Mt. Pulag: Mission Accomplished!

April 26, 2012
Amid the freezing temperature, I must say everyone was able to find their sleep even for few hours. Thanks to our slightly improved gears that kept us warm all night. We woke up past three in the morning. We started the trek to the summit around four. Just before we started our ascent, a group of young people (local tourists) arrived. They rested first, while we begun the highlight of our journey.

I was at the tail end during the first part of the climb. I can’t help myself not to appreciate the gloomy, mysterious-looking view. The bare shadow slopes of the mountains. Even in slight darkness, I can spot the grassland. The moist dwarf bamboo trees on the trail are hard not to miss. Added to that was the signature cold weather that soothes right through your bones. And the stars, they were slowly hiding themselves from the clouds. I can’t wait the sun to shine to perfectly witness the scenery.

But when the sun, little by little, revealed his timely entrance, I started to rush. I jogged some of the plain and safe trails to speed up my track. Some trail to the summit of Mt. Pulag can be tricky, make sure to stay with your group and your guide.

No enough words can describe the victorious feeling of conquering the summit of Mt. Pulag. Not just because it’s the third highest mountain in the country. Not just because she once denied us the opportunity to experience her and now we defeated her. It’s because it is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

I learned from our church that heaven is divided into three. First heaven is the sky where the clouds dominate. Second heaven is the galaxy where the sun, moon and stars are in place. Third heaven is where His throne is positioned. Seeing photos of the famous sea of clouds of Mt Pulag made me think, yes, once in the summit, I’ll be an inch closer to heaven. In reality, it was a little too far to reach, but it felt like heaven nonetheless.

And when you think it’s cold up there, ask my other brother, Inch.

dare to bare?!

We stayed for more than an hour in the summit. Bitin. But the view along the way to the base camp filled that bitin portion in the summit.

No wonder, Mt Pulag has become one of the major tourist destinations up north because it offers a magnificent view. For a moment, the different angles of the mountain made me imagine of Ireland or Scotland… even Batanes. It was indeed a perfect sight.

with photos from Inch Datuin, Rodje Ridriguez, Echo Quidilig, Paulo Pagasian

The Avengers in Mt. Pulag

Uhmm... as of this writing, I have yet to watch the movie The Avengers. But I know a group of brave souls who like some super heroes, made another triumph against a shadow of a tragic past.

Wounds healed. Spirits revitalized. Gears slightly improved. Funds well financed. Target marked. All set to change our fate and to finally accomplish the once elusive mission.

We may not have extra supernatural strength and powers, but we love to challenge ourselves, defying gravity, trying new things.

not in photo: Inch, Kuya Boy

I may have mentioned in the past how easy the trail of Mt Pulag was, based on experience from our last climb. Doing the same thing would be a little boring. So we decided to attempt a night trek. Actually, it was a blessing in disguise. We were scheduled to leave the metro by 1am, but all Victory buses were fully booked until 4am.So goodbye to the three wasted hours in the terminal.

April 25, 2012

We arrived at the ranger station a little before 6pm. We could’ve stayed there overnight, but majority chose the night trek. Just the right way to experience Mt. Pulag the second time around. We once trek the mountain under the rain, now we hiked it in the dark. Good thing, we were blessed with a perfectly cold weather.

With a little source of light, night trekking can be very tiring. We maximized the calculated three-hour hike time from the ranger station to the base camp. An hour from the station to camp 1, and another two hour from camp 1 to camp 2. 

I was delighted upon reaching the spring water area. Oh how I missed its cold, delicious taste that’ll definitely freshen your exhausted spirits. Not only that, it's my cue that we’re close to the base camp.

It was such a relief to see the base camp once again. No rain, no fog... just darkness with a dim light from our flashlights and a little help from the stars above us. I was teary eyed. It was indeed a perfect evening. 

Our tents were ready when we reach the camp. Talk about convenience. Thanks to our efficient porters. It was around 9pm when we arrived and the chilly temperature begun to slowly paralyze us. But we still managed to prepare our instant dinner.

The Heavens overwhelmed me with His amazing grace the entire evening. Before zipping the tent and succumbing to slumber, I had a ten-second stargazing moment. It was just so beautiful to resist and it too cold to stay a little longer. Haha.

Mt. Pulag is considered a sacred place, so bonfire isn’t allowed. Too bad, it could’ve been a super perfect camping experience.

***Mt. Pulag: Mission Accomplished***

After successfully finishing the unfinished business with the summit, we hit back the base camp and leisurely enjoyed the camping grounds. After all, we were the only guests. Haha.

row row row your boat...

what's for breakfast?!

Before the sun totally heat up its temperature, we started packing our things up and break our camp. 915am, we commenced our descent to the ranger station, carrying a lighter luggage, brighter hearts and wider smiles.

It took us just an hour trek to reach camp one and another hour to the ranger station.  

tired but satisfied!

It was indeed another perfect climb.

with photos from Inch Datuin, Rodje Rodriguez

Bugsy's for Lunch

With the summer roasting our households, J and I decided to spend an afternoon in the mall. We dropped by Bugsy’s restaurant for a delightful lunch. I happened to purchase some discount vouchers from the restaurant. Good thing, they didn’t require reservations before dining. Since it was another spur-of-the-moment date, we just walked in the restaurant with hopes they’ll be open on an Easter Sunday… and yes, they were. And since we were the only guests that time…  naka-kain kami agad. Haha.

Here's few of their best sellers and that's what we had for lunch.

Buffalo tenders (195). Its like buffalo wings minus the bones that makes it more easy to eat. Amazingly soft and tender.

