I've been climbing mountains for the past few years. During the early years, I have climbed those with warm climates. A self-confessed cold weather hater, I love trekking under the sun and sleeping inside a tent with warm breeze coming from outside. After I've experienced the drench and the coldness of Mt. Apo, the dreadful time has come. It was summer when I first climbed Mount Pulag. I did it because I knew it won't be as cold as the weather from December to February. I wasn't feeling well at that time, but through the encouragement of some friends, the Ambangeg-Ambangeg trail they said, will be easy enough for me to trek.
From Cubao, we rode a Victory Liner Bus to Baguio. We arrived early so we passed time outside a nearby convenient store for a hot strawberry-flavored Taho. Then we rode a jeepney to have breakfast at a carinderia (a place where you can eat readily cooked food) in Bokod. It was still early, so we took a nap through the winding Ambuklao Road. Travelling to Benguet and the nearby provinces for the past months, roads were either being built or repaired.
We arrived early at the DENR Office, where briefing and film showings are held on what to expect and the "do's and dont's" while inside the national park. Then, we were off to start our journey to Luzon's highest mountain and the 3rd highest mountain in the country standing at 2,922 meters above sea level. The tribes of Ibanag, Kankana-ey, Ibaloi, and Kalanguya consider it as a sacred place where they bury the dead and the resting place of gods.
I got to experience camping on Saddle Camp and a trek up to the summit early in the morning. It was a starry night and the breeze outside our tent was so cold that the socials were cut short.
The mountain was amazing both during the evening and especially on a sunny day. The flora and fauna of the place are well-maintained until now. I wish I could have seen a cloud rat during my trek.
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Orientation at the DENR Office.
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Preparing for sunrise. Dwarf bamboos everywhere!
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| The Saddle Camp |
NOVEMBER
My November climb was different. It was raining heavily from the start of the trek at the Ranger Station, during pitching tents, and until the dawn the following morning. The Low Pressure Area was at the provinces of Benguet and Ifugao, and soon may form into a storm, according to the weather bureau. We weren't able to reach the Saddle Camp, but stayed at Camp 2 due to thick fog along the trail. Camp 2 has it all. There are latrines and water sources there. It's a 4-hour trek from Ranger Station up to Camp 2. You will pass by Camp 1 during the trek where there are latrines and a water source too.
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| Early morning at the summit. |
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| Searching for the 'Sea of Clouds'. |
JANUARY
The 'Sea of Clouds' starts at this month. Everybody is frantic to climb Mt. Pulag from different trails just to look, take pictures, and to experience this God-given phenomenon. However, during the months of January until March, the temperature at the mountain may drop at o°C where dew turns into icicles. The summit may be reached for 2 hours from Camp 2. The trail is a grassland where there are dwarf bamboos. That evening, we experienced 7°C inside the tent and 2°C outside. Though there were stars in the early evening, it became cloudy and wet the rest of the night. You may want to acclimatize before climbing this mountain.
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| At play on the field of gods. |
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| Local guides welcoming the sunrise at the Saddle Camp. |
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The wild flowers of Pulag.
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| The mossy forest of Pulag between Ranger Station and Camp 2. |
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| Summer at Mt. Pulag. |
Never underestimate a mountain, especially Mount Pulag. The weather changes erratically throughout the journey. The sun can be nasty hot in the afternoon. The night can be cold and windy, if not wet and foggy. Be prepared to bring along your armor to defend you from the cold weather. You may want to acclimatize before climbing this mountain.
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Sidetrip at Jangjang-Balengasay Hanging Bridge.
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| Sidetrip at Ambuklao Dam. |
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