Mt. Tabayoc - Into the mossy forest and up in the clouds

“Nobody climbs mountains for scientific reasons. Science is used to raise money for the expeditions, but you really climb for the hell of it.” (Edmund Hillary)


After our Outreach Climb, a good number of us participants decided to climb Mt. Tabayoc, which at 2842+ MASL is considered to be the 2nd highest mountain in Luzon. Not to be outdone by its more famous and higher next door neighbor (Mt. Pulag), Mt. Tabayoc's claim to fame is its mossy forest that is supposed to be one, if not the most beautiful of its kind.

Located just next to Mt. Pulag, Mt. Tabayoc is located in probably one of the wettest places in the Philippines. Hence, it is normal for hikers to get soaking wet when climbing Mt. Tabayoc. On the other hand, according to the locals living within the vicinity of Lake Tabeo, fair weather usually comes in January to April. As such, prepare your climb accordingly.

At the Summit / View deck of Mt. Tabayoc

A cloudy scene

Ready to go!

From Tinaleb Elementary School, twelve adventurous climbers rode on a jeepney to get to Lake Tabeo. While the road in Tinaleb also leads up to Lake Tabeo, Mang Santi and our driver advised us that it would be easier to go back down to Ballay Proper and then take the concrete road for supposedly another two (2) kilometers (as per the sign located at the Ballay Junction) until Lake Tabeo, where the Ballay Ranger Station is incidentally situated.

It was a cool and breezy morning, with light showers intermittently passing. The hike up to Mt. Tabayoc started at the ranger station in Lake Tabeo. We then followed the foot path just after the bridge cum spillway. Rows and rows of vegetable terraces/gardens, particularly those planted with cabbages, led us into the forest.

The Ballay Ranger Station is located in Lake Tabeo  

Just before entering the mossy forest

At its initial approach, the forest is composed of huge dipterocarp trees, which slowly gave way to the mossy forest as we went on the hike. As Mang Santi explained to us, the higher and deeper into the forest we go, the smaller the trees become. Once we entered the forest, it was a continuous ascent from then on. However steep the climb is, you seldom notice it really because the monkey trail would make available roots and branches where you can cling on to as you make your ascent. Hence, you get to make use of your hands and arms aside from your legs. In other words, hikers would actually be treated to a total workout during the climb.

Chillin'

An hour and a half into the climb, we arrived at the view deck. Unfortunately for us, rain clouds block our view of the surroundings at that time. But if ever there is a clearing, one will be treated to a panoramic view of the other side of Cordillera. The view deck (clearing) is also a good place to rest.

PASKOOKUM 2016 - Mt. Pulag Elementary School; Duacan Primary School; Tinaleb Elementary School

"Happiness is not so much in having as sharing.

We make a living by what we get,

But we make a life by what we give."

                                                                -Norman Macewan-

As mentioned in my previous posts, while our initial plan for PASKOokum 2016 is to just return to Duacan Primary School for us to be able to reach out again to the kids that we bonded with last year, the unexpected surge of donations/sponsors, would be participants, and personal requests made by our contacts from other schools that sustained damage from the onslaught of Typhoon Lawin, made us decide to include all the students of Mt. Pulag Elementary School and Tinaleb Elementary School as recipients.

A daunting task as it may seem to do an outreach climb in three different schools who are located on the different sides of Mt. Pulag National Park, we gamely took this challenge so long as we can reach out and bring happiness to kids in the far flung areas. And this is our story.

Jump Shot with the cultural dancers of Mt. Pulag Elementary School

Duacan Primary School

The next-day morning at Tinaleb Elementary School with our kiddo friends.

While it was really a challenge at first, as we had to spend additional time collecting/picking up donations, buying additional stuff, revising the itinerary, coordinating with our contacts, and packing a lot of stuff, the thought of seeing more smiles and touching the lives of more people made the work look and feel easier.

A week before PASKOokum, donations poured in droves. Hence, our first dilemma was how to bring all these stuff (at least 4 huge balikbayan boxes, 12 sacks, a number of boxes, plastic, and eco bags, 2 guitars, books, among others) up in the Cordillera. So, here is how did we did it.

