo_size = 
| photo_alt = 
| photo_caption = Mount Apo with [[Lake Venado]] at its foot
| elevation_m = 2954
| elevation_ref = <ref name=otm>{{cite opentopomap|Mount Apo|6.9875|125.270833|2023-02-27}}</ref><ref name=ciafb>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/philippines/|title=The World Factbook – Philippines|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|access-date=March 14, 2011|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105174752/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/philippines/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="peaklist"/>
| prominence_m = 2954
| prominence_ref = <ref name="peaklist">{{cite web|url=http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/philippines.html|title=Philippines Mountain Ultra-Prominence|publisher=peaklist.org|access-date=June 19, 2009|archive-date=February 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217134056/http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/philippines.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br /><small> [[List of peaks by prominence|Ranked 99th]]</small>
| isolation_km = 
| isolation_ref = 
| range = [[Apo–Talomo]]
| parent_peak = 
| listing = {{ubl|[[List of mountain peaks by prominence|World most prominent peaks]] 99th|[[List of islands by highest point|Island highest point]] 24th|[[List of elevation extremes by country|Country high points]] 72nd|[[List of mountains in the Philippines|Philippines highest peaks]] 1st|[[List of Ultras of the Philippines|Philippines Ultra peaks]] 1st |Philippines Ribu peaks 1st|[[List of Philippine provinces and regions by highest point|Mindanao highest peak]]|[[List of potentially active volcanoes in the Philippines|Potentially active volcano]]}}
| map = Mindanao mainland#Philippines
| map_image = 
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = 
| map_relief = 
| map_size = 
| label = 
| label_position = <!------- LOCATION -->
| location = <!-- [[Mindanao]] -->
| country = [[Philippines]]
| state_type = [[Regions of the Philippines|Region]]
| state = {{ubl| [[Davao Region]] | [[Soccsksargen]]}}
| region_type = [[Provinces of the Philippines|Province]]
| region = {{hlist| [[Cotabato]] | [[Davao del Sur]] }}
| settlement_type = [[Cities of the Philippines|City]]/[[Municipalities of the Philippines|municipality]]
| settlement = {{hlist|[[Davao City]]|[[Digos]]|[[Kidapawan]]|[[Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur|Sta. Cruz]]}}<!-- also add municipalities -->
<!-- LOCATION ends -->| coordinates = {{coord|6|59|15|N|125|16|15|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref = <ref name = "peaklist"/>
| topo = 
| type = [[Stratovolcano]]
| age = Pliocene-Quaternary<ref name="UNESCO-Apo" />
| geology = 
| volcanic_arc = Central Mindanao Volcanic Arc
<!--Hot springs: Apo Spring, Sibuland Spring, Pogpog Spring, Kulan Spring, Mabollo Spring, Garok Spring, Marawer Spring (43-59°C), Agco Spring, Mandarangan Hot Spring, Geyser-->
| last_eruption = Unknown
| first_ascent = 1880 by Joaquin Rajal, governor of Davao; Joseph Montano, a French anthropologist; Jesuit missionary Father Mateo Gisbert, etc.<ref>Montano, Dr. Joseph. "Voyage Aux Philippines et en Malaisie", p. 246. Labrairie Hechette, Paris, 1886.</ref><ref>Maso, Miguel Saderra. "Volcanoes and Seismic Centers of the Philippines", p.27. Department of Commerce and Labor, 1904.</ref>
| easiest_route = Kidapawan-Magpet Trail<ref>(2007-10-08). [http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/10/mt-apokidapawan-magpet-trail-2956.html "Mt. Apo/Kidapawan-Magpet Trail"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617214149/http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/10/mt-apokidapawan-magpet-trail-2956.html |date=June 17, 2008 }}. Pinoy Mountaineer. Retrieved on April 23, 2011.</ref>
| normal_route = 
| access = 
| child = 
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
}}

