This Filipino mountaineer set the Guinness World Record for fastest crossing of PH on foot
Lito De Veterbo, known as "Mr. LNT (Leave No Trace)," took on the extreme challenge to travel across the Philippines on nothing but his feet.
The 55-year-old started the mission in Maira-ira Point, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, on Feb. 9, and finished it in Tinaca Point, Glan, Sarangani Province, on July 6.
On Oct. 22, he set the Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of the Philippines on foot, completing the journey in five months.
De Veterbo started mountaineering in 2011, and six months into it, he started advocating for outdoor ethics and environmental awareness through Leave No Trace principles.
He later started doing long-distance walks in 2022, first covering 30 kilometers from Clark City to Angeles, Pampanga, and later did a series of mountain climbing and long-distance walks in 2023.
In this journey, he carried his decade-long advocacy of responsible outdoor recreation.
"I said, why not? Walk across the Philippines, carry the theme, 'Leave No Trace,' and promote environmental awareness and outdoor ethics. At the same time, set the record for crossing the Philippines," he said.
Leave No Trace encourages minimizing your impact wherever you go with principles like dispose of your waste properly, leave what you find, and respect wildlife.
Taking both the highways, roads less travelled
Speaking with PhilSTAR L!fe, De Veterbo said he planned his cross-country walk last year, taking 10 months to prepare by undergoing strength training, securing funds for his accommodation, and waiting for approval from Guinness.
He mapped out his route using Google Maps' street view, GPS trackers, and guidance from his friends from across the Philippines. Before officially starting, he did a "final rehearsal" on Feb. 1, where he walked around Sibuyan Island for three days.
De Veterbo traveled on foot mostly alone, averaging 16 to 18 kilometers per day. He said he preferred to walk at daytime and avoided walking at night for safety purposes.
"It's not a rush thing, so I never had to rush in the morning. So I start around most of the time mga 9 or 10 a.m., but if I have to cover more distance in the day, I start around 6:30 or 7, but never yung may dilim pa," he said.
During the journey, De Veterbo brought one reusable water container, three sets of clothes, three pairs of shoes, and three GPS trackers. He found shelter in hotels and homestays provided by his friends, and consistently coordinated with local government units to document his journey.
Although he was mostly concerned about his safety, especially when he walked on isolated roads, De Veterbo never once considered giving up throughout his five-month journey.
"The physical, I wouldn't attribute that as a challenge because I prepared for this [...] At the end of the walk, I could summarize that the crossing of the Philippines [was] less of a physical activity, it was more of a mental activity," he said.
"It showed the mental toughness, mental strength, because if you don't have that mental strength, ang bilis lang sabihin nung, 'Ayoko na, sakay na ako ng bus, uwi na ako ng Manila,'" he added.
After 45 GPS files, 149 daily videos, 612 witness log sheets, and 2,320 photos, he finished the journey on July 6.
Taking care of the environment, one kilometer at a time
On his rest days, De Veterbo would dedicate his time spreading his "Leave No Trace" advocacy to people—from students, church members, restaurant employees, to mountaineers—to promote responsible outdoor recreation, which was the highlight of his trip.
He added that these workshops were arranged either by LGUs, business organizations, or his colleagues in mountaineering.
"Basically, the objective was to educate people on how we can minimize our impact [on] the environment, allowing us to enjoy and protect the outdoors responsibly," he said. "That's the highlight of the crossing."
De Veterbo also walked the talk. Throughout the entire five-month journey, he never once bought a bottle of water. Instead, he brought his own reusable container and relied on refilling stations in hotels and karinderyas along the way.
Aside from conducting LNT workshops, the 55-year-old mountaineer shared that one of the most meaningful moments from his journey was the one shared with the community he met along the way. In Ilocos Norte, he was given a send-off by the LGU during their flag ceremony. He was also accompanied by an entourage of police and army personnel during his first walk.
"As in, ang saya niya," he said. On his last stretch in Sarangani, he was escorted by two police officers on his journey, with whom he also shared his meals for days.
He was also invited to attend the LGU's session that day, and received a plaque of appreciation from the vice mayor for his achievement.
Looking back, De Veterbo stressed that he did not achieve the feat alone. "'Yung mga kaibigan ko, nandiyan talaga 'yung support," he said, adding that the Baragay Captain of Batulaki organized a walk wherein 17 other people accompanied him in the rain.
Accomplishing this mission while also setting a Guinness World Record was remarkable, but De Vero emphasized that such a feat is possible with the right preparation.
"Anything that we do, mahirap talaga. Pero if you prepare, magiging doable siya," he said, adding that small yet consistent steps can make a big difference over time.
"That's what I meant by progressive preparation," he said. "Walang cramming sa preparation... It might be difficult, but it becomes doable if you have if you inject some sense of recreation[.]"
"Don't venture out if you are not 100% ready to do what you want to do. Pwede namang maghintay," he said.
"Prepare, and that [will] result in a positive outcome," De Veterbo said.
He is now eyeing to go on a "victory walk" in 2026, starting from Sarangani to Ilocos Norte—only this time, he'll focus more on giving back to the people who helped him on his journey, while also allowing himself to take more leisure time along the way.
