Mt. Pulag via Akiki Trail

"Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so that you can see the world, not so the world can see you."

                                                                                                   - David McCullough Jr.

The Akiki Trail leading up to Mt. Pulag (Luzon's ceiling) is known for its reputation as the most difficult route. As such, while most climbers choose to scale Mt. Pulag through the Ambangeg Trail (celebrity trail), in contrast, only a few dare to hike up Luzon's highest peak through this fabled "killer trail".

Mt. Pulag

Skookum

Mt. Pulag Summit - Just relieved that we made it through Akiki

While stories about the Akiki experience is customary in social media and in the internet, passionate mountaineers still dream to experience what it really is like to hike up this dreaded trail into the "Playground of the gods."

As there were remaining slots left in the group organized by our fellow Skookum Mountaineer, we decided to join the StourS in its Akiki-Ambangeg climb.Since we were actually last-minute joiners, Gani and I had to try our luck at the Genesis Bus Station in Cubao, Quezon City for a ride going to Baguio City. It was just unfortunate for us that they only had one cancellation for the Joybus. Hence, we chance passengers were forced to wait and just hail a bus along EDSA. Fortunately, at 2300H, a Genesis Bus (coming from the Dagupan Bus Station on the other side of EDSA, stopped. For us on a race against the clock, sitting on the bus conductor's seat and the platform beside the driver is always better than not having the luxury of time. Hence, we agreed to bus conductor's offer for us to take those respective seats until we reach Binalonan, Pangasinan, where a bus passenger will first alight from the bus. As to the second, it will be as far as Pugo. La Union. Still, we considered ourselves lucky because our bus will traverse the TPLEX and will take the exit in Urdaneta City.

We finally arrived in Baguio City at 0330H and as we still had much time to spare, we decided to eat Beef Pinapaitan in one of the eateries at the Baguio Central Terminal. From there, we went to the nearby 7-11 convenience store to buy our final provisions. At 0415H, we decided to hail a cab and proceed to slaughterhouse terminal.

As there were already a number of UV Express Vans waiting for passengers (only later did we discover that most actually are not going to Kabayan), we were upbeat that we are going to arrive at the Jump Off Point in Duacan at 0800H. At 0530H, another passenger arrived and joined us in waiting for other passenger inside the van. As a result of the ensuing boredom, we dozed-off and was awakened when the other passenger alighted from the van and ultimately proceeded to ride the UV Van bound for Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

Worried that it was already 0730H, we eventually decided to pay for the fare of the whole van as long as we arrive in Duacan at 0930H.

Alone at the back...."Kabayan...Kabayan kayo diyan! Maluwag pa!"

True to his word, Manong Driver effortlessly negotiated the twists and turns of the Benguet Nueva Vizcaya Highway and by 0840H, we are already at the junction in Gurel. At 0920H, we finally arrived at the JOP in Duacan, and how good it really felt to be back.

So we paid for the entire van

Tara na!

So...the sign says it all

Starting the arduous trek

After a few minutes of photo-ops, we had to negotiate the steep climb to the Ranger Station. As we were nearing the Station, we were surprised that our companions (as organized by the S'tourS) were still there waiting for us.

Once at the Akiki Ranger Station, we were met by the warm smiles and greetings from the locals, who have recalled us as the mountaineers who conducted outreach programs at the nearby primary school. As the mother of Sir Geronimo put it, "Welcome Back Sir! You bring good tidings to the people of Duacan!". It was just so nice seeing them again, much less, knowing that they remembered us.

Mt. Pulag - Tramping Advisory - Weather Updates

From the Mt-Pulag-National-Park-Bulletin:

"Mt.Pulag weather update: February 18, 2017 6:00 am

It is raining in Mt.Pulag this morning. All trekkers are advised to CANCEL trip for the next day. Temperature drop is estimated at 3 degrees at the Babadak Ranger Station. Camping at grassland camp sites are NOT ALLOWED TODAY.

All trekkers at the Akiki trail shall camp at the Marlboro camp site. NO CAMPING AT THE SADDLE CAMP."

For more details and clarifications, you may contact any of these mobile phone numbers: 09291668864 or 09103010423. You may likewise click on this link Mt-Pulag-National-Park-Bulletin for further  details from the Facebook page of the Mt. Pulag National Park Management.

"My two-cents...just follow the advisory. I have personally experienced how the weather can be brutal even just in Babadak although it is calm and quiet at the DENR in Ambangeg."

Tramping Advisory 0017

002.018.017

Mt. Pulag - Hiking / Camping Advisory - Weather Updates

Laiban Quatro - Mt. Lubo, Mt. Ngusong Kabayo traverse to Tangwa Peak + (Laiban Falls)

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
                                                                                          - T.S. Eliot 

Since we were badly in need for a tune-up climb for our upcoming climb in Akiki, and having no idea to go, we decided to join an organized climb for a change. After threshing out the details from Kagawad, we were in no time up and about to tramp in the newest hiking hotbed in Tanay, Rizal, the Laiban Quatro.

Mt. Ngusong Kabayo

Upon arriving at Sitio Mayagay, our vehicle went straight to and parked at the basketball court. We then transferred to the monster jeep that will take us to Brgy. Laiban. As we were at least fifty (50) in the group, a good number of participants decided to topload. It was one cold and bumpy ride to Laiban since the usual morning mists were accompanied a drizzle. After forty minutes and nine (9) river crossings, we finally arrived at the Brgy. Hall in Laiban.

Laiban Brgy. Hall

Surprisingly, there are already a lot of hikers (one big group handled by an organizer) taking time to register. As for us, we just waited for our turn and decided to sit on the wooden benches in the makeshift stalls just opposite the Brgy. Hall. After we have logged-in, we were led to the house of Kagawad to re-group and for some to drink coffee and eat breakfast.

Sign in front of Kagawad Toto's home

It was already 0540H when we left the house of Kagawad. At the Brgy. Hall, we had a briefing as to what we are going to expect during the hike. After a short prayer, we settled ourselves into smaller groups (there are four of us in our group). And at 0555H, we were off and commenced hiking.

From the main road in Laiban, we backtrailed for about a hundred meters, turned right toward, and followed a footpath in between residential houses until we ascended into the mountain trail. As rain poured throughout the previous night, it was already one muddy and slippery climb from that point on. As we were told, our first stop would be Mt. Lubo, then proceed to Mt. Ngusong Kabayo, traverse to Tangwa Peak, and then take the backtrail to Mt. Lubo before turning left for the descent towards the famed four (4) waterfalls of Laiban.

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.