Trail Action: Mt. Tapulao

I woke up to a knock on the door by the hotel attendant.  I remember telling him the night before that I'm leaving early.  It was past five in the morning.  Darn!  My activity for the day was a run up Mt. Tapulao, the tallest mountain in Zambales with an elevation of 2,037 masl.  

It was already late when I arrived in Zambales from Bataan, Sunday.  I had to stay overnight in Iba and commute an hour from there to Sitio Dampay Salaza in Palauig.  My activity the previous day took its toll on me hence, I over slept.  To cut the story short, I was at the jump off past 7 am.  

Powered by a plate of pancit, a rice cake and a cup of coffee, I started my way up at exactly 8 am with the sun already up and shining brightly.  Based on the logbook, groups of mountaineers were already on the trail and I was the last one to depart.  As always, I started slow. So slow!  It was my fifth time in Mt. Tapulao,  I knew what to expect.  Slowly, I caught up with the last group, then another group and another one before the 6 km. marker.  I continued until I reached the first water source at km. 6.  I did not bother stopping because I still had enough water that can sustain me up to the next water source.   

the rocky trail

Another group in sight taking a rest.  I passed by on them and as a trail courtesy, I greeted them with a smile. There were few segments of the trail going up that were runnable but I would say that 80 percent are uphills.  Another characteristic of Mt. Tapulao is its rocky trail (I was cursing on my first time).  This is true from km. 6 to km. 8.  Alone, I had to be extra cautious.  I realized that while there are advantages in going solo, there are also some disadvantages.  Like in this instance, no one to asked for help if I met an accident.  

A short runnable segment ensued after reaching km 8.  I took advantage of it.  I caught up with another group taking a rest.  One asked if I was doing a day hike.  She was amazed to hear yes, as an answer.  She continued to ask what I had with me. She was more amazed to learn that I had nothing but water and some chocolates.  I myself once amazed of mountaineers who do day hikes.  Never thought that one day I will be doing it as well but as a trail runner.  Experience played a big factor.   It was the number of climbs I did in the past that gave me the courage and confidence.

the pine forest

After 2 hours, I reached the 2nd water source at km. 10.  I refueled and rested for a while. The next kilometers are all uphills up to the pine forests.  My goal was to reach the summit by 12 noon.  Continuing, there was another group I passed by on these segment. Before entering the pine forest, there was another group.  They were all taking it slowly. I can't blame them, they were all trekking full-packed.  I remembered in my first climb, it took our group almost 13 hrs. to reach the bunker house(campsite then).

Mt. Tapulao's pine forest is a treat after all the hardships.  That is how I find it.  All is beautiful reaching that part - from the pine trees, to the distant mountains, to the sound of the wind.  It made me forget the ordeal I went through in the past number of hours. However after that part, another challenging uphills awaiting.  I had no choice but to kept going.  It was during this part when I encountered groups going down.  By 12 noon I was at the bunker house.  After resting for a while, I began the summit assault.  The steep trail from the bunker house up to the saddle(mossy forest entrance) was slippery.  After the campsite was moved, the trail was less taken.

the bunker house

There was an eerie feeling while I was inside the mossy forest alone.  I have to channel my attention into thinking beautiful and funny moments and ignore whatever sounds I was hearing.  By 12:30 pm, I reached the summit.  It took me 4 hrs. and 30 mins. to cover 18 km.  I was short by 30 mins. of my target time.  Still, I was thankful I had the strength and the courage to do it.  I used to frowned this idea before. Now, I'm doing it all by myself.  

There was no one but me at the summit.  Under the intense heat of the sun, I took a picture of myself at the km. marker.  Afterwards, I took shelter from a shade of a bush, re-hydrate myself, and rested for a few minutes in preparation for my descent.  

At exactly 1 pm, I started my way down.  It was smooth and swift going out of the mossy forest.  I decided to take the trail leading to the new campsite, another segment that was beautiful.  Countless pine trees and nearby mountains can be seen as well.  Passing by the campsite, there was only one group camping.  The other groups has not arrived yet. 

me at the km marker(summit)

My goal was to reach the jump off by 3 pm or after 2 hours.  I just had to be extra careful on the rocks and boulders  but it was all downhill.  With the goal in mind, I started to ran after the campsite.  At km. 15 I encountered one group and another one at km 14. They were surprised to see me going down already.  I just greeted them with a smile and continued.

I was expecting to caught up one of the groups going down at km. 10 but did not.  It was around km. 8 when i caught up with the last group going down.  At around 2:30 pm, I came upon the last group going up.  The group was still very far from the campsite.  With their pacing, I was sure that the night will fall upon them while on the trail.

More groups I caught up in the last 6 km. Actually all the groups I encountered on their way down, I passed by all of them on my descent.  I took it as a challenge since I was on training mode.  It was already 3:30 pm when I arrived  at the jump off.  I was 30 mins. short of my target time.  A guide asked me if  I will do another round.  I was quick to answer no!  I'm already satisfied.  It was already enough to boost my confidence.  I'm ready for CM50! 

This is how I spent the long weekend.  Full of trail action and I loved it!  However, on the last day, I decided to go home instead of going to the beach. =)

alone on the trail

Interested in climbing Mt. Tapulao? Here's how.

