Mt. Pulag - Kabayan, Benguet

Mt. Pulag - Kabayan, Benguet

Every mountaineers / hikers constantly look for the next mountain to climb. Something more challenging in terms of difficulties and higher in altitude. In other words, they are looking for new level of fulfillment to add in their mountaineering experience. So, some of them including me tried the major climb for the very first time. And this moment, we headed to northern part of the Philippines to climb the Luzon's highest peak -  Mt. Pulag, the third highest mountain in the country (following Mt. Apo and Mt. Dulang-dulang) (Source: pinoymountaineer.com).

At the height of 2922 MASL, we climbed Mt. Pulag for 3 days and 2 nights via Akiki Trail or so called "The Killer Trail" because of its steepness all throughout the trail. Our adventure started after the briefing at the DENR. Around 12:00NN, we arrived at the Akiki jump off and started our trek towards the ranger station. This is where you can secure for a guide, porter and to register. We also ate our packed lunch there. After ensuring that everything is set, we commenced the trek to Eddet river for 2 hours or more if I'm not mistaken.

 DENR

Akiki Jump off point

During the trek, you will be amazed with the nature that surrounds you. The trail of Akiki is just like an adventure game that you will need to pass by stage by stage. First, the Eddet River where we spent our first overnight camp and passed by the hanging bridge the next day. Followed by the so called "Marlboro Country" where you can witness lots of tall old trees all over the area like we've seen in the famous cigarette commercial. Next is the mossy forest or enchanted forest as they say. Once you reach this area you’ll feel like you are in a fantasy movie (hehe). From here, you can witness big tress where the trunks and branches are almost covered by mosses. No doubt, because of the climate in Mt. Pulag is cold. And lastly, the grassland that is composed of dwarf bamboos. When you reach this area, you are not too far from the summit. This is where the saddle camp is located. From saddle camp, the summit is just a 30mins or more away.

Continuing our hike under the heat of the sun, we reached our first stop. There, we met some hikers spending their few minutes of rest. One good thing about mountaineering is you keep on meeting new friends with the same interest. Even though you don't know them personally, you’d still feel welcomed. Greeting each other's group and exchanging conversations and sharing different stories and experiences. 

 Master Joey, S' Arnold (Center) S' Edwin

Yrwin with pine tress at the background

Your's truly at the edge

As we continued we finally reached the Eddet River. This is a nice spot to spend overnight because the water source is just a few meters away. Around 4:30PM we started pitching our tents, cooked our foods for dinner and had some socials. We allowed ourselves to experience the cold water in the river by washing our tired bodies. This is the first time I drank water directly from river. No after tastes and it’s really cold (Nice experience). Some hikers took their bath also. The good thing about having water source along the trail is to lessen the load during the trek. Just spend your water wisely until you reach the water source. Also, you can wash your dishes after use to avoid some crawling insects on it. Be in mind that most water source in the trail are locals’ daily source too, so keep it clean and avoid some contamination by using soap, shampoos and the like nearby.

When spending socials overnight, make sure to minimize your noise to avoid disturbances with the fellow mountaineers having rest. If your group has drinking sessions, try to avoid too much intake of alcohol to avoid some unfortunate events or behavior. 

 Views captured along the trail

Eddet River below as seen from the top

Try to spend some time to pause and take some photos along the trail. This is for you to savor the beauty of the surrounding and to connect yourselves to nature as well. Feel free to relax you mind and forget the busy moment in the urban living. There are so much to discover with this kind of activity, if you have journal, write it down so that you can have lots of stories to share back home. In my case, taking pictures are enough. These images are enough to tell the story how good this adventure was. Enough for me to reminisce the place, the companionship and the experiences that once in a while, I can say, I was there, in that mountain of Mt. Pulag.

Fresh water of Eddet river

Group picture before we leave the camp
Master Joey, S' Edwin, Ms. Jho, S' Aldrin, S' Eric, S' Arnold, Ms. Nina, Ms. Yrwin, Me and S' Alex (right)

The following day we woke up early for breakfast and for another long day of hike. The cold night gave us a comfortable sleep and regenerated. We took the hanging bridge to cross the Eddet River. This bridge is made of rod and cables attached together to make it stronger and stable. Don't worry it's safe. After that bridge, I started to realize why they called it "The killer trail". Majority of the climb from Eddet river is steep slopes. Like us who are new to take major climb and in this kind of trail, I can't go 30mins straight hike without stopping just to catch my breath. It's hard to push yourself up while your backpack weight and gravity pulling you down. But you have no other choice but to keep on moving. According to some article I've read, mountaineering is an art of sacrificing, yeah! I agree. This is where you can relate your own life in reality. That sometimes in our life we feel so hopeless, tired and in some point we are thinking of quitting just to put an end to all burdens. But then again, we can see new beautiful things along the trail that give us hope and inspire us to keep on going. Your hiking buddies motivate you to keep going, help you to stand up and to stay focus on trail. There is no turning back alone. In real life, you will learn how to stand up and move forward by your own foot. Your friends and relatives are just there behind to support you. 

