Mt. Pulag, surviving marvelously

As 2014 came in I told to my self that this year will be less climb, more trips so I could give time to my first love which is traveling, something I've missed for quite a while since I became preoccupied  with climbing. Though this year I also wish just to do more MAJOR climbs, hopefully and to climb my dream mountains which are the Mt. Daguldol and Makiling. I do wish to know the pets of Makiling, have a shake hands with them, even arms to arms, or feet to feet. Just never do eye to eye, whisper in my ears or kiss me in my face and lips, because I am going to crash them... ahahahah!

However one of the major peaks I do wish to reach is the summit of Pulag,  I've already heard a lot of things about Pulag, getting a lot of buzz about this mountain and said that its where I could see the sea of clouds, where the gods play. And thankfully that thru Travel Tipid of a friend named Ace and Rain this dream of mine came true. As early as February I already had my first major climb and looking forward for more high MASL.

Mount Pulag (or sometimes Mount Pulog) is the third highest mountain in the Philippines. It is Luzon’s highest peak at 2,922 meters above sea level. The borders between the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya meet at the mountain's peak.
Because of its high elevation, the climate on Mount Pulag is temperate with rains predominating the whole year. Rainfall on the mountain averages 4,489 mm yearly with August being the wettest month with an average rainfall of 1,135 mm. Snow has not fallen on its top in at least the past 200 years. (by Wikipedia)

Travel Tipid goes to Mt. Pulag

As the Travel Tipid goes to Mt. Pulag I made sure that I will join this trip no matter what, so as early as January I already assured my slot and I got so excited and I just can't hide it..  I know, I know, I want this I want this... eheheh after a long wait, completing my gear, I even bought a new bag as Raccini (my old bag) is somehow giving up now, had a preparation mentally and physically as most say that the trail we are going to take will be a gruelling one. Though I know my capacity but still I didn't take it for granted I had a long walks and did a preparation climb to our beloved Maranat. And also as always reminding myself  to do not under estimate a mountain no matter how long or hard you've been climbing so prepare as always.

A little prayer and a quick name drop

lets go go go...  fight fight fight!!!

The day of climb came, Feb. 14, when most are going to their valentine dates, we the participants are busy doing our last packing and by 10:00pm met up at Victory Liner in Cubao were we had our dates... There are about 3 or 4 were left behind as they came in late but good thing Ace (the organizer) waited for them and they just took the next bus bound to Baguio, and Oh by the way one of them is my invited friend Kenneth, who is a pain in a ass.. arrrrrggg I thought I'll gonna have a nervous break down coz it was already just like 45 minutes before the bus leave but still he's still on his way... tsk tsk... but nevertheless we were all able to make it to Baguio, in which the second batch are just 30 minutes away. 

40minutes briefing at DENR

First overnight @Edithe River

@Marlboro stop over for lunch

 After about 6 hours of bus ride and all are in, our ride are still far from over as we still need to travel another 2 hours to the DENR where we had a 40minutes seminar, and after that another about 45 more minutes to the ranger where the jump off starts.... It was such a looooooong trip but its okie because left and right we have a magnificent view of Baguio and Benguet... doing a top load was so much fun. The trek started at the ranger by registering first and after that everything is already a tiring, non stop assault... Well that didn't stop us, it may slowed us down but we still kept on stepping up until we reached our first destination the Edithe River.. We spent out first night there, some took a plunge on the cold freezing water of river, we had our dinner there and socials. Some already knew each other, some are just on first time however it seems that we all already knew each other for a long time as the laughter, teasing, stories are non stop. Laying under the bed of stars are so amazing, I even saw some shooting stars, and oooppps I made a wish, hopefully it will be true. 