'''Mount Apo''' is the [[List of Ultras of the Philippines|highest mountain peak]] in the [[Philippines]], with an elevation of {{convert|2954|m|sp=us}} [[above sea level]]. A large [[solfataric]], [[Dormant volcano|dormant]] [[stratovolcano]], it is part of the [[Apo-Talomo Mountain Range]] of [[Mindanao]] island. Apo is situated on the tripartite border of [[Davao City]], [[Davao del Sur]], and [[Cotabato]]; its peak is visible from Davao City {{convert|45|km|mi|sp=us}} to the northeast, [[Digos]] {{convert|25|km|mi|sp=us}} to the southeast, and [[Kidapawan|Bansalan]] {{convert|20|km|mi|sp=us}} to the west. Apo is a [[List of protected areas of the Philippines|protected area]] and is the centerpiece of Mount Apo Natural Park.<ref name="GovPH-Proc59">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1936/05/09/proclamation-no-59-s-1936/|title=Proclamation No. 59; Reserving, Setting Apart, and Designating as Mount Apo Natural Park for Park Purposes for the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People of the Philippines the Parcel of Public Domain, Situated in the Municipal District of Kidapawan, Province of Cotabato, and Municipal District of Guianga and Municipality of Santa Cruz, Province of Davao, Island of Mindanao|date=May 9, 1936|work=[[Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines]]|location=Malacañan Palace, Manila, Philippines|access-date=March 9, 2016|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421141347/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1936/05/09/proclamation-no-59-s-1936/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Geology==
Mount Apo is a flat-topped, {{Convert|2954|m|ft|abbr=on}} (above sea level) high stratovolcano with three peaks. It is the highest peak of the Philippines. The southwest peak has the highest elevation and is topped by a {{Convert|200.|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide [[volcanic crater|crater]] that contains a small lake.<ref name="SI">{{cite web|url=https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=271030|title=Apo|work=[[Global Volcanism Program]]|publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution]]|access-date=February 11, 2020|archive-date=January 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123020006/http://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=271030|url-status=live}}</ref>

The volcanic history of Mount Apo is poorly known but eruptions have produced [[andesitic]]-to-[[dacitic]] [[lava]]. A line of solfataras extend from the southeast flank at an elevation of {{Convert|2400.|m|ft|abbr=on}} to the summit. Mount Apo is not known to have had historical eruptions, and was incorrectly attributed to be the source volcano of the 1641 eruption of [[Mount Melibengoy]], also in Mindanao.<ref name="SI"/>

==Etymology and indigenous peoples==
''[[wikt:apo|Apo]]'' is a title of respect meaning "revered elder" in various languages of the surrounding [[Lumad]] indigenous peoples.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Knipp |first1=Steven |title=The Living Mountain |url=http://www.mafi.org.ph/information/featured_topics/ft_sub_06.html |website=Mount Apo Foundation Inc. |access-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-date=November 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125061033/http://www.mafi.org.ph/information/featured_topics/ft_sub_06.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is the shortened form of the original [[Manobo language|Manobo]] and [[Kalagan language|Kalagan]] name Apo Sandawa ("Elder Sandawa" or "Grandfather Sandawa"), the name of the [[anito|spirit of the mountain]]. Apo Sandawa is also regarded as an [[ancestor spirit]] by the various [[Manobo people|Manobo]] and [[Kalagan people|Kalagan]] tribes living in the foothills, including the Obo, Manobo Bagobo, Manobo Apao, Tagabawa, Matigsalug, Ata, Arumanen, Tinananen, Kulamanen, Tagakaulo and Kagan peoples. The mountain itself is considered sacred grounds. Various rituals to Apo Sandawa are conducted by the supreme ''[[babaylan|walyan]]'' (shaman) known as the ''diwata'', who also serves as the medium for Apo Sandawa and the ancestor spirits of the Manobo and Kalagan tribes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cauayan |first1=Editha |title=IP leaders hold tribal ritual to save Mt Apo |url=https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/134072-ip-leaders-ritual-save-apo |work=[[Rappler]] |date=May 24, 2016 |access-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204111453/https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/134072-ip-leaders-ritual-save-apo |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tacio |first1=Henrylito D. |title=Mt. Apo: Race to the summit |url=https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/sunstar-davao/20130314/281513633588072 |access-date=December 4, 2019 |work=[[SunStar]]Davao |date=March 14, 2013 |archive-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204111453/https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/sunstar-davao/20130314/281513633588072 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Climate ==
[[File:Overlooking View at the Peak of Mt. Apo, Philippines.jpg|thumb|left|Overlooking view from Mount Apo summit]]