Thank you Sir for helping us transport some of the stuff to the bus stations. May you be blessed a thousandfold.

More or less half of the goodies were transported to Baguio City through a van. We then dividd ourselves into three (3) groups. The 1st group will leave for the City Pines the earliest, through the Joybus of the Genesis Bus. The 2nd group took the 11:00PM bus at Victory Liner Cubao Terminal. And the 3rd group were booked to take the 11:30 bus at the Victory Liner Pasay Terminal.

Ready to go!

Baguio City Market

Just to cut the winding story short, we ultimately left Baguio City for Kabayan, Benguet a shade before 0600H. After an hour, we had breakfast at Danao Rest Stop. Here, we also took the time to celebrate Jaime's birthday. Luckily, they brought a cake for us to dig in. As we went on, we decided to again made a brief courtesy call at the DENR Station. After a brief chat with Sir Roy and a few minutes of photo ops, we continued higher into the clouds, towards our 1st stop.

Happy Birthday Mam Jaime!

At Banao's

Kasya pa ang sampu...sa taas hehe.

Courtesy Call at the DENR

Astig nung shirt...ang ganda tingnan. :)

Mt. Pulag Elementary School - "The School Above the Clouds"

Located in Babalak (also Babadak), Bashoy, Kabayan, Benguet, Mt. Pulag Elementary School is touted to be "The Highest School in the Philippines". In this so-called "School Above the Clouds", we were welcomed by the excited smiles and curious stares of the students, some of whom have tagged along their parents just to be able to attend the Paskookum2016.

PASKOokum 2016 - Maraming salamat po!

Paskookum 2016 is a new high for the Skookum Mountaineers. We are elated to have created more than 400 smiles (we also gave simple gifts to parents, friends, the teachers, and kids who are not actually students of the three schools that we visited but just happened to be there). Though it was really tiring to try and beat the clock (with all the traveling and activities that we scheduled to do in a day), every effort that we shared was really meaningful. Ultimately, the smiles that we received, the warm reception that everyone extended, the friendships that we have created, the friendly banter that we have had with the kids, the laughter that we had together, much less, the magnifient view in the mountains, took all our troubles away and energized our weary souls.

Of course, we could not have given everything so much more without the genuine concern and generosity of our kindhearted sponsors. We share to you our pride and the unending heartfelt gratitude of all the students of Mt. Pulag Elementary School, Duacan Primary School, and Tinaleb Elementary School, including their parents, friends, teachers, and families.

To those whose names were inadvertently omitted from the list below, please accept our utmost apologies and we will surely update the list once we have confirmed the appropriate information:

Vanessa Cunanan & Family	Matimco Inc. Friends
St. Theresa's College Batch 97 friends	Mapet Caralde & Family
Aliah Travel and Tours	Martina Bontongon and Family
MJ Mallari	Rocamora Family
Sharon Firme Mendez	Daphne Maravilla
Dheck Vega	Jek Lambino
Arguelles Family	Glen Beason
ACMI Office Systems Phils., Inc. - Family	Percival Datayan
Amy Cruz	Maria Carol Saplala
Paragua Family	Maria Louella Lusong
Samonte Family	Verlie Gatchalian
Ray-Ryan Garduque	RJ Santiago
Zenaida Garduque	Tony and Team E1
Amado Garduque Jr.	Reppin Camanava Chapter
Aliza Kohata	Aloha Nietes Valdez
Angela Yazaki	Jocelyn Castro
Josette Marasigan	Chris Sabat
Maribel Asuncion	Manaois Family
Rose Salva	Quintin Beltran Jr.
Mary Grace Bibal	Marigil Santos
AIM Global Uplines	Angelo Matthew Santos
Loida Locsin	Orlando Cariaga
Edgardo Garduque	Rosalie Aiza Dela Cruz
Ericka Amrel	Willy Jimenez
Joy Naverra	Senen Quizon
Guia Sigua	Phil John Gil Wycoco
Pauline Soriano	Lucho Boom Boom
Marvin Dimarucut	Bryan Bognot & Friends
Nova Pascual	Lennon del Socorro
Jacie Jacinto Yu	Lorevie Mariano
Alvin Christian Madriaga	Geovanni Tacla
Catherine Santos	Nelson Apostol
Hendrix Calura	Charmaine Sarmiento

We likewise wish to acknowledge our anonymous donors, the teachers, benefactors, and parents at the three schools where we had our outreach activity, most especially to our guides, Mr. Santiago Ballagan and Mang Rudy, and our tireless and efficient driver who surprisingly still had the energy to drive us all the way back to Manila.

