First Attempt at Mt. Pulag

Well, it's Maundy Thursday today and I just don't have anything to do yet here at home. I am still downloading some torrents and so I decided to visit my blog and just write something here. 

As I recall, the last post here was from my solo trip to Bacolod which happened last October 2014. So let me just continue my travel post with my first hiking attempt at Mt. Pulag. :)

Last December 2014, I went to Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg trail with Jay and my other two officemates from DKS (Nina and Cat). If I may say, I am not prepared for this hike. I was physically unfit. I did not bring enough clothes and forgot some essential stuff for hiking.

Mt. Pulag stands at 2,922 meters above sea level. It is famous for its sea of clouds and the view of Milky Way galaxy at dawn. 

Hiking Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg trail is not very difficult. As they say, it's like walk in the park. Being the third highest mountain in the Philippines, it is surprising that you can actually reach the campsite in 3 hours.

If my memory serves me right, we arrived at the campsite at almost 5PM. We rested for a while and then we had a glimpse of the sunset. The clouds were moving very fast. After a while, it was already dark. 

We were not lucky to see the sea of clouds in the morning because it rained very hard between 8PM-8AM the following day. We had a small tent so just imagine the four of us inside trying to get some sleep while we were all very wet. 

I would like to go back to Mt. Pulag again and hopefully be able to see the sea of clouds.

Here are some of our pictures from that trip:

Jay checking the top load jeepneys

Cat and Nina posing while sitting on top of the jeepney

Of course, ako rin, dapat meron :)

Jay and I posing with Benguet mountains as backdrop :)

Can't remember which part of the trail this is. But as you can see, the soil is still dry

There are several tents already when we arrived at the campsite. Plus, it is already foggy over there. 

Chasing light. It looks like Mordor from the movie The Lord of the Rings.

Campsite 2. There were so many campers during that time.

Picture of success! Congrats Jay for reaching the campsite!!!

Our picture during the sunset with Mt. Pulag as our background.

Us four inside the tent. Pinilit magkasya sa good for 2 na tent. >_<

With Cat and Jay 

2012 is my Hiking Year

Year 2012 is one of the most memorable years for me not only because I celebrated a quarter of a century that year but it was also during that year that I discovered my love for hiking. For that past year, I think I had 5 climbs, 4 of which are minor climbs in Batangas and another major climb in Tarlac. 

As a first timer, I did not have a hard time hiking. Probably because I'm skinny and can stand the scorching heat of the sun while climbing. I also play badminton regularly so my stamina is good and I don't have to catch my breath every time we arrive at steep parts of the trail. But I must admit, it was not always easy on the trail. There were times that my legs would become so wobbly that the only reasonable thing to do is to stop and rest for while. Nevertheless, hiking is still a fun activity and if ever time permits now, I would love to go back hiking and discover the beauty of our mountains. 

Just wanna share to all of you my fun-filled mountain climbing experience last year!


1) April 2012: Mt. Maculot Traverse (Rockies to Summit) - my first climb ever
--Cuenca, Batangas

I'm flying without wings! :)

There's Mindoro on the other side.. 

My favorite shot from my first ever climb. That's the Taal Lake at the back.. 

At 930 MASL, you will see a grotto..

And that's the view from Mt. Maculot Summit. So nice to see Batangas towns from that peak.. :)

2) June 2012: Freedom Climb at Mt. Damas - my first major climb
--San Clemente, Tarlac

Here's my all geared up picture taken at the summit

With my photog friends Ryan and Teovel.. :)

4am shot at the summit.. I love the early morning sky!

That's my fellow mountaineers and me enjoying the cold cold waters from the small falls.. so refreshing!

Here's another one

And because it is freedom climb, the group pic with the Philippine flag is in order.. :)

3)  August 2012: Mt. Manabu Fun Climb
--Sto. Tomas, Batangas

At the jump-off point

group picture before the climb

at Mt. Manabu's peak

with my friend Mckoy.. By the way, that's Mt. Maculot from afar :)

and our group picture before the descent

4) October 2012: Mt. Maculot Dayhike
--Cuenca, Batangas

Standing in one of those rocks of the Rockies

5) Mt. Batulao Dayhike
--Nasugbu, Batangas

posing before the summit assault

Camp 8 is the start to the summit assault

Bouldering.. easy!

Ahh the view of Mt. Batulao.. isn't that majestic? :)

I hope you enjoyed today's backpost! :)