The climate at the summit of Mount Apo is [[alpine climate|alpine]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''ETH'') as its mean temperature does not exceed {{convert|10|C|F|disp=or}} in any month. It falls under the Type IV climate under the modified corona's classification wherein rainfall is uniformly distributed throughout the year. Mean monthly temperature ranges from a low {{convert|6.9|C}} during January to {{convert|8.9|C}} during April. Monthly relative humidity ranges from 78% during March and April and 82% during June and July. Minima reach {{convert|2.4|C}} in January and February.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

In late March–April 2016, due to the extreme effects of [[El Niño]] caused by [[climate change]], massive patches of forest fires and [[bushfires]] appeared on the slopes of the mountain, causing hikers on the mountain to halt their ascent. Tourism in the region was threatened due to a massive haze engulfing the slopes of the mountain. The mountain later recovered after the government and local stakeholders initiated a holistic recovery plan for the entire natural park.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/03/29/1567307/mt.-apo-forest-fire-now-alarmingly-large|title=Mt. Apo forest fire now 'alarmingly large'|work=[[The Philippine Star]]|access-date=April 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415110353/http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/03/29/1567307/mt.-apo-forest-fire-now-alarmingly-large|archive-date=April 15, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Mount Apo 
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|width       = auto
| Jan high C = 11.4
| Feb high C = 12.4
| Mar high C = 12.4
| Apr high C = 13.4
| May high C = 12.4
| Jun high C = 11.4
| Jul high C = 10.4
| Aug high C = 10.4
| Sep high C = 11.4
| Oct high C = 11.4
| Nov high C = 11.4
| Dec high C = 11.4

| Jan mean C = 6.9
| Feb mean C = 7.4
| Mar mean C = 7.9
| Apr mean C = 8.9
| May mean C = 8.4
| Jun mean C = 7.9
| Jul mean C = 7.4
| Aug mean C = 7.4
| Sep mean C = 7.9
| Oct mean C = 7.9
| Nov mean C = 7.9
| Dec mean C = 7.4

| Jan low C = 2.4
| Feb low C = 2.4
| Mar low C = 3.4
| Apr low C = 4.4
| May low C = 4.4
| Jun low C = 4.4
| Jul low C = 4.4
| Aug low C = 4.4
| Sep low C = 4.4
| Oct low C = 4.4
| Nov low C = 4.4
| Dec low C = 3.4
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 51
| Feb precipitation mm = 41
| Mar precipitation mm = 38
| Apr precipitation mm = 45
| May precipitation mm = 82
| Jun precipitation mm = 108
| Jul precipitation mm = 114
| Aug precipitation mm = 120
| Sep precipitation mm = 95
| Oct precipitation mm = 96
| Nov precipitation mm = 76
| Dec precipitation mm = 52

|source 1 =  meteoblue.com <small>(modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)</small><ref name="met_norms">{{cite web
 |url= https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/mount-apo_philippines_1730340
 |title= Climate: Modelled Mount Apo – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table
 |publisher= meteoblue.com
 |access-date= August 15, 2021
|archive-date= August 15, 2021
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210815023844/https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/mount-apo_philippines_1730340
 |url-status= live
 }}</ref>
|date=August 2021}}