At the hanging bridge

Around 12NN, we reached the so called Marlboro country to have our lunch near the 2nd water source. Lots of climbers drop by here for lunch and rest. After that, our adventure continued and commenced our trek up to mossy forest. When you engage in this kind of trail, make sure you have lots of trail foods that you can eat along. Full your water container after your lunch because that is the last water source up to saddle camp. I guarantee you, this trail is no joke, it made me drain and exhausted. Your trail foods and water helps you energize to keep you going. Chocolate bars, peanuts and jelly ace are the good examples. 

Ms. Jho Esteban (left)

Master Joey & S' Edwin at Mossy Forest

We cannot take more photos in Marlboro Country and Mossy Forest because we are too tired enough. On the other hand, we reserved our own batteries for the summit photos. The two photos above are courtesy of S' Edwin.

Group pic during pit stop

After the mossy forest, we found ourselves in this open place on a higher ground. We are now at about 2600 MASL. Spend some of your time to witness the cloud formations and feel the cool breeze of winds that touches your face. At this point, you can feel the success, because behind this peak is the way down to the saddle camp where you can see the nearby summit of Mt. Pulag. Saddle camp is less than an hour hike from this area. 

While we are on the trail to saddle, the weather is getting colder as the fog is visible everywhere.

All of us were too excited, but some of our companion was left on the trail just to savor the moment and capture different cloud formations. When we arrived at the camp, we started to pick good spot to pitch our tent. Good site to cover us from the cold winds. Finally, I picked a place to cover us but not that good because of the un-even ground. While the others busy catching the sunset, me and my climbing buddy cooked our food for the night. Some members of our group have their own food too for dinner. We decided to cook early so we can eat and rest as early as possible. We need to wake up early morning to catch the sea of clouds during sunrise. Our call time is 4AM.

We didn’t have a good sleep that night as the cold weather was freezing. I had 4 pairs of socks on my feet, 3 layers of jacket on my body, leggings and pants for my lower part and gloves for my hands, and yet I was still freezing. According to some climbers, the temperature dropped down to -4 degrees that time. I don't know how accurate that was. We didn't believe them until we saw some ice on top of our tent. I can't believe it but it's really true. It was like the tiny white ice that you find inside your fridge when I opened the tent door. And when I came out of the tent at 3:30am, viola! the ice is almost on everybody's tent. It really amazed us. 

Sir Edwin showing t-shirt and tent that has ice

Preparing breakfast

After a quick sipping of hot coffee, we commenced our final summit assault. Climbers are coming from different directions and trails but with one purpose, to reach the summit and witness the sunrise and the sea of clouds. The stunning 360 degrees views that makes Mt. Pulag popular as hiking destination.

Breaking dawn

Sunrise at the summit

Fellow climbers

 The famous Sea of Clouds

 Saddle camp viewed from the summit

 Yrwin at Mt. Pulag summit marker

Sir Eric (left) Sir Arnold (Right)

After our eyes witnessed the wonder of God's creation, taking some photos as souvenir and saying goodbyes to the summit and its beauty, we decided to descend and head back to camp for breakfast and for final pack up preparation. We did our traverse via Ambangeg trail. That was a very memorable climbing experience since most of us in the group were his/her first time via Akiki trail and first time to climb Mt. Pulag. I will surely keep on coming back to this mountain.

What's on my 32L pack during this climb? (Observe proper bag anatomy)

Shelter

Tent - X2 Hillman (2 Persons tent)

Fly sheet

Ground Sheet

Sleeping Pad

Sleeping Bag

Guy lines

Clothing

1 Thermal Jacket

1 Windbreaker

1 Mid layer Jacket

3 pairs of Dry fit shirts

1 Trekking pants (Convertible into shorts)

1 Trekking short

3 Under wares

4 pairs of socks

1 Raincoat

1 Columbia Sandals (I used in the entire trek)

1 Merrel Trail glove shoes (I used in summit assault)

Arm band

Hat

Bonnet

Gloves

Cookwares / Kitchenette

Stove - Bulin (Folding)

3 Canister of butain gas

Cook set (for 2 Persons)

Utensils

Lighter / Matches

Knife

Thermo Jug

Water container

Foods

5 cups of rice (for 2 persons)

Canned goods

Soup powder

3 in 1 coffee

Noodles

Salted egg with tomato

3 liters of water (1 in hydration bladder)

Trail foods (Bars of cloud 9, Jelly ace and peanuts)

Personal Items and others

Medical Kit / Toiletries

Wet wipes/ Sanitizer/ Tissue papers

Head lamps/ Flashlights with extra battery

Digicam / Cellphone

Trash bags

Extra money

ID's