Mt. Pulag is one of the most-sought after mountains in the Philippines.
Standing 2,922 MASL, it is the highest peak in Luzon and now considered the
third (3
rd) highest mountain in the country. It is even considered
as the “Playground of the Gods” because of its unique beauty, sceneries and its
popular “Sea of clouds” view.
 |
| View from Peak 4. |
 |
| Sunrise is more fun in Pulag. |
Located within the vicinity of Bokod, Kabayan and Buguias Benguet, Tinoc
in Ifugao and Kayapa in Nueva Vizcaya, it is one of the most maintained natural
parks in the country, being the home of different flora and fauna, (from dwarf
bamboos, cloud rats, kock’s pita, etc.) and a home to some of the ethnic tribes
residing within the periphery of the mountains. The Ibaloys, Kankana-eys,
Kalanguya and Ibanags, consider the mountain as a sacred place. It is believed
that the spirits of their loved ones still resides in the mountains, and the
resting place of Gods.
We have planned to go to Mt. Pulag and scheduled our climb in time for
Valentines Day (#HugotClimb2015) not just to let our couple participants spend
a romantic date above the clouds, but also to make sure that our single
participants will have their most chilling group date with the entire group.
We left Manila at around 1:00 am (due to some delays) and arrived at
Baguio at around 7:00am. From Baguio, it is 3-4 hours drive to DENR Ambangeg
Office for registration and orientation about the mountain’s background, history
and some simple rules and regulations. Make sure you secure your medical
certificate prior to your climb, since this is now required to assure that you
are physically fit and in good medical condition to avoid problems along the
way.
 |
| Selfie with Kim, and a newfound friends- Mommy. :) |
Make sure that before you head straight to DENR, have a stopover at
Jang
Jang’s Eatery for a heavy breakfast. You can also try and experience the
hanging bridge located at the back of the eatery and do some photo ops.
 |
| From the barker/driver seat. |
 |
| Inside the monster jeep on the way to Benguet. |
 |
| Jang Jang Eatery: one of the famoust stop-overs on the way to Mt. Pulag. |
 |
| The famous hanging-bridge at the back of the eatery. *this is for free. |
 |
| Photo ops with the group. |
 |
| Precious checking out if its safe to cross the bridge. Aha! |
 |
| Halfway through the bridge. |
 |
| Just arrived at DENR Office for some orientation prior to climb. |
 |
| The power girls of the group: Kathrin, Ija, Kim, Wendy, Prex, Rizza, Karen, Kimara, Rhea and Davez. |
 |
| The hunks of the group: with Earl, David, Niko, Jhong, Daniel, Tristan, Daryl. |
 |
| The successful climbers of Mt, Pulag. You can leave your remembrance on the DENR Office Hall of Successful climbers. |
 |
| A 1-hour orientation prior to climb which will give you an overview and some rules and regulations. Please guys, don't sleep. |
 |
| DENR now giving stamps as a proof of registration. |
We arrived at the ranger station at around 3:00 pm and start setting out
our camp. There’s a little community within the station and for lunch, there
are various stores to choose from. You can also try one of their specialties:
the Okoy (made from fresh vegetables harvested on the mountains itself).
Vegetables were also sold in cheap prices way more cheaper than the price here
in Manila, as well as other last minute items: scarfs, second hand fleece and
thermal jackets, headlamps and other climb necessities.
 |
| Arrived at the ranger station. |
 |
| Vegetables are way cheaper than in Manila. Make sure to buy some: they're fresh from the mountains. |
 |
| Lovers in Pulags: my bestfriends Jonel and Kim. |
You will reach Camp 1 from the jump-off in 30-45 minutes depending on
your phasing. Along the trail, there are constant changes of temperature as you
go higher, and a different one if you’re along the mossy forest part. There are
also portions where the oxygen level drops low (according to some since they
had difficulty breathing). It is really recommended to condition yourself: even
a jogging will be a good head start to strengthen your cardio prior the climb.
We arrived at Camp 2 at around 4:00 am (almost 1 hour trek from Camp 1).
We stayed there a little longer so the others can refill their bottles from the
water source. There’s also a toilet on Camp 2. We headed straight to Peak 4
where we can have a better amazing view of the sunrise and the sea of clouds. Luckily
we made it on time (after constant breaks and stop overs).
 |
| Breaking dawn from Peak 4. |
 |
| When the sun is coming up from the horizon. The Gods are starting to play. |
 |
| With colleagues and mountain buddies Earl and Ija. Third-wheeling on Peak 4. |
 |
| With Prex, Wendy, Rizza and Daryl. |
 |
| Congrats Prex on your second summit with the group! :) |
 |
| Ija enjoying her second time in Pulag. |
After some photo ops, we headed straight to the summit. It is 30 minutes
from Peak 4, and didn’t stay for so long because the cold temperature started
to wear off. We even removed our jackets as we head off to the ranger station.
 |
| Summit picture with Batch 1: Rizza, Kim, Tristan, Daniel, Prex, Charmie, Kimara, Nikko, Rhea and Jonel. |
 |
| Summit picture with Batch 2: Charmie (again), Ija, Earl, Kathrin, David, Wendy and Jhong. |
 |
| 3rd highest point of the Philippines: 2,922 MASL. Conquering the summit. |
You will appreciate more the scenery as you go back which we missed on
the night trek heading to summit. You will have a better view of the grassland
along the trail until you reach Camp 2. It reminds me of Mt. Batulao on a
higher range.
 |
| View as we descend from the summit. |
 |
| Sea of fogs and mountains on the background. |
 |
| The temperature is quitre cold compared to grassland area. |
Summing up this experience, Mt. Pulag is one of the best mountains in
the country. Its uniqueness make this mountain stand out compared to others. It
is indeed the playground of the Gods.
Shoutout to the entire group who have shared this Valentine and Birthday
climb with me: my bestfriends Jonel, Jhong and Kim- this is a dream come true
for us. My regular climb buddies: Wendy, Charmie, Karen, Prex, Davez, Ija and
Earl for another conquered summit. And for the new found friends and new members of
the group: Kimara, Rhea, Niko, Tristan, Daryl, Daniel, David, Rizza and Kathrin.
Hope this event opened new doors for new friends and adventures. Special
shoutout to Travel Tipid Ace Modar and Rainier Mina: apir for a successful
event despite the problems along the way.
Hanggang sa uulitin! Apir! J
ITINERARY
DAY "0" Feb. 12 (FRIDAY)
10:00Pm Meet-up At Mcdonalds Panay infront of centris
10:30pm ETD to Baguio
Day "1" Feb. 13 (SATURDAY)
0500 ETA Baguio City. Breakfast then proceed to jeepney terminal/chartered jeep.
0700 Take chartered jeepney to Ambangeg.
1000 ETA Visitors' Center. Registration / Orientation
1130 Set out for Ranger Station
1230 ETA and lunch at Ranger.
1300 Start trek ( if DENR Permit ) if not Camp at Ranger Station
1430 ETA Camp 1
1600 ETA Camp 2. Set up camp
1800 Dinner at campsite; socials
Day "2" Feb. 14 ( SUNDAY )
0430 Early morning trek to summit for sunrise
0545 Arrival at summit just in time for sunrise
0700 Start descent from summit
0800 Back at Camp 2; heavy breakfast
0900 Decamp; start descent to Ranger Station
1130 Back at Ranger; Settle guide fees; jeepney descent
1230 Back at Visitors' Center; tidy up and log out
1400 Head back to Baguio City
1700 ETA Baguio City. Dinner.
2100 Head back to Manila
