Straight from our side trip (which we did in reverse to the usual Pulag itinerary) we headed towards the DENR for us to be able to register and attend the short briefing before we ultimately proceed to the Ranger Station and set up camp.
THE BRIEFING
We finally arrived at the DENR at 1000H. We paid our registration fees and waited for our turn for the short briefing about the to do's and what not's inside the nature reserve. It was actually 1120H when we left the Ranger Station.
Starting February 2015, the DENR has proscribed camping at Camp 2 Extension. Moreso, the DENR has likewise limited the slots (150...?) for campers at Camp 2 and Camp 1 during weekend hikes (Saturday-Sunday). As such, majority of the informal hikers and weekend warriors that troop to Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg (Executive Trail) are now compelled to camp at the Ranger Station.
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| Busy |
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| Shirts for sale |
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| Sir Espi welcomes you to Mt. Pulag |
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| The main entrance |
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| The DENR...taken from the road |
With this setup, the locals at the Ranger Station now enjoy extra income (from camping fees to fees for toilet use). It is also noticeable that more and more enterprising locals have started to sell foodstuff and other goodies. They also rent camping necessities to hikers like earth pads, tents, and cooking utensils.
The DENR has likewise decided to limit the number of hikers at the summit per given time. In this regard, hikers have been assigned to the different peaks (such as Peak 3, Peak 2, and the Tower Station) for the sunrise-viewing and the famous sea of clouds.
THE BABADAK RANGER STATION
From the DENR, we proceeded to the Country Road for lunch. We had a feast of Pork Sinigang and other viands. This is where mountaineers and hikers converge before going to, as well as coming from the Babadak Ranger Station.
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| Up to the Ranger Station... |
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| But before that...we need to eat Lunch... |
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| Country Road...Ate Gina's |
While the Country Road is about 10 minutes from the DENR, the Ranger Station is still 30 minutes away. In the past, mountaineers had to hike from the DENR, but now with the improved road conditions, the monster jeeps and even van-for-hires (all the way from Baguio) can bring hikers to the Range Station. True enough, the Ranger Station has now become bustling with commercial activity.
Also, "Top-loading" was allowed in the past. But according to Moi, since accidents tend to happen (some hikers get trap on the water hoses that overhang from one side of the road to the other), checkpoints have been in place to enforce this rule.
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| Top-Loading is no longer allowed...because the water hoses like those in front really pose as hazards |
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| So there is now a gate at the Ranger Station |
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| Welcome to Babadak |
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| Pay the fees and secure the guides |
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| The Ranger Station |
Although we were pegged to camp at the Ranger Station, We initially targeted to camp at Camp 1, but with thunderstorms looming over the horizon, we reconsidered and just chose to camp at the Ranger Station.
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| Camp Site |
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| Campsite |
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| Sunset |
THE HIKE
Getting up at midnight to start hiking at 0100H, considering the cold temperature, is really more challenging than one would think. The chilly night hike up Peak 3 of Mt. Pulag will literally roused one's senses.
We reached Camp 2 at 0300H but had to take extra time on the trail as most of us had to refill water bottles at the nearest watersource. We also decided to take it easy on the assault part after the Tawangan Junction, since we are still way ahead in schedule. As such, we arrived at Peak 3 at 0450H, just in the nick of time for us to enjoy the Sea of Clouds that come with the sunrise.
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| Twilight |
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| Eagerly waiting for the sea of clouds |
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| Sea of Clouds |
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| Mt. Pulag |
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| Sunrise...here comes the sun...too bee doo doo |
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| Touch the sun |
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| Holding hands with the sun |
While there are other mountains here in the Philippines that also offers a sea of clouds, nothing beats the majestic waves of clouds that Mt. Pulag offers. The dwarf bamboo forest that dominate its desolate peaks provide an added mystique to the experience. There is really nothing like it. I just hope that mountaineers and casual hikers that venture into this so-called playground of the gods will be more responsible in taking care of Luzon's highest peak.
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| Sea of Clouds |
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| Hello sunshine |
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| To the other side... |
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| :) |
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| Jumper |
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| Jump shot |
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| ...sa bangin hehe |
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| Awesome |
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| Brrrr...malamig ba? |
We decided to descend back to the Ranger Station at 0715H (after the photo-ops of course...). It was only on this way back to our camp site that the 1st time climbers who were in our group, were truly awed by the mossy forest. Hence, some of us decided to spend more time in taking pictures and explore the area. The 1st group was able to reach our campsite at 0940H while the last batch of hikers arrived at 1050H.
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| A bend in the trail... |
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| There is a trail that connects Peak 3 to the Summit |
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| It's a sunny day....Mt. Pulag's famous pine tree |
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| Mt. Pulag's famous pine tree |
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| Down...down...down |
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| Dwarf Bamboo Forest |
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| Ang laki na ng trail...:( |
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| Camp 2's lonesome tree |
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| And this is the trail below the area where Camp 2 Extension is located |
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| Approaching Camp 2 |
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| Camp 2 |
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| Mossy Forest |
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| Enjoy ba kayo guys? Patay kayong lahat kay...harharhar |
After having brunch, we decided to break camp while the alternately having our respective wash-ups. It was already 1300H when we left the Ranger Station for Baguio. We dropped by the DENR to log-out and to get our Climb Certificates. We subsequently arrived in Baguio at 1600H, with a lot of time to spare for the 2020H bus to Manila.
Mt. Pulag is really a fascinating experience. Should you wish to climb there, we just hope that you be a responsible climber since we mountaineers would really hate to see Mt. Pulag be closed due to the ill-effects brought by irresponsible hikers.
Traipsing Chronicles 020
004.025-027.015
Mt. Pulag - via Ambangeg Trail
Kabayan, Benguet - 2922 MASL
Jump off point: Ranger Station, Bokod, Benguet
Major Climb: 3/9 (not so much of the hike but because of the extreme weather conditions)
Highlights: Luzon's highest peak; the venerable sea of clouds; 360°view at the summit; Pine forest and mossy forest; dwarf bamboos; cold weather
*Other posts related to Mt. Pulag
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