If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. The Cordillera Great Traverse or CGT2015, began as one Facebook post inquiring whether there were connecting trails or natural pathways for the six provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to make it the ultimate venue for the longest trail expedition in the Philippines.
In April next year, the CGT 2015 team composed of National Geographic explorers, adventurers, nature lovers, ultrarunners, environmentalists, mountaineers, and fitness enthusiasts will attempt to establish the longest and the most scenic hiking/trekking destination in the Philippines by connecting all six CAR provinces in an epic and longest expedition starting from Sagada (Mountain Province), connecting and passing through Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Ifugao and finally to Baguio City, Benguet.
The estimated distance is around 400 kilometers with several thousands meters of elevation gain and loss through the mountain passes, forests, rivers, waterfalls, rice terraces, villages and ancient trails.
It shall pass through and highlight a scenic route and major tourist attractions and will present hikers/trekkers, both local and foreign, the natural beauty of the Cordillera mountains, rivaling some of the best trekking destinations in the world like the Appalachian Trail (3,500km, USA), the Great North Walk (250km, Australia), Drakensberg (220km, South Africa), and GR20 (180km Europe).
The CGT2015 team will establish the Fastest Recorded Time (FRT) to cover the six CAR provinces in one continuous push which can be challenged by subsequent attempts at that distance. The subsequent challenge is to beat or oust the Fastest Recorded Time (FRT) of CGT 2015 Team as it attempts the Expedition in 2015.
Pre-expedition activities such as reconnaissance, logistics, security and coordination with government agencies and local leaders have started.
The FAQ page of CGT 2015 states that joining the expedition team is by invitation. To be part of the CGT 2015 Team, one must signify his intention to join via email and must have been endorsed by other existing members as cohesion and chemistry with other members of the team is crucial in this epic undertaking. In addition, team members must have strong athletic background, related experiences in exploration, navigation, mountaineering, medicine, environment, etc.
However, one need not be part of the expedition team to support CGT 2015. This is one expedition worth supporting, even if you can’t join the actual trek, primarily because it’s never been done before.
You can support the Expedition either financially or in kind. You may send your email to [email protected].
You can be part of this epic adventure, albeit vicariously by following them on Facebook (/CordilleraGreatTraversePH), Twitter (@cgt_ph), and Instagram (CordilleraGreatTraverse).
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