Lastly, the Skookum Mountaineers similarly acknowledges with utmost gratitude the priceless contributions of those who participated and joined us for #Paskookum 2016. This outreach climb would not have been a success if not for the assistance and support of the following kind, generous, thoughtful, and compassionate individuals. We look forward to you joining us again in our advocacy.

JR Arambulo	Ayn Arriola	Allan Calura
Tony Marquez	Denise Manahan	Jaime De Leon
Rome Tongohan	Johna Pascual	Isagani Dagdag
Sydney Reluya	Jhen Cordets	Bette Beltran
Sunshine Caralde	Gener De Guzman	Oliver Beltran
Jaime Joson Jr.	Eniv Belle
Andrie Samilo	JejomarCalura

***Credits to the real owners of the photos used in this post. Thanks a lot!

PASKOkookum 2016 - UPDATE

After conducting an ocular in Kabayan, Benguet the past weekend, and due to requests extended to us, the Skookum Mountaineers have decided that PASKOokum 2016 (December 10, 2016)will also involve two additional schools aside from Duacan Primary School in Tujakap, Duacan, Kabayan, Benguet.

Added to the list of beneficiaries are the students of Mt. Pulag Elementary School (also known as the highest school in the Philippines / the school above the clouds) in Babadak, Bashoy, Kabayan, Benguet, and Tinaleb Elementary School in Sitio Tinaleb, Ballay, Kabayan, Benguet. With this, PASKOokum 2016 will benefit more than 300 students.

We still encourage donations for this noble activity. You may contact us Skookum Mountaineers at the following numbers: +63 927 7470339, +63 906 4412618 and +63 917 5537819.

Tarak Ridge / Mt. Pulag - Rescued Hikers (Typhoon Karen)

With Typhoon Karen wreaking havoc in Central and Northern Luzon this past weekend, news has it that there are some hikers who were rescued in mountains located in the different parts of the country.

According to news reports, 100 hikers were rescued in Tarak Ridge in Mariveles Bataan,

Tarak Ridge - Rescued Hikers

Meanwhile, 16 hikers were supposedly rescued in Mt. Pulag due to the inclement weather that was brought about by Typhoon Karen.

According to reports, theses hikers tried to fight the bad weather out and pushed the hike until Camp 3 at the Ambangeg Trail, to no avail.

There are also reports over the net and mountaineering group pages that mention of another group of hikers that were stranded at the Akiki Trail.

Mt. Pulag via the Ambangeg Trail

Mt. Pulag - Rescue
16 trekkers rescued in Mt. Pulag
Tarak / Pulag - (Typhoon Karen)

Mt. Pulag - All trails are temporarily closed!

The Office of the Mt. Pulag National Park Superintendent has recently issued a declaration about the temporary closure of all trails leading to Mt. Pulag until Thursday this week.

The public is advised accordingly.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/17/16/mt-pulag-trekking-trails-closed-temporarily

PASKOokum 2016

The annual outreach climb of the Skookum Mountaineers dubbed as PASKOokum (from the words "Pasko" (Christmas) and "Skookum") will be held on December 10, 2016. This outreach climb will be held at the jumpoff point in the Akiki Trail, also popularly known as the killer trail of Mt. Pulag.

PASKOokum 2016 will be for the benefit of the students of Duacan Primary School in Tujakap, Duacan, Kabayan, Benguet. It is exactly the same place where we held PASKOokum 2015.

Everyone is invited to join this fun-filled activity where happiness will be shared. Should you have questions or wish to make your donations in support of this activity, you may comment below or contact the Skookum Mountaineers at the following numbers: +63 927 7470339, +63 906 4412618 and +63 917 5537819.

