‘’Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time.
Keep nothing but memories. Pick nothing but your nose. Steal nothing but hearts.’’
- Albert Einstein
Mount Pulag is the highest mountain in the region of Luzon and the third highest mountain in the Philippines with the height of 2,922 meters above sea level. The first one is Mount Apo (2,956 meters above sea level) in Kidapawan City, Davao del Sur, and the second one is Mount Dulang-Dulang (2,938 meters above sea level) in the Kitanglad Mountain Range of Bukidnon.
The mountain hosts 528 documented plant species. It is the natural habitat of the endemic Dwarf (Wait! enough of this. This is getting a bit like a lesson in geography).
Moving on, there are four trails to choose from to reach the summit. They are the Ambangeg trail, the Akiki trail aka ''The Killer Trail'' (You have to say it with a low tone of voice and a grin), the Tawangan trail from Benguet and the Ambaguio trail from Nueva Vizcaya. Since most of us are beginners, we chose to take the Ambangeg Trail as it is considered to have the easiest even-your-grandma-can-do-it path and the three last-mentioned above are quite of a challenge.
Our rendezvous point is at the Victory Liner bus Terminal in Pasay. From there, we bought our tickets going to Baguio. Here's a fare matrix for your reference:
Just in case you're reading this 30 years from now or you might be one of my grandkids, please note that schedules and fares are subject to change without prior notice. Please visit the Victory Bus Liner Terminal for updates.
We got our tickets, pick up our things, then got ourselves on the bus. Make sure that to put a cover on your bag before putting it inside the compartment or else it will get dirty. I would also suggest for you not to buy big bottles of water yet as there are a lot of 24-hour convenience stores around the bus terminal in Baguio.
Don't forget to take a groupie! To see the difference with how you look after the climb. Just don't take too long or the other passengers might give you an annoying stare since you guys are the only one they're waiting for so the bus can leave.
We left at 7 in the evening and arrived in Baguio around 3 in the morning the following day. We already booked for a ''Monster Jeepney'' (Look for Ms. Gina Epe - 09198169234) prior to our trip and the driver pick us up near the bus station. We loaded our things and went to the market to buy food and water. Mind you, 2 liters of water is not enough. Make it a minimum of 4 liters per person. Don't worry, there will be porters available to carry the water and other stuff, perhaps even you.
It was a bumpy, twisty, butt-aching, roller coaster ride! Finally, we had a stopover at an eatery for a sumptuous breakfast and a nice hot cup of coffee. We went back to the jeep and headed to the DENR Visitor's Center to register.
By the way, you have to call the DENR office (Look for Ms. Emerita Albas - 09196315402) ahead of time and inform them of the date and how many people will be going for the climb. After the registration, we attended the orientation and pay an Environmental Fee/Camp Fee of 230 pesos per person. Also, after the climb, you'll be coming back at the DENR Visitor's Center to log out. Make sure that even before the trip you have a copy of your photo with you, to place it on the ''Wall of Fame''. If you don't have one, borrow from your friends then.
And this one is the most thrilling moment in history. Nothing beats riding top load style!
We arrived at the ranger station and got ourselves 2 guides. And since we brought the entire kitchen with us (including a fridge and a microwave oven), we also hired 3 porters. When everything is set, the trek begins and our adventure continues.
As expected from a newbie, I got exhausted after fifteen minutes. I am adept when it comes to taking long walks, but carrying stuff weighing 15 kilos while doing it, is a totally different story. It sure ain't a piece of cake. Good thing our guide wasn't carrying that much so I decided to transfer some of my things in his bag and continue with the hike.
I was tired and my breathing is getting heavy, yet it somehow disappears whenever I'm welcomed by a magnificent view. My friends were very surprised knowing that it's my first time and they all burst into laughter when I told them that the only preparation I've been doing is getting a lot of sleep. I did manage to make it to the first and second camp. On the way to the third, I gave up.
Rob suggested carrying my things for me. I was hesitant at first, but I got no choice. Rather than staying at the second camp, I accepted his offer and pushed through with the hike. It became dark soon and the fog made the path more treacherous. I arrived at the third camp with a fever and Rob gave me meds and a bowl of soup. I owe him a lot for taking care of me.
