Our favourite places to stay on this sleepy Cebu island.
Contributed by Biyaherong Barat
When I heard the phrases “3-4 hour hike”, “below-zero temperature”, especially the word “hypothermia” while listening to the mandatory orientation at Mount Pulag National Park DENR Office, that’s when I begin to question my physical and mental capacities – “Am I ready for this?”
At that point, I also realised that there was no turning back, no other way but up, and I just have to pull myself together and find out if I could conquer and survive Luzon Island’s highest peak, Mount Pulag.
Also read: Top 10 Mountains in Philippines With the Most Incredible Views
To put these figures into perspective, let’s compare the altitude of the mountain to a more familiar structure – let’s say, the tallest building in the Philippines, Ayala Center’s PBCom Tower. Stack 11 of these together, base to spire, and you’re looking at the staggering height of the third highest mountain in the Philippines, the highest point of elevation in Luzon Island, the “playground of the gods”, the massive Mount Pulag of Benguet – that’s what 2,922 MASL means.
Hiking Ambangeg Trail, the easiest route, begins at the Ranger Station situated at 2,340 MASL already. This leaves hikers with only 20% of the mountain, or 8 kilometres of gradual ascents with a handful of moderately steep sections, to scale from jump off point to summit. However, the 3-4 hour Ambangeg trek could be quite a task if you’re not physically or mentally prepared. Getting your mind and body into the game weeks or months before and during the climb date can spell out a difference.
Three jackets, two shirts, two bonnets, two pairs of pants, three pairs of socks, a sarong, a towel, a sleeping bag and I can still feel the cold pierce into those multiple layers. With Mount Pulag’s high altitude, conditions can drop to a bone-chilling below zero temperature. During our climb, numbers didn’t even reached negative and I was shivering inside my tent. Enduring the frigid climate was my biggest challenge in Mount Pulag.
Mountaineers and non-mountaineers come to Mount Pulag for a sole purpose. All hikers underwent the same obstacles thrown by nature to witness a unique spectacle which makes all the beating worth it. The 2,922 MASL Mount Pulag summit is your front row seat to the majestic Mount Pulag sunrise and the phenomenal sea of clouds, and you could just feel the excitement intensify as every minute pass. When the sun comes up, it is going to be and will always be, a celebration of Mother Nature’s majesty indeed.
Looking back down from 2,922 MASL makes you reflect on your doubts, the immense length of the journey, and the challenges one must endure in scaling Mount Pulag for this one phenomenal and spectacular purpose. In the end, I realised it wasn’t about conquering the mountain anymore, but conquering myself. Overcoming doubts and exceeding physical limits make you realise that there’s more to you than what or who you think you are and thing things you could do.
This is my Mount Pulag story, the first major climb in my entire life. Thanks to everyone who shared this wonderful and memorable experience with me.
(Photos were taken on my January and March 2015 climbs to Mount Pulag.)
Also read: Camping in the Philippines: 10 Sites with the Most Incredible Views
Also read: Mount Batulao Adventure: Why I Love Camping Over Day Hikes
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Be safe and happy travels.
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