Climb Date: May 14-15, 2011
Mt. Pulag (Ambangeg-Ambangeg)
Bokod, Benguet
Major jump-off: Ambangeg Ranger Stn, Bokod, Benguet
LLA: 16°34'58"N 120°53'15"E, 2922 MASL (#3)
Hours to summit / Days required: 4-5 hours / 2 days
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2
Source: Pinoy Mountaineer
Through winding slopes and rolling hills, I can now see the trail clearly from where we were. After trekking for half an hour, walking in pitch black with the trail lit faintly by my headlamp, the sky is now starting to glow. Peeking on my right is a burst of warm hues of orange, yellow and red, slowly pushing away the darkness of the previous night. It was 5:00 am, and we were about 30 minutes away from the peak at 2,922 meters above sea level (MASL).
As we excitedly took the final steps to the summit, the majesty of the view gradually revealed itself. Then, finally standing on top, there it was -- the fabled sunrise at Mt. Pulag. The most amazing, most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen!
Journey to Mt. Pulag
We joined the public group tour of
TRIPinas, the same trip organizer that we got for our
Mt. Pinatubo trek. We left Manila for Baguio on Friday night, taking the 2200H Victory Liner bus. We had to spend the night on the bus, so we made sure to have a good sleep -- we need all the energy for the climb. We got to Baguio at around 0400H, then boarded the monster jeepney which was our ride to Kabayan, Benguet.
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| Called the "monster jeepney," it can negotiate through rough terrain better than your average 4x4! |
We stopped by Pinkan Jo (a small roadside restaurant) for breakfast and to pick up our lunch. After the paved road, there begins the negotiation with the winding rocky road. No, not the fancy, delicious kind. This one made me bump my head several times, and just generally shook our body for about 3 hours. Literally.
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| the winding rocky road |
Everyone hiking at Mt. Pulag is required to register at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Here a 30-minute orientation is done to ensure that everyone is aware of the do's and don't's, the conservation efforts and the things to expect.
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| DENR office |
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| memorabilia left by fellow mountaineers |
After the orientation, we were back on the winding rocky road again, this time heading to the Ranger Station.
The Ranger Station is the home of the local guides and porters. This is where the actual climb is arranged, and all climbing groups are assigned 1 guide for every 10 persons.
Ambangeg-Ambangeg Trail
The trail starts with a wide road, leading up to the pine forest. Mossy forest follows thereafter, showcasing beautifully shaped trees and colorful berries. The trail to Camp 1 is a little steep, challenging the lungs with the change in altitude and thinning air.
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| vegetative cover of Mount Pulag, illustrated (DENR office) |
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| beautiful scenery while on the wide trail |
We stopped at Camp 1 to have our lunch. It was a welcome rest after the first leg of the trail. Moving forward, it was quite a breezy hike for about 3 hours to Camp 2 amidst the mossy forest. I was carrying a 15-kilo (33 lbs.) Deuter ACT Lite 45+10 SL pack, and more than halfway through the hike, I just couldn't move with the same pace anymore. One of our mountaineer colleagues offered to exchange his small pack with mine, and it was refreshing to walk again with a lighter load.
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| Camp 1 |
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| hut at Camp 1, where you can take your lunch or have a welcome break |
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| continuation of trail from Camp 1 |
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| mossy forest |
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| tree that grows horizontally from the cliff |
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| yep, that's still the horizontal tree |
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| giant fern |
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| This means you're already very near Camp 2! |
Reaching Camp 2, we found our spot to pitch our tent. Good thing I practiced pitching it a week before, as the dark clouds started threatening us with rain.
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| my Conquer Micra Tent |
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| lovely view of the sky from my tent |
One place I had to find was the latrine. This is where you do your toilet business. A deep hole was dug, covered with "steps" (a few slabs of wood to secure your position while using it, squatting) and contained in a nipa hut.
After a cup of hot chocolate, we decided to trek to the grasslands for a good sunset view.
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| sun is starting to set in the background |
It started getting chilly as the sun was going down. We trekked to the tower (well, we technically didn't get there anymore as the clouds were starting to cover the view as we were on the last hill), and this is the sunset that we waited for:
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| This photo reminds me of The Lion King movie. |
Camp at Night
After a nice, warm dinner of sinigang, and at 13 degrees, we decided to hie off to our tents for warmth. It was getting cold, and I was wearing two jackets, fleece gloves and a bonnet. Then at about 1930H, heavy rains started pouring! It went on for about 30 minutes and I was lucky that my new Conquer Micra Tent held up well against the heavy downpour.
As the night was long and cold, I woke up every hour, checking the time and temperature. I was also in dire need of a loo visit but it's a few steps away and it's totally dark so I had to hold it in my bladder.
Sunrise at 2,922 MASL (highest peak in Luzon, 3rd in the Philippines)
At 0300H, we were up to prepare for the assault. I was in awe when I opened my tent -- there was the black sky, glittered with thousands of twinkling stars! This is a sight I would never see in the city! And it was chilly outside the tent as well:
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| 10.2 degrees, 0338H |
We started trekking to the summit at 0400H. And at 0500H, we were marveling at the beauty of nature, thanking God for allowing us to witness a beauty that beholds everyone. As the sun rises over the sea of clouds, I was silent. I wanted to take everything in, but no camera will ever freeze the moment as I see it. The view was so surreal, so heavenly, so magnificent. No wonder Mt. Pulag is called the playground of the gods.
Here's the view on the other side -- equally stunning!
And here's the temperature reading!
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| 9.1 degrees at 0512H |
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| 7.4 degrees at 0529H |
Here's the group whom I shared the beauty of the sunrise with:
Going back to Camp 2, we passed by this lone tree along the way. Must be very lonely at the top! (It's the only tree there, the rest of the mountains is covered with dwarf bamboos which makes it looks like rolling grasslands.)
Just another awesome view on our way down:
Break Camp
After having breakfast back at the camp, we started preparing for our trek down. And here's our group, before heading back to the Ranger Station:
It was a truly rewarding experience to see such beauty. It made me realize how amazingly beautiful and naturally blessed our country is. One can never get enough of the fabled Pulag sunrise, and so we vow to come back some time -- and on that next journey, we will take the harder trail, Akiki, also called as the "killer trail" by some mountaineers!
See Also:
What's In My Pulag Pack?
Join The BRATpacker