Nope! There's no Starbucks in Mt. Pulag. I'm just playing with you.
But I assure you, once you're there, it would have been really awesome if there is one!
Our rendezvous point is at the Victory Liner bus Terminal in Pasay. From there, we bought our tickets going to Baguio. Here's a fare matrix for your reference:
We got our tickets, pick up our things, then got ourselves on the bus. Make sure that to put a cover on your bag before putting it inside the compartment or else it will get dirty. I would also suggest for you not to buy big bottles of water yet as there are a lot of 24-hour convenience stores around the bus terminal in Baguio.
We left at 7 in the evening and arrived in Baguio around 3 in the morning the following day. We already booked for a ''Monster Jeepney'' (Look for Ms. Gina Epe - 09198169234) prior to our trip and the driver pick us up near the bus station. We loaded our things and went to the market to buy food and water. Mind you, 2 liters of water is not enough. Make it a minimum of 4 liters per person. Don't worry, there will be porters available to carry the water and other stuff, perhaps even you.
It was a bumpy, twisty, butt-aching, roller coaster ride! Finally, we had a stopover at an eatery for a sumptuous breakfast and a nice hot cup of coffee. We went back to the jeep and headed to the DENR Visitor's Center to register.
Walking helps with the digestion!
By the way, you have to call the DENR office (Look for Ms. Emerita Albas - 09196315402) ahead of time and inform them of the date and how many people will be going for the climb. After the registration, we attended the orientation and pay an Environmental Fee/Camp Fee of 230 pesos per person. Also, after the climb, you'll be coming back at the DENR Visitor's Center to log out. Make sure that even before the trip you have a copy of your photo with you, to place it on the ''Wall of Fame''. If you don't have one, borrow from your friends then.
And this one is the most thrilling moment in history. Nothing beats riding top load style!
We arrived at the ranger station and got ourselves 2 guides. And since we brought the entire kitchen with us (including a fridge and a microwave oven), we also hired 3 porters. When everything is set, the trek begins and our adventure continues.
As expected from a newbie, I got exhausted after fifteen minutes. I am adept when it comes to taking long walks, but carrying stuff weighing 15 kilos while doing it, is a totally different story. It sure ain't a piece of cake. Good thing our guide wasn't carrying that much so I decided to transfer some of my things in his bag and continue with the hike.
I was tired and my breathing is getting heavy, yet it somehow disappears whenever I'm welcomed by a magnificent view. My friends were very surprised knowing that it's my first time and they all burst into laughter when I told them that the only preparation I've been doing is getting a lot of sleep. I did manage to make it to the first and second camp. On the way to the third, I gave up.
Rob suggested carrying my things for me. I was hesitant at first, but I got no choice. Rather than staying at the second camp, I accepted his offer and pushed through with the hike. It became dark soon and the fog made the path more treacherous. I arrived at the third camp with a fever and Rob gave me meds and a bowl of soup. I owe him a lot for taking care of me.
Looking at the photos alone is not enough. Even one of my friends mentioned that the camera can’t give justice to the astonishing view. You really should experience it yourself. Heading home, our guide, then asked us if we might have left something behind. I remembered another friend of mine replied, ‘’Yes... My heart’’. He was speaking for all of us when he said that. We all fell in love with the place and hope that you will too.
OUR GROUP'S REALISTIC AND SIMPLE ITINERARY:
I call it realistic and simple. Why? Because there's no need for me to give critical and up-to-the-minute details on how long should you eat, take photos, pick your nose and whatnot. Quit worrying and enjoy every moment of it!
