Climbing mountains has always been fascinating and daunting. Why go through the trouble to see the sunrise when you can take the elevator to the highest building or simply drive to the nearby beach? It's due to human's craving for accomplishment and satisfaction. However, climbing mountains goes deeper than that; it intertwines with the love of nature and the love of taking on a challenge. Getting what you want and reaching your goal gives you an intense feeling of euphoria. It's like reaching school in time before the gates close or being able to copy your seatmate's answer without getting caught- this I can totally relate to as it is mine. For some people, it might be getting high scores on a test without even studying or graduating with honors, where you find yourself lost in words in that certain second on stage. This is just a part of that feeling when you reach the summit. Mix it up with fatigue, and high volumes of happiness, and there you go, addiction to mountaineering. Let's go!
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Mountain Memories
I've had this urge to climb mountains way back in 2013 after I did my first hike at Osmeña Peak, which is considered the highest Peak in Cebu, Philippines. The rest followed:
- Mount Manunggal in Cebu, Mount Batur in Indonesia,
- Gunung Gombak in Johor Bahru, Malaysia,
- Gunung Jasar in Cameron Highlands, and
- Mount Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia,
- Mount Hallasan in South Korea, and
- Mount Seoraksan in South Korea,
- And for this trip, Mount Pulag and Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines.
Packing for these trips was a challenge as we were carrying our bags on our shoulders most of the time. I wanted my bag to be as lightweight as possible. Here are a few things I've packed for the trip. I needed to prepare clothes for two hikes: Mt. Pulag and Mt. Pinatubo, and winter wear for the summit climb.
Read more: Mt. Pinatubo Itinerary
Things to Bring for the Hike: (5 days, 4 nights)
- Motto: Travel light. Less is More.
- Top (2 dri-fit shirts, 3-5 sleeveless tops) - I ended up buying one top for the last day.
- 2 Compression leggings - I washed one of them, which I used for the last day.
- 1 Jogging Shorts
- 1 Windbreaker Jacket with Fleece -Temperature at the summit drops up to 2 degrees. Better come prepared.
- 1 Heatech top and leggings (optional)
- 2 Poncho - The weather is unpredictable in the mountains.
- 1 Waterproof Trekking Pants
- 3 Extra Hiking socks - Choose thick and breathable hiking socks.
- Trekking Shoes - I prefer hi-cut shoes for good support.
- Slippers -Life-saver after a long hike.
- Waterproof Gloves
- A Bonnet, Neck scarf - Buy those outdoor neck scarves which are multipurpose: as you can use them as a face mask against the wind during the summit climb, a neck warmer, or even as a headgear and sweat absorber.
- Small hiking bag - I've purposely brought it with me for my camera and to pack my snacks, first aid, whistle, jacket, gloves, and bonnet during the descent as it gets warmer in the morning.
- Plastic bags - For soiled clothing after the hike.
- Sleeping bag (optional)
- Large Garbage bags (at least 2 pcs) - This comes in handy when it rains, as it serves as a bag cover and, more importantly, as a mat you can sit on at the summit, at the same time, to collect your trash.
- Headlamp plus extra batteries - Test it again and again, or you'll end up like me, using my phone light while hiking in the dark.
- Personal whistle - Hook this up with you all throughout the climb. A necessity for climbers, emergency situations happen when you least expect them.
- First Aid Kit (bandage, plaster, alcohol swabs, antibacterial ointment/betadine, vomiting meds, paracetamol)- A must-bring for everyone. Be a responsible climber)
- Tissue Paper (wet and dry)
- Mess kit (plate/container bowl, camper utensils) - The tour group can provide this.
- Water bottle (at least 3 liters for those with sensitive tummies; if not, then a 1-2 liter container will do, which is easily refillable with cool, fresh, and clean mountain water)
- Personal Trail food (candies, chocolates, cookies)
- Camera - Pack lots of silica gel to absorb moisture. I've also placed it inside the corners of my bag. These are camper's life hacks I'm graciously sharing with everyone as it really works big time.
- Powerbank - There's no electricity in the base camp, welcome to the outdoor life!
- Passport, Ticket, Visa, COE (for OFW)
- Shades - This is a must-have as it hides tired eyes and is a great sleeping tool.