==Bodies of water==
=== Lakes ===
There are four major lakes in Mount Apo. Popular of these are Lake Agco, which used to be called "The Blue Lake", and [[Lake Venado]], a well-known mountaineers camping site and a stopover towards the peak. Lake Macadac and Lake Jordan are found in the summit grassland.<ref name="SunStar-ClimbHighestPeak">{{cite news |title=A climb to the highest peak |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/280028/a-climb-to-the-highest-peak |access-date=August 25, 2023 |work=[[SunStar]] |date=April 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825140346/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/280028/a-climb-to-the-highest-peak |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Rivers ===
Mount Apo has 19 major rivers and 21 creeks draining its 8 major [[Drainage basin|watershed]]s (PASAlist.1992). Out of the 19 major rivers, only two has studies as reported by SEA-BMB consultants for the Mt. Apo Geothermal Project Environmental Impact Assessment 1991. According to the report, there are two river ecosystems draining the geothermal site namely: (1) Marbel-Matingao river ecosystem- characterized by narrower river channels at highly elevated areas, much faster water flow, clearer water and rock boulder-rich water beds. The aquatic organisms in the area have expectedly lower biological productivity and species diversity. The report also concluded that this river ecosystem provides much less economic and commercial value for its biological production. The study identified 12 species of fish caught in the area; (2) [[Kabacan River]]- [[Pulangi River]] ecosystem- characterized by a much wider channels at flat areas, relatively much slower water flow, highly turbid waters and sandy mud river beds.

Mount Apo is a [[headwaters]] [[catchment]] area of several major river systems like the [[Marbel River|Marbel]], [[Matingaw River|Matingaw]], [[Kabacan River|Kabacan]], [[Pulangi River|Pulangi]], [[Sibulan River|Sibulan]], and [[Digos River|Digos]] rivers.

=== Waterfalls ===
The [[Tudaya Falls]] is a one-tier {{convert|150|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} waterfall in Mt. Apo Natural Park.<ref>{{cite news |title=Must-sees when trekking on the 'grandfather' of Philippine mountains |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/advertorial/life/02/15/18/must-sees-when-trekking-on-the-grandfather-of-philippine-mountains |access-date=August 25, 2023 |work=[[ABS-CBN News]] |date=February 15, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223140347/https://news.abs-cbn.com/advertorial/life/02/15/18/must-sees-when-trekking-on-the-grandfather-of-philippine-mountains |archive-date=February 23, 2018}}</ref> This waterfall flows into the Sibulan River, which empties into the [[Davao Gulf]].

==Flora and fauna==
The grasslands of Mount Apo are dominated by Cogon grass (''[[Imperata cylindrica]]'') and ''[[Saccharum spontaneum]]''. Other grasses and ferns also thrive, especially along banks of creeks, streams, and rivers and on steep slopes.

Mount Apo is home to over 272 bird species, 111 of which are [[endemic (ecology)|endemic]] to the area. It is also home to one of the world's largest eagles, the [[critically endangered]] [[Philippine eagle]], which is the country's national bird.<ref name="Profile">[http://pawb.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=155&Itemid=156 "Profile – Mt. Apo Natural Park"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824035540/http://pawb.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=155&Itemid=156 |date=August 24, 2011 }}. Philippine Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. Retrieved on April 29, 2011.</ref>

<gallery class="center" widths="150px" heights="150px">
File:Nepenthes copelandii1.jpg|''[[Nepenthes copelandii]]'', a [[pitcher plant]] endemic to the mountains of Mindanao
File:Mount Apo Sunbird 1.jpg|The [[Apo sunbird]], a [[sunbird]] [[endemic]] to Mindanao
File:Tajuria igolotiana fumiae, female, Mt. Apo.JPG|''Tajuria igolotiana fumiae''
</gallery>

==Energy==
===Geothermal energy===
[[File:Mount Apo sulfur vent4.JPG|thumb|A sulfuric vent in Mount Apo]]

