Mother and child: Cordillera style
The men looking so cool
On our way to the ranger station, we met friendly Cordillerans along the way. Our jeep was stuck in a pothole and it took our driver some time to get out of it. As he was trying his best to do that, I acquianted myself with the Cordillerans who were watching us get out of our own mess. Perhaps, they have gotten used to "visitors" like us-- people from the lowland.
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We stayed at the summit for hours and decided to descend just as the other batches of climbers were starting to arrive. We still have our tent and things to fix and pack before heading to the lowland.
Since we made the assault very early in the morning and the weather was not very friendly, it was impossible for me to take photos. So, I decided to take photos during our descend wherein I could see everything even the precipice.
Descending from the summit.
Nine-year old Niel leads the pack.
A long line of climbers.
Going along the curve.
My lone tree. :-)
Taking snapshots of the rolling hills.
With the increasing number of climbers going to Mount Pulag, more trails are being estbalished occupying a portion of the grassland.
A photographer against the thick fog from the mountain.
The fog is almost gone, the temperature is rising and we're near the Ranger Station once again.
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Have a nice weekened everyone!
I don’t know who said this, but it is the best description I could summon for this entry. The closest thing I could get to heaven.
We set the alarm at 3am to have enough time to prepare for our early assault at the summit. Our aim for that day: to witness the sun ascend from the sea of clouds at the summit of Mount Pulag.
From the campsite to the summit, it would take 2 hours or less. When we woke up that early morning, the weather was not encouraging. It was raining, foggy, and chilly. My hands and my feet were all numb as we were making the assault. The combination of rain, cold wind, and thick fog surging on my face, made me feel frozen all the more.
In less than 2 hours, our group reached the summit. Ah, finally!
The temperature at the summit was colder than what I have expected. Since it was still dark and raining, I hid among the bushes just to moderate the surging of the cold wind and the mist. It was less than 5 degree Celsius at the summit and I could not feel my face anymore. My gloves and my shoes were useless as they were soaking wet.
A few minutes after, miraculously the rain stopped and the sun was peeking from the cottony clouds. It was a momentous day for me. The sun dance worked!
Below is a photo essay of my experience at the summit. :-D
SUNRISE, FINALLY. Oki was happy to witness the sun rising from the thick clouds. She was the first person who suggested that we all do the sun dance (ala Sarah Geronimo). She believed something will come out of it and we all succeeded in convincing the god and goddess of the mountains that we deserve such nature's splendor. It was fun.
THREE GENTLEMEN. Fellow climbers who were with us during the early assault. They were the first three who went to the other side of the hill to witness the sun rising. They brought with them tripod.
WILLIE RISING. Around this time, the sun was up and the cold weather was at a tolerable level. Members of our group were starting to disperse, positioning in every hill to stand and take every photo opportunity. I sure did position myself, strategically. For awhile, I felt that the hills were mine!
GREEN, LUSH ROLLS. This could be the back of a huge monster. It is a rolling hills from where I stood. The thick clouds are slowly dispersing as the sun reaches its peak.
BROWN ROLLS. This is the same grassland. It changed colors as the sky cleared up. There was no sign of the rain, but the dews were there...shimmering under the rays of the sun.
STEALING BEAUTY. Fellow photographers and nature enthusiasts trying to capture the beauty they were witnessing. How could you not? This is the closest place to heaven. God could be wondering about the noise down there and opt to take a peak at us.
SOLITUDE. A fellow climber who was enjoying the moment.
CONTRASTING COLORS. The sun was up, the spread of light was just stunning. The grassland turned yellowish, the best contrast against the blue, clear sky.
SAVORING THE SUN. I've missed the sun that day. The cold was enduring but feeling the sun once again was just a breath of life. I was enjoying this moment.
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I am taking each moment as it comes. I try to change what I think is wrong and learn from my own mistakes and misapprehensions. I cannot change everything, but I am trying to do something. Did I ever tell you I am the most amiss person?
But if there’s one thing I truly learned from this experience, it is trying NOT to miss on that “little moment” in my life --feeling the sun on my face, smelling the grass, touching the dew after the rain, enduring a freezing weather, and smiling back at you every time you give me the coldest “hi”.
Start of the hike going to Mount Pulag
Our group was the first batch to arrive at the Badabak Ranger Station, the jump-off point to Mount Pulag. After arranging all our backpacks, we got ourselves ready for the long hike. We were met by our guide, Andrew. He doesn’t talk much but he sure knows how to lead our pack traversing the patchy trail with such an ease. Most of us at the pack would shout: "Manong Andrew, antayin mo kami!" (please wait for us!)Andrew, our guide
We were informed that from the Ranger Station to Campsite 2, it would take around 3-4 hours depending on the phase of the climbers. We arrived at the Ranger Sstation around 11 am so we’d probably reach Camp 2 before three in the afternoon. I immediately assumed the 4-hour hike since I would be taking photos along the way.