On our second day the adventure continuous on and this time the trek is more tiring, the trek is more on assault, the trek is more longer as it took us about 8-9 hours to reach the saddle the second camp site were we spent our second night. As the night is falling the temperature is also falling that night it was on 3* degrees, we ate inside the tent and afterwards lie down and tried to sleep as we need it even though I couldn't sleep that much because its soooo cold. The next day as early as 5am we all woke up and stood on our feet  as we need to be on top before the sunrise so we could have a good view and witness what we climbed for. As minutes passing by everyone is so excited, we are so lucky as we are given a good weather and truly seen by my own two eyes the amazing sea of clouds. All the hardship, all the pain, all the colds, all the heat are all worth it upon seeing and capturing the wonderful formation above the sky right before our very own two eyes.

And this is it, pansit!!! Mt. Pulag... Sea of clouds

The climbed it self though we took one of the hardest trails of Mt. Pulag, I could say is mesmering, it was fun and worth it. As we are joking around "yan na ba ung Akiki trail, chicken" but we all know deep down inside we are all praying that it all end soon, as we are all tired and wasted. But nevertheless we keep on pushing on until we finish and reach the top and we made it all, the prize is so overwhelming! I'm so glad to be part of this hike, I've met new friends, spend time with old friends, took a new trail, completed a new adventure and now I can say I SURVIVED MT. PULAG. This may not be an expensive trip, that's what the slogan of the group TRAVEL TIPID, travel doesn't need to be expensive.. but the memories, the laughter and friendship that was built are so much more being expensive. For sure I wouldn't forget this one.

Thanks kap Ace, Rainier, Mimay, Aras, Glen, Kim, May, Rhej, Laurence, Nico, Khevin, Mike and the rest of the gang. Two thumbs up and a pat on back to everyone. 

As I've mentioned I'm looking forward to major hikes this year.. I have another major one set for SICAPOO in June by the TAGOT group and hopefully this will materialized. 


That is Mt. Pulag, I've been there, I survived the Akiki-Amba Trail!

Til our next climb. Thank you Lord for the Strength.



I'm one with mother nature...
itsmejackie c",)


 
     

Minsan doon sa Baseco

Sila ang mukha ng mga batang baseco at ito ang mundo ng Baseco madumi, madaming basura, mga batang madudungis, mga matatandang gumagawa ng panghanap buhay. Hindi ko masabing sila ay masaya o malungkot dahil hindi pa nman ako nakatitira dito ngunit sa aking palagay sila ay sakto lang sila. Kung baga nakakaraos.

Makailang ulit naman din ako nakapunta dito sa Baseco para sa parehong dahilan upang ang makasalamuha ang mga tao dito higit ang mga bata. Nagpapakain, nagbibigay  ng munting regalo simpleng paraan upang magbigay ng konting saya.

Muli nitong nakaraang linggo ako ay naanyaya ng isang kaibigan para sa buwanang pakain ng kanilang grupo sa baseco. Nakakatuwa na itoy kanila na naging panata at naging parte ako At sana ito ay magtuloy-tuloy.

Subalit malunglot at masakit makita ang kalagayan ng ating mga kapatid sila nakatira sa lugar na sa bawat pagmulat nang kanilang mata mga basura ang tumatambad sa kanila, subalit sila'y dito nasanay na at nornal ang ikot ng buhay. Pero masakit itong malaman lalo na pata sa mga bata...batang madudungis, tila pinababayaan ng mga magulang hindi nakakaligo subalit ang amin lang kayang gawin ay ang silay pagsabihan at mabigay sa kanila ang munti naming mga dalahin. At doon kami'y nagtagumpay naman..ahahah.

Sana lang at panalangin ko na ang ating gobyerno makita ng lubos at buo ang kalagayan ng lugar na ito. Gayun pa mana kahit na ganito sa baseco masarap parang doon mag ikot makita ng mata at puso ang tunay na itsura ng mundo ko, ng mundo mo.  At sa pamamagitan ng sulating mata ay makita mo rin, at sana kahit pano ay alam mo na ito.

Wag tayong magbulag bulagan, wag tayong magtanga tanghan, wag tayong makasarili at wag tayong maging manhid.

Saglit lang mga kaptid kami ng grupo kong TAGOT at ng Reach kids ay gagawa ng paran sa aming makakaya... darating kami.

Patnubayan kayo ni Bathala






itsmejackie c",)