The Mt. Apo 1 and Mt. Apo 2 geothermal plants, each possess a rated capacity of 54.24 [[megawatt]]s. Owned and operated by Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the power plants were commissioned in February 1997 (Mt. Apo 1) and June 1999 (Mt. Apo 2) respectively, under a build-operate owner contract arrangement. Located in [[Barangay]] Ilomavis, [[Kidapawan]] City, [[North Cotabato]] is the ''[[Mindanao Geothermal Production Field]]'' with a power output of 108.48&nbsp;[[Megawatt|MW]], currently the only power plant of its kind in Mindanao.<ref>[http://www.energy.com.ph/our-projects/geothermal/ "Geothermal Operating Sites – Mindanao Geothermal Production Field"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104154602/http://www.energy.com.ph/our-projects/geothermal/ |date=November 4, 2015 }}. Energy Development Corporation. Retrieved on April 29, 2011.</ref>

The [[Philippine National Oil Company]] geothermal plant supplies electricity to Kidapawan and its neighboring provinces, its completion boosted the city's economy.

===Hydroelectric plants===
==== The Tudaya Hydropower Plant ====
The Tudaya Hydropower Plant, located near the foot of Mount Apo on the Davao side ([[Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur]]), is composed of two [[run-of-river]] type plants that will contribute to the energy needs of Mindanao by early 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2012/08/work-begins-on-philippines-7-mw-tudaya-2-hydroelectric-plant.html|title=Work begins on Philippines' 7-MW Tudaya 2 hydroelectric plant|website=www.hydroworld.com|access-date=March 17, 2019|archive-date=August 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826084210/http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2012/08/work-begins-on-philippines-7-mw-tudaya-2-hydroelectric-plant.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== The Sibulan Hydroelectric Power Plant ====
The Sibulan Hydroelectric Power Plants have been generating 42.5 MW of clean and renewable energy for Davao since 2010. It is also composed of two run-of the river mini hydro power plants.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.power-technology.com/projects/sibulan-hydroelectri/|title=Sibulan Hydroelectric Power Project|website=Power Technology {{!}} Energy News and Market Analysis|language=en-GB|access-date=March 17, 2019|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808234039/https://www.power-technology.com/projects/sibulan-hydroelectri/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aboitizpower.com/plants/sibulan-hydro-a/|title=Sibulan Hydro A|website=AboitizPower|language=en-US|access-date=March 17, 2019|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116211509/https://aboitizpower.com/plants/sibulan-hydro-a/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Sibulan A was completed and commissioned on December 26, 2010. Local residents who are mainly engaged in [[abaca]] and fruit farming have since benefited from the use of {{convert|44|km}} of farm-to-market roads which were developed as access to the plants.<ref name=":0" />

==Conservation==
===Mount Apo Natural Park===
[[File:Mount Apo Rainforest.jpg|thumb|Mount Apo rainforest in 2021]]