Start of the trail passing through the green, lush vegetation
Passing through tall pine trees
From the station, the trail was easy. Definitely much easier than the Summit Trail to Mount Kinabalu, which I fondly dubbed as the “distressing stairways to heaven”. We passed by wide trails that even small vehicles could pass through. The smell of pine tree was a refreshing boost. One of the best perks of mountain climbing is enjoying the lush, green vegetation and the picturesque landscape.
Signs along the trail
Along the way, we found signs and markings to constantly remind climbers on how to respect the mountain. There were also markings for the nearest water source.
Oki is improvising, hehe (She was just joking around of course)
Around 2:30 pm, we reached Camp 2, the saddle campsite. Camp 2 is the most preferred campsite among climbers due to some of its “amenities”—wide and flat camping area, latrines, and close water source. But since this camp is the closest to the summit, the temperature is freezing cold. When we got to the camp it was around 5-6 degrees C. Well for someone like me who hates the cold weather, my hands and feet got numb at an instant. Brrrrr.
Darn, the weather was just freezing cold!
Aside from the thick fog, it was raining when we got to Camp 2. The good thing about getting into the campsite first was that we get to scout for the most convenient spot ahead of the other groups. We built our tent inside a shed, just a few steps away from the open campsite. The weather is manageable there. Some of our fellow hikers went there to cook their dinner.
Fellow climbers cooking a sumptous dinner
Since it was foggy and the weather was quite unpredictable, we postponed our initial plan of going to the summit for the sunset. It was raining anyway. We opted to take the assault very early in the morning hoping and wishing that the gods and goddess of the mountains would let us witness the sunrise amidst the snub weather.
Father and son, Noli and Niel (9 years old, the youngest climber in the group)
The campsite
We went early to bed to get ready for the early morning assault to the summit.
Will we ever see the sunrise?
Registration of participants at the terminal of the Victory Liner in Pasay
So when Oki and I heard about pinoymountaineer’s Pulag Charity Climb we did not hesitate in joining. Immediately, we signed up. Oki is a frequent reader of Gideon’s blog so she practically knows the drill. Another come-on to this climb is that it will support charitable endeavors from donating medicines to the Kalanguya tribes in Mt. Pulag to helping improve the conditions in PGH Pediatric Wards.The mighty jeepney that brought us to Kabayan, Benguet
Registration was held at the terminal of the Victory Liner in Pasay—the rendezvous for all the climbers. I was informed that there were 80 participants. Through a chartered bus, we left in batches going to Baguio City (6-hour trip). Early birds get to register and sit on the bus ahead of time.
The curvy road going to Ambuklao
In Baguio, there were jeepneys waiting for us going to Ambuklao. We signed up for the first batch to go. The group of Gideon rode with us. It was less than 4-hour trip from Baguio to Ambangeg, Bokod which is located at the based of the Mount Pulag. Off-road we passed by Ambuklao Dam, the biggest rock filled dam in Asia. The main source of water comes from the Agno River, the longest waterway in the Luzon. We stopped by an eatery to have our breakfast-lunch before heading to the DENR office.
We passed by Ambuklao Dam
Pass bridge
We registered and secured our permit at the Mt. Pulag National Park Protected Area Office in Ambangeg. All climbers were required to undergo an orientation/briefing at the visitor's center/protected area office. Facilitating the orientation was Emerita "Mering" Basco Albas, protected area superintendent .
PAWB advisory for all climbers
DENR Information Office
Ms. Mering briefing the climbers after watching a video presentation
After the video presentation and an orientation of the DOs and DON’Ts, we headed to the Ranger Station—the jump-off point to Mount Pulag. On our way to the station, our jeepney got stuck in deep potholes that the driver had to try several times to rev up the engine.
Inside the jeep going to the Ranger Station, Oki looking at the camera
Alas, we reached the Ranger Station
Another mountain conquered! This time, it's Mount Pulag located in between the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya. Standing at 2922 meters above sea level (MASL), it is the highest peak in the island of Luzon and third in the whole of Philippines, next to Mount Dulang-Dulang (2938 MASL) in Bukidnon and Mount Apo (2956 MASL) in Davao and North Cotabato.
This adventure would have not been possible without the help of Gideon's groups, Pinoymountaineer and Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity that organized this open climb event, dubbed as the Pulag Charity Climb.
I will write a series of this adventure in the coming posts and some of the great people we've met along the course of the long, muddy, misty trail to the summit. I would also want to personally give a million thanks to Ellaine of UP Mountaineer for all the helps and the tips on how to survive Mount Pulag and hypothermia, including the equipment she lended to us. :-)
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