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.