Day 1
06:00 PM Rendezvous at Victory Liner
07:00 PM ETD To Baguio
Day 2
03:00 AM ETA Baguio City
03:15 AM meet-up with the Jeep beside the Victory Liner Terminal
(you may buy water from convenient stores and food supply from the Market)
04:00 AM ETD Baguio Wet Market
06:00 AM Stopover at an eatery
07:00 AM ETD eatery to the DENR Visitor's Center
08:00 AM ETA DENR Visitor's Center
08:30 AM Registration and Briefing
09:00 AM ETD DENR Visitor's Center to Ranger Station
10:00 AM ETA Ranger Station (get your guides and porters here)
10:30 AM Hell starts, I mean Hiking, Hiking starts Here
01:30 PM ETA Camp 1
03:30 PM ETA Camp 2
06:30 PM ETA Camp 3 (Set up camp, rest your tired body and enjoy your dinner)
Day 3
04:00 AM Sleep Disturbance Call
04:30 AM Start climbing up to the Summit
05:30 AM Wait for the Sunrise and Sea of Clouds
06:30 AM Start Descending to the Camp site
07:30 AM ETA Campsite (have breakfast, take photos, pack up)
09:30 AM On the Way Back to Civilization
03:00 PM ETA Ranger Station
04:00 PM ETA DENR Visitor's Center (Log-out)
04:30 PM ETD DENR Visitor's Center to Victory Liner Bus Terminal, Baguio City
07:00 PM ETA Victory Liner Bus Terminal, Baguio City
(you may have dinner at this point)
09:00 PM ETD Baguio City to Manila
Day 4
04:00 AM ETA Manila
EXPENSES WE INCURRED:
Bus Fare Manila-Baguio - 455 pesos
Bus Fare Baguio-Manila - 455 pesos
Jeepney Rental - 8,500 pesos maximum of 16 people
Environmental Fee/Camp Fee - 230 pesos
Guide Fee - 500 pesos for 5 people
Porters (2 days) - 800 pesos with a limit of 15 kilos. Plus 100 pesos/kilo in excess.
The Experience - Priceless!
TIPS AND TRICKS
I guess you guys already know the basics such as wear comfy hiking shoes with good traction, thick socks, and a bonnet and that you should bring a sleeping bag, food, water, stoves, cookware, tableware, canned goods, toiletries, trail food etc. You're no better than Einstein. What I'm about to tell you are requisites for you to survive.
1. Always check weather updates here - Mount Pulag Weather Forecast
2. Avoid high expectations to avoid disappointments - There are days when the fog is so thick, the sea of clouds are not visible (we only saw it for 10 seconds). Don't be discouraged. As they say, ''it's the journey that counts, not the destination''.
3. If you got water coming from the mountains, boil it first and, of course, wait until it gets cold before you start drinking. It's not for people with sensitive stomachs.
4. Washrooms are available at the DENR office, the ranger station and at the camps. Some of the them have no water supply so baby wipes and a hand sanitizer really comes in handy.
5. There are leeches (linta or limatik) in some area. Soaking your socks in tobacco leaves (you have to wait for it to dry before wearing, of course) and spraying mosquito repellent to your skin, your shoes or your clothes also helps prevent leeches from attaching. If you found a leech attached to you, don’t pull it off, as the mouth parts can remain under your skin and leave a slowly healing lump. You can encourage the leech to detach on its own by heating it with a lighted cigarette; just as effectively, you can apply some eucalyptus oil, mosquito repellent, alcohol or table salt. (you can read more here)
Once you have removed it, the initial blood flow will help to cleanse the wound. A bit of antiseptic and a brief pressure on the spot should take care of it.
FIGHT THE COLD
You may already be ''hot'' and sexy, but don't take the cold temperature in Mount Pulag very lightly. Mind you, it's colder than you think. Even colder than your ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend. You can force your way into someone else's tent and sleep with him/her to keep you warm, but there are other options without making any compromises.
1. Insulated Jacket - Cotton sweaters/jackets won't do. Even if you're wearing how many layers, the cold will still be seeping through. If you don't have a thick insulated jacket, a thin one over a fleece jacket will suffice and make sure you have a scarf that you can wear around your neck. No need for matching colors unless you're highly into fashion.
2. Thermal Gloves - make sure to wear gloves meant for cold and not the ones used for body scrub when you take a shower. Even the cotton ones won't do.
3. Insulated Waterproof Pants - don't just wear something to fight off cold, have a waterproof one in case it rains. It's hard to walk with a wet, sticky underwear. Might as well wear cycling shorts.
4. Insulated Bag - you're not the only one susceptible to cold. Your gadgets should be protected as well.
5. Tent - it's not allowed to make a bonfire at the camps. The tent you must have should be meant for cold and not the kind you bring on the beach on a hot summer day. Believe me. When the mist starts to thicken, what you don't want to happen is for the moist to get inside of your tent. You may bring an ordinary tent, as long as you have a thermal blanket.