On May 9, 1936, Mount Apo was declared a [[National Parks of the Philippines|National Park]] with ''Proclamation No. 59'' by President [[Manuel L. Quezon]] followed by ''Proclamation No. 35'' of May 8, 1966,<ref name="GovPH-Proc35">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1966/05/08/proclamation-no-35-s-1966/|title=Proclamation No. 35; Revoking Proclamation No. 507-A dated December 16, 1965, which Excluded Certain Portions of Land from the Mt. Apo Natural Park and Restoring the Same Areas as Part of the Mt. Apo Natural Park.|date=May 8, 1966|work=[[Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines]]|location=Malacañan Palace, Manila, Philippines|access-date=March 9, 2016|archive-date=November 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106135810/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1966/05/08/proclamation-no-35-s-1966/|url-status=live}}</ref> then ''Proclamation No. 882'' of September 24, 1996.<ref name="GovPH-Proc882">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1996/09/24/proclamation-no-882-s-1996/|title=Proclamation No. 882; Amending Presidential Proclamation No. 59 dated May 9, 1936 by Declaring Certain Parcels of Land of the Public Domain Covering Mt. Apo Situated in the Municipalities of Kidapawan, Makilala and Magpet in the Province of Cotabato; Bansalan, Digos, Sta. Cruz, in the Province of Davao del Sur and in the City of Davao, Island of Mindanao as Protected Area under the Category of Natural Park|date=September 24, 1996|work=[[Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines]]|location=Malacañan Palace, Manila, Philippines|access-date=March 9, 2016|archive-date=November 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106135808/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1996/09/24/proclamation-no-882-s-1996/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://pawb.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71:region-11&catid=69:regions "Protected Areas in Region 11"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320151419/http://pawb.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71:region-11&catid=69:regions |date=March 20, 2012 }}. Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Philippines. Retrieved on March 23, 2011.</ref> On February 3, 2004, [[President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo]] approved ''Republic Act No. 9237'', which established Mount Apo as a protected area under the category of [[Natural Parks of the Philippines|Natural Park]] with an area of {{convert|54,974.87|ha|acre}}; with two peripheral areas of {{convert|2,571.73|ha|acre}} and {{convert|6,506.40|ha|acre}} as buffer zones, provided for its management and for other purposes.<ref name="MAFIOrgPH-RA9237">{{cite web|url=http://www.mafi.org.ph/pdf-files/park-related-law-and-documents/REPUBLIC%20ACT%20NO%209237.pdf|title=Republic Act No. 9237; An Act Establishing Mount Apo Located in the Municipalities of Magpet and Makilala and City of Kidapawan, Province of Cotabato, in the Municipalities of Bansalan and Sta. Cruz and City of Digos, Province of Davao Del Sur, and in the City of Davao, as a Protected Area Under the Category of Natural Park and Its Peripheral Areas as Buffer Zones, Providing for Its Management, and for Other Purposes|date=February 3, 2004|website=Mount Apo Foundation, Inc.|access-date=March 9, 2016|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310005842/http://www.mafi.org.ph/pdf-files/park-related-law-and-documents/REPUBLIC%20ACT%20NO%209237.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.chm.ph/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_details&gid=160&Itemid=56 "Details for Republic Act no. 9237, Mount Apo Protected Act of 2003"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323101521/http://www.chm.ph/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_details&gid=160&Itemid=56 |date=March 23, 2012 }}. Philippine Clearing House Mechanism for Diversity. Retrieved on April 29, 2011.</ref>

===UNESCO World Heritage list===
[[File:Mount Apo.JPG|thumb|left|Forest clearing in Mount Apo's old-growth rainforest. Such clearing practices have now been permanently banned throughout the park and its buffer zones in a bid to strengthen the park's integrity for [[UNESCO]] designation.]]

In 1987, the [[National Geographic Society]] based in Washington, DC in the [[United States]], published a book entitled, ''"Our World's Heritage"'', where Mount Apo was noted as a 'site of World Heritage caliber'.<ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 0870446975|title = Our World's Heritage|year = 1987 | last1=Lutyk | first1=Carol Bittig | publisher=National Geographic Society }}</ref> The cover of the book also featured Mount Apo's iconic [[Philippine eagle]], along with three other heritage sites which have already been designated as "UNESCO World Heritage Sites".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6352394-our-world-s-heritage|title=Our World's Heritage|date=1987 |publisher=National Geographic Society |access-date=November 20, 2018|archive-date=November 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120095711/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6352394-our-world-s-heritage|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Department of Environment and Natural Resources]] (DENR) submitted Mount Apo on December 12, 2009, for inclusion in the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site|world heritage]] list. The mountain is considered by the DENR as the center of [[endemism]] in [[Mindanao]]. It has one of the highest land-based biological diversity in terms of flora and fauna per unit area. It has three distinct forest formations, from lowland [[tropical rainforest]], to mid-mountain forests, and finally to high mountain forests.<ref name="UNESCO-Apo">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5485/|title=Tentative Lists; Mount Apo Natural Park|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=March 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311220211/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5485/|archive-date=March 11, 2011}}</ref>

