Beauty of Mt.Pulag

MT.PULAG (Ambangeg Trail) Ambangeg,
Kabayan, Benguet
February 27-March 02 (2009)

I met this young boy named (Mr.Wakeke), here in my new work who presented me again to this outdoor adventure which is mountain trekking and climbing. We had our first climb last February 14 in Mt.Pundaquit going to our main destination, Anawangin Cove. Four of us trek and climb the designated trails in the area which took us five (5) hours including picture taking and rest. This was really a pre-climb to our scheduled Mt.Pulag escalade in Benguet.

We will be joining Mr.Wakeke’s group called AIM (Akyat IT Mountaineers), total of 18 participants registered.

Our itinerary will start in Victory Liner bus terminal in Cubao, our departure is at 8:50 PM (February 27) going to Baguio. The bus had its normal stop-over in Tarlac and Sison Pangasinan. Around 3 AM (February 28), we are in Caltex Baguio near the terminal. We will wait our jeepney ride going to Ambangeg. Before taking off, we had our breakfast in Chowking-Session Road.

We will take Ambuklao road going further high in the mountains, in every trip there is a stop-over intended for stretching, bathroom break and especially bath time for the vehicle’s radiator, the place is Pinkan Jo Eatery. We are the area around 6:45 AM. After that, our driver stop on the Ambuklao view deck seeing afar te photographic dam, scenic photos were taken here and along the way also towards DENR field office. We reached the office at around 8:00 AM

Every visitor to the mountain is required to register and hear an orientation from the ever funny and lively lady superintendent Ms. Emirita Tamiray (or simply Ate Mereng). Please don’t sleep during the orientation or she will call your attention and do some spontaneous stand-up. First thing, is you will watch a pre-set movie about the rules and regulation in Mt. Pulag National Park. Next is the continuation of the movie which now is her turn to present the beauty of the place.

After listening to the energetic woman, we are set to a one-hour of rough road going to the Badabak Ranger station which 10kms away. You will wonder, 10km for 1-hour…hmmm. That is so true; we just experienced a punishing pace of jolty ride. I was looking at the driver; he was just cool, same with his 4x4 jeepney.

We had our early lunch in Ranger station, bringing out our to-go from Chowking. At 12:00 NN, we started our ascend going to designated camp which is Camp 2.. From this sign, you will see that the peak is 7.5 km away. It took 90 minutes to reach Camp1 where we had our rest and bathroom break. We reached Camp 2 at around 4:00 PM.

The team prepared for an early dinner since they intend to cut the lights at 8:00 PM. Cold mist and winds will welcome you in the site. It was really cold that day. We had experienced seven (7) degrees that night.

At 3:00 AM, all now are preparing for the morning assault to the summit. All are ready equipped with headlamps and flashlights, we started our assault 4:00 AM. We reached the summit at around 5:45 AM, just in time for the sunrise. We were really thankful for the beautiful weather that day. At the summit, you will see the grandest view of what is beneath the mountain, I was really amazed of the place they call “Grasslands”; it is the pathway going to the peak. You will indeed experience a walk in the clouds; And you are virtually touching the clouds. At the top, you have 360 degrees panoramic view of the whole Cordillera Mountains. The experience seeing a sunrise from the peak of the mountain and above the clouds is just awesome.

At 6:30 AM, the descent started going back to Camp2 for breakfast. We break camp and head down to Ranger station at around 10:30 AM. It took us two hours to the station. Then another bumpy ride, I just realized going down was harder than going up, it was really slow and painful process.

We freshen up at DENR office while buying souvenir items also. We reached Baguio at around 6:20 PM, just in time for Dinner at Good Taste. Our scheduled bus ride is around 8:20 PM. Back in Manila at around 1:30 AM. (That was really fast, 5 hours from Baguio).

Thank you to the whole group. A very well-organized team. Hope we can join again on the next climb.

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NOTES:
>AIM (Akyat IT Mountaineers)
http://akyatitmountaineers.multiply.com/

Emirita A. Tamiray
Protected Area Superintendent
Mt. Pulag National Park, Ambangeg, Daclan, Bokod, Benguet
Or at
Mt. Pulag National Park,
C/o PAWD, DENR-CAR
Diego Silang Street, Baguio City
FAX No. (074) 444 7428
CELL PHONE NOS.: PASu: 0919 631 5402;
Protected Area Office: 0919 5539647
Information Officer: 0919 8336709

Mang Rey (Man on the 4x4 wheel)
Manong Mariano and Ate Brianna (Mountain Guides)

Important Reminder:>
The climb should be always organized with designated team leader, medic and sweeper.
Medical kits should be enough to support the whole team
Itinerary should be followed properly
Ample supply of drinking water is encouraged
Rain gears / Gloves / Socks
Thermal jacket

Extra Shirts
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The people in this area are one of the nicest and friendliest people I've ever met.
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