Mount Apo is the highest mountain peak in the Philippines, with an elevation of 2,954 meters (9,692 ft) above sea level.
A large solfataric, dormant stratovolcano, it is part of the Apo-Talomo Mountain Range of Mindanao island.
The southwest peak has the highest elevation and is topped by a 200 m (656 ft) wide crater that contains a small lake.
[9] Apo is a title of respect meaning "revered elder" in various languages of the surrounding Lumad indigenous peoples.
[11][12] The climate at the summit of Mount Apo is alpine (Köppen ETH) as its mean temperature does not exceed 10 °C or 50 °F in any month.
It falls under the Type IV climate under the modified corona's classification wherein rainfall is uniformly distributed throughout the year.
[citation needed] In late March–April 2016, due to the extreme effects of El Niño caused by climate change and global warming, massive patches of forest fires and bushfires appeared on the slopes of the mountain, causing hikers on the mountain to halt their ascent.
The mountain later recovered after the government and local stakeholders initiated a holistic recovery plan for the entire natural park.
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.
The grasslands of Mount Apo are dominated by Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) and Saccharum spontaneum.
Owned and operated by Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the power plants were commissioned in February 1997 (Mt.
[18] The Philippine National Oil Company geothermal plant supplies electricity to Kidapawan and its neighboring provinces, its completion boosted the city's economy.
[19] The Sibulan Hydroelectric Power Plants have been generating 42.5 MW of clean and renewable energy for Davao since 2010.
Local residents who are mainly engaged in abaca and fruit farming have since benefited from the use of 44 kilometres (27 mi) of farm-to-market roads which were developed as access to the plants.
[28] The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) submitted Mount Apo on December 12, 2009, for inclusion in the UNESCO world heritage list.
Arguably the easiest route to the Natural Park is through Kidapawan with an average hike taking 3–4 days roundtrip.