Mt. Pulag - First Attempt

Up to now, I don't know what went to the minds of my friends at work why they decided to become outdoors people. After camping in Nagsasa, next thing I know we were already planning for our trip to Mt. Pulag. We initially intended to have a preclimb activity but our work schedules were so tight. With our fingers crossed, we booked our Mt. Pulag adventure.

We decided to take a trip package, as we did in Nagsasa, so we wouldn't worry about food and camping stuff. Well, most of us are first time mountain climbers so we need some help in Mt. Pulag. Note, it is the highest peak in Luzon so this is something major. So we got in touch with Nino's friend Alain to arrange our trip.

Preparation meant shopping for some gears. We needed some trekking pants, trekking shoes, big bag, sleeping bag, fleece jackets and other stuff to survive the cold weather in Pulag. I thought 3K budget each was all that we needed. It covers the package only: transportation, fees, food. Nobody mentioned it would cost more since we didn't have trekking stuff! Tina and Annie went with Keith and me to Divisoria to shop for some stuff and they said, "mas ok pang magbeach, 'di kelangan ng damit at madaming gamit!" Well, they were totally right!

So it was me, Keith, Lee, Bobby, Nino, Logan, Rodel, and Chris to Pulag. Tina wasn't able to come as she can't take a leave on her new job and Glenn hasn't been cleared yet but his doctor to go trekking. Bobby invited his cousins and their friends and that's another 10 people... Sorry didn't get all their names, too shy but we all got along.

The plan was to take the Ambangeg-Ambangeg trail. It is called the executive trail since it's the easiest. Another trail, called Akiki trail, would take climbers 3 days to reach the mountain's summit.

Our trip was on Feb22-24. Alain wasn't able to get us all in 1 bus since it was Panagbenga Festival in Baguio. Keith, Lee, Rodel and I got on the bus first. The rest took a later trip.

Panagbenga street dance was about to start when we arrived. 

The parade started in Upper Session Road, just near Victory Liner terminal. Buses were no longer allowed to drop passengers off at the terminal so we walked and walked and got confused where the rest of the gang were. Well, it actually was just me who got confused and I dragged Keith, Lee and Rodel.

Finally we saw the rest of the gang. We took a jeepney ride from Baguio to Pulag... had a stop for a quick breakfast and another stop to buy packed lunch.

Arrived in DENR station at around 11am for registration and orientation. Picture taking mode while waiting for our turn.

store near DENR office

Orientation took us about an hour. Ma'am Emerita Tamiray showed us some orientation videos and time lapse scenes in Mt. Pulag. She said that if ever we won't be able to reach the summit, at least we've seen what it's like to be there... 

Ma'am Emerita Albas

She warned us that it was raining at the summit and that we should back out and climb at another time. Of course, we didn't listen to her. It was after all sunny that day and we've been planning this for weeks.

It was drizzling when we reached the ranger station. We ate our packed lunched in one of the houses there. Locals were really nice to let visitors and adventurers like us (yes, we are) to use their homes. After lunch, we prepared our stuff, left some stuff at the ranger station so we would only carry what we needed at the summit.

ready to go!

put on my raincoat since it was drizzling a bit

The trek was easy. I had a harder time trekking in Mambucal actually. It took us about an hour to reach the first camp site. Had some time to rest and eat some treats!

Going to Camp2 was easier but longer. It took us 2 hours. There were many campers on site and we were arranged to settle in Camp2 extension, which was about 200 meters up. 

By the time we reached our campsite, it was raining hard and the wind was stronger. Our tents were already set up but our guide couldn't find them she had to ask around to check.

I thought we would be able to rest once settled in our tents. But I was wrong. After changing our clothes, we didn't dare to get out from the tent to eat. Laid our sleeping bags but since the ground wasn't flat, we kept on slipping. Tried to get some sleep but kept waking us up since rain was getting inside our tent. Our sleeping bags were soon wet and the lower part of the tent started flooding. 

Freezing was an understatement to describe how cold it was. Keith couldn't help himself from singing Anne Hathaway's version of "I Dreamed a Dream" but could only finish the first line of the song. We were like so kawawa. One of the tents got broken so some transferred to our tent. We were just there sitting, talking just a little. Waiting for the morning to come seemed forever. Time was really moving so slow. When it was bright outside, I tried going out to pee... but the wind was still strong, the rest room seems like a hundred miles to reach.

Alain brought adobo and coffee to our tent. The coffee was warm but it wasn't hot as it should be but we drank it just to add some heat to our bodies. We tried eating the adobo but we just didn't have our appetites. We packed our stuff and  went down the mountain as fast as we could.

Thankfully, the weather on the trail wasn't as harsh as on the campsite. We just went down to the ranger station as fast as we could.

it's an automatic smile whenever i see a camera

I have a confession to make. I peed on the trail. Well, not on the trail but on a cliff near the trail. Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. I've been keeping it before we even reached the camp. Again, sorry if it is TMI.

Ate local guide encouraging Lee to carry on

sandugo bros

we waited for our jeep in this house, the same one where we ate our lunch

There was a scene with the previous passengers on board the jeep that would take us back to Baguio. Good thing Keith was able to handle it well.

stopover for a photo on a hanging bridge

Well, I would say that this attempt to reach Mt. Pulag summit was a fail. We still got to experience some stuff that I might never be in again. We now have a new standard on what cold means and what it really feels like. Hopefully, the next time we'll get to see the sea of clouds at its summit and appreciate the beauty of the mountain more.