Climbing Mt. Pulag

"It's very important in life that we keep on challenging ourselves. It is very important to keep on adding value to ourselves. It's very important to keep on sharpening the saw. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. "

It was the fifth of December last year when Sweet Pea and I endeavored  to climb the highest mountain in Luzon. We saved our allowances for a month and joined Travel Factor for an expedition of a lifetime.

Major jump-off: Ambangeg, Kabayan, Benguet

Level and days required: Level 3, 3-5 days
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 3

Mt. Pulag is the second highest mountain in the Philippines, the highest being Mt. Apo. It is considered to be the playground of the gods.

Preparing our backpacks with mountaineering essentials, tent, food, camping gear...

 

Meet up at a certain bus station in Cubao. Destination... Baguio.

In Baguio, a chartered jeep was waiting for us to bring us to the  Ranger Station, another three hour journey in winding roads of the mountain province.

In the DENR Protected Area Station, climbers get to be oriented on the history of Mt. Pulag, the do's and don'ts, and what to do in times of emergencies.

If you get to the summit of Mt. Pulag, you get to leave something at the "memory lane" corner of the ranger station. The Ranger Station is another three hours of uphill rough roads from the DENR Protected Area Office...

The trek begins.

Camp two. Setting up our tent.

Off to the peak! Checking on our night gears. We have to trek at night to get to the peak before sun rise. At this point, we had very little clue what to expect.

It was extremely cold. There was literally ice on our wet jackets. It was -3 degrees and I am not kidding you.

Summit oh yes, 1.5 KM nalang! wooohoo..

We are very thankful to Chips Delight. We don't know what it is made out of,  but it gave us the extra boost we needed. Hungry, tired, sleepy... Chips Delight saved us. We would not have made it without Chips Delight. Only Chips Delight will do! Now, Chips Delight send us more of that stuff! :)

Tay, Ma, Ryan (my brother) Anje (my sister) WE MADE IT at the TOP of Mt. Pulag! This climb is dedicated to my family.

Finally, we reached the peak before sun rise.  Here you see, the sun is about to rise above the clouds. It an astonishing sight.

There there... breath-taking. This is life. I live for this kind of things - the beauty and drama. Of course you have to make sacrifices if you want to reach the top. More than 14 hours of travel time by bus, jeep, and by foot is no-joke.

This is my favorite photo. I didn't even know I have taken this very unique pic until I've reviewed my photo folder again days after.

Look at the clouds. We are above the clouds, like a sea of cotton candy. I fancy swimming/flying in there!

The trail back to camp was still astounding! I never expected the  grassland trail to be golden as this.

As a proof you made it to the summit, you get to leave your picture at the Ranger station's memory lane.

Bucket List:
1. Climb a mountain.-DONE!
2. xxx