Showing posts with label #benguet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #benguet. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Mt. Pulag

Finally it happened! I have climbed the so called playground of Gods and the country’s third highest mountain – Mt. Pulag.  This is after a couple of failed attempts late last year and early this year.  Well, it was worth the entire wait! The invitation came from my friend Adrian which I responded to with a yes instantly.  We were also joined by Rosalyn and Analene on this climb.  We invited other friends but are not available on the date of the climb.   The final participants were the four of us and we’re reunited once again (have climbed with the three in Mt. Rinajani).


Day 1 (Akiki jump-off to Saddle camp)

We arrived in Baguio City on board a Dagupan bus dawn of Aug. 15, 2014.  We wasted no time and went straight to a nearby eatery for a quick breakfast.  Right after eating, we then proceed to the transport terminal (Baguio Old Slaughterhouse).   It was agreed beforehand that we’ll completely rely on public transportation.  Hiring a jeepney or a van would be too expensive for four persons.    Upon getting to the terminal, we took a van plying Baguio-Kabayan route that left the terminal at around 7:30 am.  After one stop and about 3.5 hours of travel we arrived at the Akiki jump-off in Brgy. Duacan, Kabayan.   We were met by our guide Kuya Crispin and he ushered us to the Akiki Ranger Station where we did the registration.  We paid the climbing fees (registration, camping, and green fees) which totaled 230 pesos each.    There was a short briefing given to us on what to expect on the trail and the dos and don’ts during the entire climb.  At around 11:00 am, our trek commenced. 

at one of the stops

The initial part of the trail was easy until reaching the Eddet river.  We did not have a hard time negotiating it. In fact, we were pre-occupied with taking pictures here and there.  It took us 1.5 hours to get to the river.  We had our lunch at the resting station.  After an hour, our trek resumed.  There was a sudden change in weather.   It started to drizzle after we cross the bridge requiring us to wear our ponchos.  It was also at this point of the climb where the steep trail started and it has been steep all the way up to the grassland.   I was amazed by the Pine forest along the trail engulfed with mist making it more scenic that at one point I was expecting for some wolves to come out.  I also wondered how it looks like during sunny days.  We had several rest stops before arriving at Malboro country around 4:15 pm.  It was still drizzling and the temperature starting to drop.  We stayed for a while at the resting station and consumed some trail foods.

at the pine forest
The trek continued and we entered into the montane forest.  As we went deeper into the forest, the cold temperature started to bite as well as the weight of my backpack.  There was nothing much to see inside the forest as it was already dim.  By 5:30 pm, we reached the last water source.  We refilled our water bottles and rested for a while.  Conversations were limited and smiles hardly seen, a proof that we’re all tired.   After more than 2 hours we came out of the forest into a grassland.  It was a relief knowing we’re nearing the end of our trek.  The final hour however, was the hardest part simply because we’re all exhausted.   We had to endure the darkness, the drizzle, the strong wind, and the cold temperature while negotiating in a slow pace the steep part and rolling trail of the grassland.   After trekking for almost 8 hours, we reached the saddle camp with excitement.  Much to our surprise, the camping area and the bunkhouse were empty.   There were no other groups but us.   We opted to stay at the bunkhouse and it was a big relief to us.  Our exhausted bodies no longer need to pitch tents on a dark, cold, and rainy evening.    After changing into dry clothing, we prepared our dinner.  A mushroom soup, salted egg, and chicken-pork adobo filled our hungry stomach.  By 10 pm, we called it a night.  No socials, all just wanting to rest. 

Day 2 (Sunrise viewing, Exit via Tawangan)

We woke up at around 4am of day 2.  We need to be at the summit as early as possible in anticipation of the sunrise.   Mt. Pulag is famed because of its sunrise over a sea of clouds.  We left the bunkhouse several minutes after we had our breakfast.  The assault to the summit took around 30 minutes from the bunkhouse.  We made it all at the summit by 6 am. There were also other climbers (from camp 2) already at the summit eager to witness the sunrise.   However, it was a gloomy morning.  No sunrise.  No sea of clouds.  I was a bit sad.   I was expecting a good weather.  I was expecting to see what Mt. Pulag is famous of.  Others at the summit may not be vocal but I knew they share my feelings.    Minutes after, I came to realize and accept the fact that in mountaineering it’s not always a good weather but there’s always another chance.  I can always go back when it’s best season to climb Mt. Pulag.  After these realizations, I joined my group and we made the most out our Mt. Pulag experience.  To have successfully climbed the country’s third highest mountain is enough reason to be happy.  The mountain still offered a scenic view despite the poor weather condition.  The mountain itself with its mist-shrouded dwarf bamboos was still a sight to behold.

at the summit
with the dwarf bamboos
At 7 am, we stated our descent via the tawangan trail.  As we’re making our way down, it started to drizzle.   Our guide told us that it will be a long journey but no more assaults unlike the day before.  We entered the mossy forest at around 8am.  Some parts of it were so dense that it felt like we’re in another dimension.  Some parts of the trail were concealed by over grown shrubs and foliage proving how less-taken it is.   What really bothered us was the high population of blood leeches (limatik) in most parts of the trail.  The trail was heavily infested that we almost consumed a bottle of alcohol combating with them.  We’re all got bitten still. 

descent to Tawangan
limatik bite
We stopped by the third water station (a stream) to have our lunch.  Had it been a sunny day, I could have taken a dip.  However, it was raining and the water was so cold.   At around 1 pm, we continued our descent inside the seemingly endless forest.  The rain was getting harder while the fog engulfed the surroundings leaving a somewhat eerie feeling on me.  By 3pm, we came out of the forest and had our first glimpse of the village we’re heading to.   After 8.5 hrs. of trekking, finally we reached Tawangan village.  We had to stay overnight at the village because of bad weather. 
the mossy forest
Day 3 (The journey back to Manila)

We woke up early to catch the only bus bound for Baguio from Tinoc, Ifugao which usually leave 7:30 am.  From Tawangan, Benguet, it was an hour motorcycle (habal-habal) ride to Tinoc, Ifugao.   Upon arriving at Tinoc, unfortunately the bus was not roadworthy and can’t go on with the scheduled trip.  We looked for other options as we all need to go back to Manila.  However, vans plying Tinoc-Lagawe route were all reserved by other passengers.  The last option for us was to wait for trucks (from Tawangan) that deliver vegetables (to Nueva Vicaya).  Luckily, the driver of the habal-habal had a contact to a driver of one of the trucks.  However, we had to wait for almost six hours before the truck arrived.  Travel time from Tinoc, Ifugao to Bangbang, Nueva Viscaya was 5 hours with almost 80% of the way was on a rough road over a mountain.  The view was breathtaking and scary at the same time.  Sitting on sacks of carrots while on a long bumpy ride is very uncomfortable but we had to endure just to get home.   We reached Bangbang by 7pm and had our quick dinner at a fast-food before boarding a bus back to Manila. 


The whole experience while very tiring was worth it.   We may not have a good weather but still it was very rewarding.  Mt. Pulag (from Akiki to Tawangan) is still beautiful even in an awful weather.  Truly a must climb mountain.

the flora

just lovely