- Toothbrush, Cotton buds
- Sunblock, Toothpaste, Shampoo, Soap - Distribute these among your gang, which we always do with my climbing buddies. Maybe leave the shampoo and soap in the hands of your hotel service. Besides, a sachet of shampoo is always on hand in all Sari-Sari stores(Convenient stores) in the Philippines.
- Underwear - I prefer a sports bra as it is a climbing trip. Avoid cotton for the undies.
- Two-piece Bikini - I would never leave without these babies. We planned on pampering ourselves at a Spa resort in Antipolo after all our climbing.
Mount Pulag
Mount Pulag stands 2,922 metres above sea level and is located between the border provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya. A few years ago, it was the second-highest mountain next to Mt. Apo in Davao; however, according to the new standing, it is officially the third-highest mountain in the Philippines. We have booked a travel operator for our climb, which will not be mentioned in all my blog posts due to the bad service rendered.
Climb Package Details
- Departure Date/Time: April 29 - 10:30 pm
- Assembly place: Victory Liner, Pasay
- No. of participants: 4 pax
- Package Rates: 2,750 PHP/pax (Manila-Baguio-Manila) / 2,300 PHP/pax (Baguio-Pulag only)
Package Inclusions:
- Round-trip bus fare (Manila-Baguio-Manila) or one-way fare Manila-Baguio, depending on the package.
- Jeep Rental (Baguio- ranger station-Baguio)
- Service of Tour Coordinator
- Conservation fees
- Tour guide fee
- Entrance fees and Permits
- TENT: 450 PHP/tent (2-3pax) or 650 php/tent (4-5pax)
- Sleeping Bags: 200 PHP /bag
- Additional: 300 PHP/person (2 lunch and 1 dinner)
- Porter Fee: 600 PHP
Climb Itinerary
April 29, Day 00 - Friday
- 0900pm ETD Victory Liner Pasay (bus delay change to 10:30 pm)
- Travel time: 4-5 hours
April 30, Day 01 - Saturday
- 0200am ETA Baguio arrange jeep
- 0500am ETA kabayan *Breakfast
- 0730am Briefing
- 0900am ETD DENR to Ranger station
- 1100am ETA Ranger Campsite
- Set camp free time to explore the ranger campsite
May 1, Day 02 - Sunday
- 0100am ETD Ranger to summit
- 0500am ETA Summit
- 0900am ETA Ranger
- Breakcamp
- 0100pm ETA DENR *Lunch
- 04.00pm ETA Baguio (Baguio to Tarlac Bus Fare: 250 PHP)
Bus Ride from Manila to Baguio
The bus took off around 10:30 pm from Manila, thus arriving at 5 in the morning the following day in Baguio. The words that woke me up that day were from this guy shouting Strawberry Taho. My senses were brought to life after sleeping on the bus for hours. But then it's not advisable to have some soy milk early in the morning, especially for someone who is lactose intolerant, just in the morning, and embarking on a climbing expedition. I like the sound of the word 'expedition', though it doesn't fit the climb we're partaking in. I let it go, which is something I shouldn't have done.
Watch What You Eat
They said once you bump into something good, get it and have it. Anyway, it's not really a bad call, I knew that, but my craving was pushing me to go for it. I can't afford a serious toilet break-up in the mountains. The bus dropped us off at a certain point where a van was waiting to take us to the basecamp. We went for breakfast and had our orientation in the DENR office.
My friends and I were prepared for a serious hike that day, little did we know we were heading to the basecamp by van. The tour coordinator mentioned two hikes. We didn't know we were literally going to the basecamp, so it turns out we only have one hike, and that's the summit climb. I was really disappointed. A part of it is my fault; I chose the easy route, which is the Abangeg Trail. I inquired about the Akiki Trail, but I don't know for what reason they've given that I settled for the other trail. It was still a good thing as we still had the energy after Mt. Pulag to make it for our Mt. Pinatubo hike.