In March 2015, Mount Apo was taken out from the UNESCO List of Tentative Sites due to the dramatic changes (such as logging, intrusion of companies and urban and agricultural landscape, exploitation, and poaching, among others) it experienced which does not constitute the UNESCO documents that describe the park.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=Iona Finlay C. |title=Mt. Apo bats for inclusion in Unesco Global Geoparks list |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1915257/davao/local-news/mt-apo-bats-for-inclusion-in-unesco-global-geoparks-list |access-date=August 25, 2023 |work=[[SunStar]] |date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207125137/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1915257/davao/local-news/mt-apo-bats-for-inclusion-in-unesco-global-geoparks-list |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Better conservation and a change in the content of documents was recommended by UNESCO.

==Hiking activity==
[[File:Apo1.jpg|thumb|Hikers at the peak]]

At {{convert|2954|m|sp=us}}, Mount Apo is the highest [[mountain]] (peak) and [[volcano]] in the Philippines. It is one of the country's most popular hiking/climbing destinations.

The first two attempts to reach Mt. Apo's summit ended in failure: that of Jose Oyanguren (1852) and Señor Real (1870). The first recorded successful expedition was led by Don Joaquin Rajal on October 10, 1880. Prior to the climb, Rajal had to secure the permission of the [[Bagobo]] chieftain, Datu Manig. It is said that the Datu demanded that human sacrifice be made to please the god Mandarangan. But the datu agreed to waive this demand, and the climb commenced on October 6, 1880, succeeding five days later.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} Since then, numerous expeditions followed. These and more are described in colorful narrations by Fr. Miguel Bernad, S.J.

Several trails lead to the summit, coming from [[North Cotabato]] and [[Davao Province|Davao]] provinces. Arguably the easiest route to the Natural Park is through [[Kidapawan]] with an average hike taking 3–4 days roundtrip. In the classification system used by local popular mountaineering website PinoyMountaineer.com, the difficulty of the hike is 7 out of 9. Various sights along the trail include [[Lake Venado]] (the highest lake in the Philippines), the [[solfatara]]s, and the old crater near its summit.

==See also==
*[[Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology]]
**[[List of active volcanoes in the Philippines]]
**[[List of inactive volcanoes in the Philippines]]
**[[List of potentially active volcanoes in the Philippines]]
*[[List of power plants in the Philippines#Geothermal|List of geothermal power plants in the Philippines]]
*[[List of protected areas of the Philippines]]
*[[List of Southeast Asian mountains]]
*[[ASEAN Heritage Parks]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Mount Apo}}
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120218200657/http://volcano.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/update_VMEPD/Volcano/VolcanoList/apo.htm Apo] — Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
* [https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=271030 Apo] — Global Volcanism Program
* [http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/483022/mount-apo.html Mount Apo] — Summitpost
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070303015603/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5022/ Mt. Apo Natural Park] — UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List

{{Highest points of Asia}}
{{Ten Highest Mountains in the Philippines}}
{{Volcanoes of the Philippines}}
{{ASEAN Heritage Parks}}
{{Protected areas in the Davao Region}}
{{Protected areas in Soccsksargen}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Apo}}
[[Category:Mountains of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of Mindanao]]
[[Category:Landforms of Cotabato]]
[[Category:Landforms of Davao del Sur]]
[[Category:Two-thousanders of Asia]]
[[Category:Volcanic crater lakes]]
[[Category:Potentially active volcanoes of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Stratovolcanoes of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Subduction volcanoes]]
[[Category:ASEAN heritage parks]]
[[Category:Natural parks of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Cotabato]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Davao del Sur]]
[[Category:Ultra-prominent peaks of Asia]]