> Took a Victory liner bus (Caloocan, Earnshaw, Pasay terminal) bound to Sta. Cruz, Zambales.  Fare is around 451 to 466 pesos.  If you missed the Sta. Cruz bound bus, you can take a bus to Olongapo or Iba.  There are already local buses plying Olongapo - Sta. Cruz and Iba - Sta. Cruz routes.  There are also vans plying Iba - Sta. Cruz route.  Terminal is just in front of the Victory bus station in Iba.  
>  Alight at Dampay Salaza, Palauig (landmark is Zameco).
>  Ride a tryk to the jump-off.  Fare is 250 pesos (per way) per tryk. 
>  Registration fee is 30 pesos.
>  Guide is mandatory for hikers for 700 pesos a day per guide.
>  Water sources are at km. 6, km. 10, and at the bunker house.
>  Campsites are wide and can accommodate a number of tents.
>  Temperature can drop especially at night.
>  This is a major climb and not recommended for first timers.

>  Trail runners are not required a guide.

Trail Action: Tarak Ridge

It was only two days before the start of the long weekend that I realized how long its gonna be.  I was busy lately that i forgot about it and did not plan any out of town trip nor an outdoor activities.  November 1 which falls on a Tuesday, is All Saints Day and a legal holiday. October 31 was declared a special non-working holiday, making it a four-day off from work. Saturday and Sunday included.

Thursday, I tried checking airfare but as expected it was sky high!  A trip to Visayas or Mindanao is off the plan. A random post on Facebook of a tour group caught my interest. A Subic beach-Ticao island-Biri island plus side trips tour package worth five thousand pesos.  I liked the idea but I had second thoughts due to the weather disturbances off the pacific.  I was also thinking to just stay at home, do some home chores and rest. 

Papaya River

It was only Friday night when I finally decided on how i'm going to spend the long weekend.  A  trail running event I signed up, scheduled last week of November helped me decide.  I'm going outdoors!  A training up Tarak Ridge in Bataan on Saturday, Mt. Tapulao in Zambales on Sunday and concluding by another day on a beach. That was the plan.  I packed the things I need and set my alarm clock, 3 am the next day.

It was drizzling when I woke up. It had me thinking on proceeding or not.  Still, I took a bath and prepared.  It continued to drizzle. I decided not to push through and prayed for a better weather the next day.  I went back to sleep.  The drizzling stopped and I woke up to a fine weather. It was actually a sunny Saturday!  Weather nowadays is really unpredictable.  No regrets however, I still have 3 more days.

the forest covered trail

Rain or shine I'm heading outdoors tomorrow!  That was in my head before I went to sleep, Saturday night. Fortunately, when I woke up dawn of Sunday, no more drizzling. The sky was clear and I even saw stars.  After taking a bath, I put on my training gears and headed to the bus station.

I arrived at Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan past 8 am.  I dropped by the road side eatery to have my breakfast. Right after, I went to the Brgy. hall to register and to leave my backpack.  Exactly 9 am, I started the journey up Tarak Ridge on a sunny day.  I walked until my body got its rhythm.  Afterwards, i jogged and ran.  From jump off to Papaya river the trail had gradual uphills but mostly flats.  There was also a forest cover on majority of the trail except for the ridge, so even it was a hot day it was not much of a problem.

the many obstacle laden trail

It was my first time to run on Tarak Ridge though, I have climbed the mountain three times already.  My target was to reach papaya river 12 noon or after 3 hours but arrived an hour earlier.  I rested for a while and refilled my water bottle in preparation for the assault from papaya river to the ridge.  

I was about to start the assault when I spotted some friends.  Actually I was aware (thru FB) they climbed Tarak the day before.  They joked and asked me to join them in going down instead of proceeding to the ridge and that there was a free lunch waiting.  I told them that my mind was already conditioned to reach the ridge.  We parted ways eventually but not before a group picture.  

the inviting water of papaya river

I had been to Tarak a couple of times.  Trail-wise, I was already familiar most specially the assault to the summit from Papaya river.  It did not came as a surprise to me anymore but still, it was challenging.  Sweat glands were in work!  As expected, a lot took advantage of the long holiday.  Many went up the mountain the day before and during the day.  I encountered groups descending and passed by groups ascending.  After an hour, I reached the ridge.  I did not linger long, after taking some photos and re-hydrating, I made my way down.  

me at the ridge and the other outdoor lovers

I was hoping to still caught up with my friends.  Descending, I was in a hurry until I caught up with a big group on their way down.  Advancing was not possible and so I waited patiently.  When it was clear to advance, I took advantage and did not turn my head back. I had a motivation, that is to caught up with friends I met earlier. 

I had a swift descent and made it all the way down by less than two hours.  I had some slips but not serious.  My friends are no where to be seen on the trail anymore but I was surprised to see them at the jump off.  They had just arrived as well.  I joined them and true enough, there was a free lunch courtesy of Ma'am Joyce.  

Interested in climbing Tarak Ridge?  Here is how.

>  Ride a Mariveles, Bataan bound bus.  Get off at Brgy. Alas-asin.

>  Fare from Cubao to Alas-asin is 272 pesos.  

>  Register at the Brgy. Alas - asin Brgy. hall.  Registration fee is 40 pesos.

>  Guide is not mandatory but you may opt to hire one at the Brgy.  You can negotiate the fee but it would be around 300 to 500 pesos a day.

>  Trail-wise, the first segment from jump-off to Papaya river is beginners friendly.  Second segment from the river to the Ridge is steep.  Third segment, from the ridge to the summit is also steep.  You may venture to a peak named El Saco peak which is also steep and with presence of leeches (limatik) 

>  camping sites are at Papaya river (with water source) and at the ridge (no water source).

>  Contact number of the Brgy. 09082020785