Basecamp Arrival
We arrived at 4 in the afternoon at the base camp, everyone set up camp right away except for us, as the tour coordinator had left our tents and sleeping bags. Good thing we were close to a Homestay where the owner allowed us to rest comfortably in their veranda. The rain poured that afternoon, and we were close to saying yes to the Homestay owner, yet the call of adventure outdoors remained in our hearts. I love setting up camp; the poles, the hooks, and the zipper excite me in some way. Dinner was served by candlelight in the Homestay, as electricity doesn't reach this part of the mountain. The tour coordinator somewhat convinced the Homestay owner to prepare our meals along with their guest. I wanted to eat outdoors. Despite being deprived of eating out in the tent, the food served was delicious; we had chicken adobo and pork sinigang for dinner. As early as 9 in the evening, we were inside our tent, dozing off to dreamland.
Ultimate Hiking Buddy
My friend and I did some funny, horror stunts before turning our backs to the cold earth. I'm blessed to have a friend who's funny, down-to-earth, generous, and understanding in so many ways. Once you find that friend who's willing to put up with all your crap, literally, those stupid things you do and say keep him/her close to you. There's only one needle in the haystack, but it's hard to find a needle in a haystack. The guide told us the wake-up call is around 12:30, yet we were woken up as early as 11:30 in the evening.
Early Morning Hike
The hike in the early cold morning is not tiring, it's intoxicating. Adrenaline for adventure stirs up inside you, and not knowing the path ahead gives the thrill of excitement. I walked with a smile plastered on my face until my headlamp stopped working 30 minutes later than when we started. As they say during live shows on TV, having technical difficulties 'the show must go on.' Good thing my iPhone was fully charged. This phone has seriously never let me down; it showed me the way till we reached the summit at 4 in the morning. It even helped me get through my first full marathon; the music and distance tracker played for 6 hours straight during the run. Even though I triple-check my headlamp, who would have known what happens in the hike, so it is better to equip yourself with a backup plan.
Spare Batteries
Lesson learned: Next time, never leave a handy flashlight when hiking. I continued the hike with my camera in hand till we reached the top. The trail along the way was dark yet calm, with a glimpse of the moonlight in the sky. We arrived an hour early before sunrise; we sat down, ate our snacks, and faced each other while shivering in the cold. This is the time when your appreciation for friendship goes to the full level.
First Morning Light
As I saw the first rays of the sun, I stood in awe once again at its magnificent beauty; sunrise up in the mountains is always momentous in my eyes. It's like seeing heaven's door open for everyone to see, a mere peek-a-boo session with God to show us what's in store for us if we're kind and generous here on earth. I stared at the sunrise as it positioned itself on the horizon, then my friends kept pulling me for a group picture along with the other climbers we'd met. I almost lost it there. I strongly believe this is one of those moments in your life that you have to stand and stay still- that's just me and my opinion.
Inside My head
Talking about what goes inside my mind, here's another thought: Sometimes I have a feeling I was born an eagle in my past life, which explains why I love to wander, or maybe a turtle due to my patience and positivity no matter how bad things go wrong, perhaps I'm part of the ocean or the sky team because I'm so in love with the sun.
Summit Climb
Surprisingly, the crowd wasn't that bad; I guess the control committee implemented just months ago was a success. The rangers noticed the abuse we've done to the mountain, now they're strict with the number of hikers each day. We have to respect and preserve the mountain's grandeur and beauty. More people reached the summit after sunrise, a good sign for us to descend the mountain. It was already past 6 am when we left, then went to a waiting shed for breakfast and back to basecamp. Along the way, we played like little kids, rolled over to a small hill, lay down on a bed of long grass, and ridiculously crawled our way back to the highland. At the end of the climb, we meet a mother along with her four kids selling ice candy and coconut juice, a nice treat to officially end the climb.
The Mt. Pulag climb was successful, and by 5 pm, we had already taken a van to Tarlac City to meet a friend of mine for dinner. While my friend's sister took the bus back to Manila along with fellow climbers in our group. Next on our itinerary is Mt. Pinatubo, a famous active volcano located between the provinces of Tarlac and Zambales.
Have fun and be safe ^__^
When you're missing home, this Philippines Notebook brings back cherished memories, filling the gaps with warmth and comfort. Check out Flying Starfish Studios for unique journals, notebooks, and planners.
Do you want more adventure?
Where am I going next?
- If you still have one more day to spare, visit an active volcano and do a Day hike to Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines.
Where am I going next?
- My next adventure is to Bangkok, Thailand, for a one-week foodventure.
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