Conquering Mt. Pulag

My 1^st 2013 travel story is about my 1^st ever climbing experience at the highest peak in Luzon, that is, Mt. Pulag.

Located in Kabayan, Benguet, we took a bus (via Victory Liner) from Manila to Baguio for 6 hours, and then hired a jeepney going to Ambangeg. The trip to Ambangeg took us more or less 4 hours having three stopovers. 

We had our first stopover in an eatery along the way to have breakfast. Our next stop is at Ambuklao Dam, the dam that supports a hydroelectric plant in the mountains of Bokod, Benguet (Wikipedia).

And our last stop over before we head to the DENR Headquarters to register is the hanging bridge near Ambuklao Dam. 

We had to attend a 1 hour orientation/briefing at the DENR Headquarters before proceeding to the Ranger Station, which is the starting point of our Pulag climb. The travel time from DENR to the Ranger station is approximately 1 1/2 hours. Expect a really bumpy ride going there. 

At the Ranger Station, porters are available if you want to have your things carried for you. They usually charge on a per kilo basis. Restrooms are also available if you want to wash up, as well as nipa huts where you can eat before heading to the camp. 

After having our lunch, we had our group prayer and then proceed with the climb. The climb going to Summit 2, where we will camp, is approximately 4 hours. 

We reached the summit about past 5 in the afternoon. We then set up our tent and prepare dinner. On the way up, it's starting to get foggy and upon reaching the summit, it's freezing already. You really have to wear at least 5 layers of clothing while on top of the mountain cause it's seriously cold.

  

After dinner, we then call it a night to prepare for our 3:30 am wake up call the next day for another 2 hours trek going to the peak for the sunrise. But as the night gets deep, it gets colder and colder and lucky us, it even rained. A friendly reminder, don't ever underestimate the coldness on top of Mt. Pulag, we were like asking already, "Are we going to survive this?" We barely slept that night and worst, we have to get up at 3:30 am.

We started trekking at around 4:00 am the next day. We reached the peak just right in time for sunrise. The beauty on top of Mt. Pulag is priceless. You'll not regret having gone through all that long hours of walking, of not being able to sleep because it's freezing because at the peak is nature at its best.

After witnessing the amazing clouds and beautiful sunrise, we went back to the summit, had breakfast, rest a bit, fixed our stuffs and prepare to descend.

Going down is a lot more easier than going up so it took us less than 3 hours to get back to the Ranger Station. We were able to take a quick shower on the Ranger Station and then went to see the Badekbek Sulfur Spring before going to the DENR Headquarters to log out.

We had dinner along the way and arrived Baguio at around 8:30 in the evening. Our trip back to Manila is scheduled at 10:20 so we still have more than a hour to explore Baguio. We went to Session Road and Burnham Park to look for pasalubong and then went back to Victory Liner Terminal to catch our trip back to Manila.

Thanks to Ate Aryan for letting us join the group, Bong for organizing the climb and to their friends for being so nice... :)

·         Here is our itinerary:

Day 0: February 15, 2013
2030 Assembly – Victory Liner, Pasay
2130 Take bus via Baguio City

Day 1: February 16, 2013
0400 ETA Baguio City
04:30 Take chartered jeepney to Ambangeg
0900 ETA Visitors' Center / DENR
1030 Set out for Ranger Station
1130 ETA and lunch at Ranger Station
1200 Start trek
1330 ETA Camp 1
1500 ETA Camp 2
1800 Dinner at campsite / Socials
2400 Light Out

Day 2: February 17, 2013
0330 Wake Up Call
0410 Early morning trek to summit for sunrise
0530 ETA Summit
0700 Start descent from summit
0800 Back at Camp 2
1000 Start Descent
1300 Back at Ranger (Lunch / Wash)
1430 Back at Visitors' Center / DENR 
1530 Head back to Baguio City
1830 ETA Baguio City
2200 Head back to Manila

Essential Things to Bring:

1. Male - 3 litters Water (trail water not included)
   Female - 2 litters Water (trail water not included)
2. Lighter & wood matches
3. Head Lamp (w/ batteries PLEASE)
4. Trash Bags
5. Zip Lock/ Plastics
6. Bag cover
7. Jacket/ Extra Socks/ Slippers/ Sandals
8. Bonnet/ Cap/ Shades
9. Umbrella/ Raincoat / Poncho
10. Extra Shirt / Jogging Pants
11. Trail Food (jelly ace, chocolate, raisins, etc.)
12. Trail Water
13. Mini Towel
14. Warmer/ Arm Guard / Leggings
15. Insect repellent (off lotion)
16. Medicine Kit
      a. Alcohol, Betadine, Ointment
      b. Band Aid
      c. Cotton
17. Mess Kit (kainan at kapehan)
      a. Spoon & Fork 
      b. Tupperware
      c. Tumbler/ Bottled Water/ Cup
18. Kikay Kit
     a. Wet Wipes & Tissue
     b. Moisturizer / Lotion
     c. Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouth Wash
     d. Make Up, etc.
19. Camera 
20. Extra Money 
21. ID/s (w/ pix please…) – for security purposes of your bags/things
22. Tent/ Sleeping Bag

Proper attire: Jogging pants and T-shirt
Trek shoes (no wearing of slippers during trekking)
5 Layers of clothing is advisable (Camp Site)

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