PASKOokum 2015 

Thankful for her chicken noodle soup

Playtime for the kids

School Supplies

#paskookum

Maysawa Circuit - Mt. Sa Pari traverse to Mt. Binutasan, traverse to Maysawa Falls / Sapa

“Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer.” 

                                                                                                                  ― John Muir

After months of not having a hike, we were choosing whether to climb Pico de Loro (before it eventually closes its trails for the meantime), or to climb one of the newest traipsing trails of Southern Sierra Madre. Obviously, taking into consideration the expected foot traffic, we opted to go for the latter and hike up the now famous Maysawa Circuit.

Welcome to Maysawa Circuit

Maysawa Circuit is referred as such by reason of two things. First, it is located within Sitio Maysawa (pronounced as "May Sawa", interpreted in English as "There is a Python."). Second, it is a Circuit because its series of trails offers climbing a number of peaks and mountains namely, Mt. Sa Pari and Mt. Binutasan.

The appellation Mt. Sa Pari ("owned by the priest" when interpreted in English) was derived from the fact that the adjoining lands in the mountain was supposedly previously owned by a priest. On the other hand, Mt. Binutasan was christened as such since this is supposedly where a road going to the adjoining Brgy. Sto. Niño was made. In the vernacular, according to our guide (Ryan), "binutas ang bundok para gunmawa ng daan".

A faint Mt. Irid (left) and Mt. Tukduang Banoi (right)

From LRT-2 Cubao Station, we traversed Aurora Boulevard, and went on our usual route up to Masinag and Cogeo in Antipolo City via the Marifanta / MariLaQue Highway. Owing to the fact that we have previously hiked up Mt. Paliparan, we are now familiar where to register in Cuyambay. Hence, upon seeing a number of vehicles parked on the left side of the road (just before the junction going to Cuyambay Proper), we immediately recognized the place as the trailhead to Maysawa Circuit.

Nonetheless, as it is mandatory for hikers to first register and secure a guide at the Barangay Hall, we continued towards Brgy. Cuyambay Proper. (Hopefully, a satellite office / registration area will be established at the Maysawa JOP so that hikers will no longer be required to go to Cuyambay).

When we arrived, the Brgy. Hall is teeming with activity. As a considerable number of hikers have just registered and were busy preparing their gears (supposedly to climb Mt. Paliparan or Nagpatong Rock), groups of hikers continue to arrive. Obvious signs that Cuyambay has etched its own mark in the world of mountaineering / hiking. The local guide assigned to assist us during the climb is Ryan.

It was already a few ticks after 0700H when we left the trailhead / Maysawa Junction and started hiking. We hopped on the trail giddily, as we were enthusiastic to be back hiking. Hence, we politely declined the offer of riding the habal-habal. As we followed the dirt path, we snaked through the residential area and eventually passed by the makeshift basketball court. Then we reached the concrete part of the road, which according to Ryan, signifies that we are now nearing the rest house of a famous actor / actress. The end of the pavement ends at the habal-habal station, which incidentally is where patrons of the habal-habal are drop. Propitiously, the road / trail continued to dip, and to our amazement (as lady luck may have smiled to us), the sea of clouds were still prominent at that time.

Pico de Loro - To be closed indefinitely starting October 1, 2016

As per the DENR-PAMB in Maragondon, Cavite, which also serves as the Jump Off Point (JOP) for hikes going to Pico de Loro, the mountain will be closed for all hiking activities starting October 1, 2016. This closure is supposedly being implemented to let the mountain heal due to the damage that was supposedly brought about by the chronic number of hikers who there especially during weekends and holidays.

Pico de Loro

The Monolith

Many are hopeful that this plan would finally push through since news of such closure has been around the mountaineering circles as early as the second quarter of this year, after the announcement of the closure of the Monolith to hiking activities (which was not followed by some climbers).

Updates will be posted here as soon as we receive the information.


Tramping Advisory 016
009.010.016
Pico de Loro - Indefinite Closure

Brown Trekker -

Brown Trekker
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