WATERPROOF
1. Poncho - just buy the thin one so it won't add up to the weight unless you're wearing a waterproof jacket, then there's no need.
2. Trash Bag - it's not just a garbage container, you may improvise by using a trash bag as a protective cover when it rains. That should do the trick!
NECESSITIES
1. First Aid Kit - put it in a place easily accessible. Antiseptic, bandage and cotton are a must. You may include Alaxan, Biogesic, Bonamine, Imodium and any other medicines for allergies.
2. Headlamp/Flashlight and a Whistle - chances are you'll be hiking in the dark, and some of the paths are quite hazardous and slippery. Blow a whistle in case of emergency.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
EXPENSES WE INCURRED:
TIPS AND TRICKS
I guess you guys already know the basics such as wear comfy hiking shoes with good traction, thick socks, and a bonnet and that you should bring a sleeping bag, food, water, stoves, cookware, tableware, canned goods, toiletries, trail food etc. You're no better than Einstein. What I'm about to tell you are requisites for you to survive.
1. Always check weather updates here - Mount Pulag Weather Forecast
2. Avoid high expectations to avoid disappointments - There are days when the fog is so thick, the sea of clouds are not visible (we only saw it for 10 seconds). Don't be discouraged. As they say, ''it's the journey that counts, not the destination''.
3. If you got water coming from the mountains, boil it first and, of course, wait until it gets cold before you start drinking. It's not for people with sensitive stomachs.
4. Washrooms are available at the DENR office, the ranger station and at the camps. Some of the them have no water supply so baby wipes and a hand sanitizer really comes in handy.
5. There are leeches (linta or limatik) in some area. Soaking your socks in tobacco leaves (you have to wait for it to dry before wearing, of course) and spraying mosquito repellent to your skin, your shoes or your clothes also helps prevent leeches from attaching. If you found a leech attached to you, don’t pull it off, as the mouth parts can remain under your skin and leave a slowly healing lump. You can encourage the leech to detach on its own by heating it with a lighted cigarette; just as effectively, you can apply some eucalyptus oil, mosquito repellent, alcohol or table salt. (you can read more here)
Once you have removed it, the initial blood flow will help to cleanse the wound. A bit of antiseptic and a brief pressure on the spot should take care of it.
FIGHT THE COLD
1. Insulated Jacket - Cotton sweaters/jackets won't do. Even if you're wearing how many layers, the cold will still be seeping through. If you don't have a thick insulated jacket, a thin one over a fleece jacket will suffice and make sure you have a scarf that you can wear around your neck. No need for matching colors unless you're highly into fashion.
2. Thermal Gloves - make sure to wear gloves meant for cold and not the ones used for body scrub when you take a shower. Even the cotton ones won't do.
3. Insulated Waterproof Pants - don't just wear something to fight off cold, have a waterproof one in case it rains. It's hard to walk with a wet, sticky underwear. Might as well wear cycling shorts.
4. Insulated Bag - you're not the only one susceptible to cold. Your gadgets should be protected as well.
5. Tent - it's not allowed to make a bonfire at the camps. The tent you must have should be meant for cold and not the kind you bring on the beach on a hot summer day. Believe me. When the mist starts to thicken, what you don't want to happen is for the moist to get inside of your tent. You may bring an ordinary tent, as long as you have a thermal blanket.
WATERPROOF
1. Poncho - just buy the thin one so it won't add up to the weight unless you're wearing a waterproof jacket, then there's no need.
2. Trash Bag - it's not just a garbage container, you may improvise by using a trash bag as a protective cover when it rains. That should do the trick!
NECESSITIES
1. First Aid Kit - put it in a place easily accessible. Antiseptic, bandage and cotton are a must. You may include Alaxan, Biogesic, Bonamine, Imodium and any other medicines for allergies.
2. Headlamp/Flashlight and a Whistle - chances are you'll be hiking in the dark, and some of the paths are quite hazardous and slippery. Blow a whistle in case of emergency.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and feel free to share it. You may use the form below for questions, comments, and suggestions.
Great job Hommie! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks bro! =)
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