Fish and Chips (215). We thought it'll be like any fish and chips, but the two gigantic fish dory  - too much to fill your stomach.

Bugsy's Siegel (595). Their signature dish. An Angus rib eye complete with red wine sauce and mashed potatoes. It's not everyday that I'd crave for this meal because this is known to be expensive - so we savor each and every bite of it. We had it well done, though medyo matigas, pero masarap na rin. Haha. I am not a fan of mashed potatoes but I'll exempt this one. 

Bugsy's Chocolate Lava cake (145). It may look like just a cupcake with a whip cream on top of it, but looks can be deceiving sometimes, you know. One of the best choco cake I have ever experienced.

table before meals

table after meals (with the take out bag..haha)

It was indeed a delicious menu, worth every cent… Haha. We then proceeded to the mall, hit some pins and battled against the Wrath of the Titans.

Rain and Shine: Mt. Tagapo

Mt. Tagapo

Talim Island, Laguna de Bay
Major jump-off: Brgy. Janosa (Talim Island) Binangonan, Rizal
LLA 14.32° N 121.23° E, 438 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2

(source: Pinoy Mountainer)
 

So this is what happened. From our amazing daytrip in Naga and the ten-hour train ride, I spent half of the day sleeping, trying to regain my almost washed-out strength from my failed exhibitions in CWC. But it turned out to be a trap, because when I woke up – I felt much worse.  At a turtle’s pace, I tried to fix  my things for my next day trip – a day climb to be exact… went to work from 6pm to 3am… waited in the pantry until 430am… and at around 5am, I found myself inside an FX on my way to yet another energy-demanding activity.

Since Mt. Tagapo is in an island, we had to take a boat ride to the town of Janosa. We took the first trip at 630am. Boat leaves in every two hours. Fare is 30 pesos.

It was my first time to ride this kind of a water-based transport and I was elated about the experience. Alanganin bangka, alanganing ferry kasi sya. It’s huge. And half of the passengers were actually goodies, transported by retailers in the islands.

the mighty captain of the ship

We passed about four to five town ports to disembark other passengers.

Just after an hour and a half, we found ourselves in front of the welcome sign of the town.

From the port, we just walked straight to the barangay hall (as in, isang derecho lang from the port..) for the customary registration (20pesos). We met our guide, Kuya Arthur – (0939.617.8387). He was with us from Binangonan port (see second pix). Standard rate for a guide is 300. We have read a recent solo climb of Pinoy Lakwatsero to Mt. Tagapo before our schedule hike. Mommy Earl and I even thought of doing the same thing – not hiring a guide and just follow his instructions. But since we have numbers to split the cost, might as well hire one – for safety.

While having breakfast and the much needed caffeine refill, it rained. Good thing I brought my reliable raincoat, while others had their umbrella. Unlike other climbs, I didn’t bother to prepare baon for lunch. I just had leftovers from my recent Naga trip.

By 830am, we officially started the second climb of the year…

kung makapag signage, parang nasa kabilang kanto lang ang bundok ah!

Kuya Arthur – 0939.617.8387

 

It didn’t rain the whole duration of the climb, but from the time to time, it brought us a little discomfort because the dried up trail gradually became muddy and it’s slippery when wet… not to mention our worries about another foggy summit.

Dolly (seated on the rock): sana nanood na lang ako ng One Piece...

After taking the photo above, the heavens mercilessly showered us with liquid blessings – just before we reached the last part of the trail before the base camp. Whew. We had to halt and took shelter to one of the bamboo-shielded-giant-tree-covered areas. We stood there for at least 20-30 minutes. I thought we will go home with a heavy heart on that day. Until we realized we forgot something very important in each climb – the prayer. Oh yes, we forgot to pray before the climb so there, He reminded us just before we start ascending the base camp. So, we silently uttered our prayers – and yes, the rain stopped soon afterwards.

The human-tall talahiban of Mt. Tagapo reminded me of Mt Gulugod baboy and Mt Pico de Loro. You have to protect you face with your arms while passing them or else you’ll get scratches.

1030AM. It was still drizzling when we arrived the base camp. We can hardly see the summit because of the fog. But little by little, the skies cleared up.

now you fog...

 now you don't...

The minute the heavens showed us the sign of a perfect weather, we rushed back to the trail and started our hike to the summit. Never mind the cold wind blowing our almost soaking bodies.

hala sige..picture ng picture!

It took us about 30 minutes before conquering the fullness of the mountain. Indeed when at the top of Mt. Tagapo, you can see the beauty and vastness of Laguna de Bay and the different sides of it.

Kuya Arthur: Ito rin yung tinatawag na susong dalaga, kasi para syang shape ng ano…ng dalaga…

Inch: (Amused.)Talaga kuya?! Ibig nyong sabihin kuya, itong summit… ito na yung…

The rest of us: Sige Inch, sabihin mo… sabihin mo… haha..

(kung sana kasama natin sina Rai, Gulli at Echo…hindi ka mahihirapan Inch noh?!)

For a time, we had to play tricks with the fog to capture the view from the summit, especially for our must-have jump shots.

the group shot

the feet shot!

of course...the jump shots!

We stayed for half an hour in the summit… then off to our descent.

We took refuge to Kuya Arthur’s house for a quick rest and retouch. Few minutes later, he told us the boat is already there, so we had to double time our pace. According to one of the passengers, the last boat trip from Janosa to Binangonan is 7pm (just double check it with your guide or in the barangay hall.)

paunahan makarating ng Maynila oh... hahaha

 

Upon arriving back to the port, we immediately looked for the nearest food chain available for a quick super late lunch, before heading home.