Mt. Pulag - Climb Advisory (Typhoon Lando / Koppu)

With the impending effects of Typhoon Lando (International Name Koppu) in Northern Luzon this coming weekend (October 16,17 and18), the Office of the Mount Pulag National Park Superintendent has issued a directive declaring that Mt. Pulag National Park will be closed to hikers on the said dates. The Park Management likewise emphasized the dangers of travelling in the Cordilleras during stormy weather.

Previously, an advisory dissuading all climbers from pushing through their scheduled climbs.

As per Weather Advisory No. 3 issued early today at 11:00AM, Tropical Storm Koppu is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is estimated to be 1,515km east of Luzon (15.8°N, 135.7°E) with maximum winds of 65kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80kph, and is moving west at 22kph.

Typhoon Lando is expected to be at 990km east of Luzon by Thursday morning, 560km east northeast of Baler, Aurora by Friday morning, and 310km northeast of Baler on Saturday. On Sunday, it is estimated to be at 40km north of Aparri, Cagayan, and 180km northwest of Calayan Island by Monday morning. (As posted in Mt. Pulag National Park Bulletin Facebook Page).

Please be advised accordingly.

A copy of the Warning Advisory issued by the Office of Civil Defense (taken from the Mt. Pulag National Park Bulletin Facebook Page) is reproduced below.

 

For more updated information, you may access the Facebook Account of the Mt. Pulag National Park / Mt-Pulag-National-Park-Bulletin or call Sir Roy at +63 929 166 8864


***Credits to the owners of the photos used...PAGASA and Mt. Pulag National Park Bulletin.

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Typhoon Lando - Northern Luzon

Mt. Sembrano - Manggahan Falls & Pililla Windmills

After months of shelving carefully laden plans in the past, we eventually decided to summit Mt. Sembrano. Hence, I had to fetch my climb buddy (Gani) along Ortigas Ave (near Robinsons Galleria) at 0530H.

Mt. Sembrano's South Summit....taken from the North Summit

Fortunately, we were able to find our way to the Barangay Hall of Malaya, Pililla, Rizal (where we eventually parked Jaff). After signing our names in the log book and paying the mandatory registration fee, we continued towards the trailhead leading to the summit of Mt. Sembrano which is just 100 meters, more or less, from the Barangay Hall (2^nd street after the Flying V gas station). It was already 0755 when we commenced hiking.



Brgy. Hall / Registration Center

The hike began from the highway as the concrete road started to become steep, this would actually be the start of the never-ending assault until the summit (Yes, the climb is mostly uphill, maybe 85% thereof.). We made our way through the residential area until the pavement gave way to the “Rocky Road”.

It's a cloudy day in Mt. Sembrano



The Rocky Road begins where the concrete road ends.

Although there are still residential houses along the Rocky Road, it actually signified that we are nearing the edge of the forest. We then encountered the 1^st split and took the trail on the right. We likewise crossed a brook thereafter. There are trail signs along the way except at the junction where the trail on the right leads down to the river (this is actually the old trail). Here, you must take the trail on the left since the old trail has already been closed due to landslide.