A month ago when I climbed Mt.
Pulag with a friend and yes it’s still
fresh from my memory of the adventure and stupidity we had during our
expedition. Based on experience, I have these tips that I'd like to share for
those who are planning a duo hike to pulag or a small group of 3 to 5 persons.
You can visit pinoymountaineer.com for news and updates and accuweather for you
to know the weather during your climb. Set your date of climb a month ahead and
you have to inform the Protected Area Superintendent (PASU) a week before your
schedule of climb. Send a text message about the date and number of persons in
your group,here’s the cp number of (PASU)
Ma’am Emerita Albas a.k.a Ma’am Mereng - +639196315402. Wait for a reply
from them, if you received nothing, probably that means 'yes' you can
climb.(wala lang sigurong load pangtext sa ibang network). Then all you need is
to have the guts to pursue your wildest dream ever.
So you have the date of when to climb the mountain you've been dreaming for so long? Just make sure you already have the gears/equipment for your quest, and of course, the "mammon" or 'pera.' And if you could have some exercises before your climb, that's better! At least a couple of hours of jogging everyday will bring an improvement to your lungs for breathing. Though you can survive without this, the advantage is just you're not getting tired easily during the trek, you'll able to capture those breath-taking views without catching your breath.
Okay? Ok! Let's say that you're ready and brave enough to the adventure. Next is buy your ticket at least 3 days before the travel date. As of October 2013, the bus fare cost about Php445.00 from Victory Liner Cubao Station to Baguio. Another option aside from reservation is by a “chance passenger”, these passengers don’t have their reservations and will cause a delay of 1.5 to 2 hours. By the way, consider the season of when to climb, most number of climbers is during lenten season. Mt. Pulag has limited slots of hikers so getting an update is important, just 'google' it! And if you found out your chosen date is a crowded one, don't hesitate to move it earlier or later for the sake of the mountain. If you're going to ask me what is the best date to climb, I would suggest these dates:
October- 3rd to 4th week
November- 1st to last week
December- 1st to last week. It's up to you if you'd like to celebrate the 'noche buena' up there at the campsite or a 'media noche' on New Year ’s Day.
January up to 1st week of June is still okay. And since lenten season is a 'peak' season (during March or April), it is important to inform them(PASU) thru text so they could give you feedback and/or the situation of the venue.
Let's now move on to your gears/equipment. I would suggest the things you have to bring because I don’t want you to experience the consequence of not having these. Actually, these are some of the equipment we didn’t have in Pulag.
So you have the date of when to climb the mountain you've been dreaming for so long? Just make sure you already have the gears/equipment for your quest, and of course, the "mammon" or 'pera.' And if you could have some exercises before your climb, that's better! At least a couple of hours of jogging everyday will bring an improvement to your lungs for breathing. Though you can survive without this, the advantage is just you're not getting tired easily during the trek, you'll able to capture those breath-taking views without catching your breath.
Okay? Ok! Let's say that you're ready and brave enough to the adventure. Next is buy your ticket at least 3 days before the travel date. As of October 2013, the bus fare cost about Php445.00 from Victory Liner Cubao Station to Baguio. Another option aside from reservation is by a “chance passenger”, these passengers don’t have their reservations and will cause a delay of 1.5 to 2 hours. By the way, consider the season of when to climb, most number of climbers is during lenten season. Mt. Pulag has limited slots of hikers so getting an update is important, just 'google' it! And if you found out your chosen date is a crowded one, don't hesitate to move it earlier or later for the sake of the mountain. If you're going to ask me what is the best date to climb, I would suggest these dates:
October- 3rd to 4th week
November- 1st to last week
December- 1st to last week. It's up to you if you'd like to celebrate the 'noche buena' up there at the campsite or a 'media noche' on New Year ’s Day.
January up to 1st week of June is still okay. And since lenten season is a 'peak' season (during March or April), it is important to inform them(PASU) thru text so they could give you feedback and/or the situation of the venue.
Let's now move on to your gears/equipment. I would suggest the things you have to bring because I don’t want you to experience the consequence of not having these. Actually, these are some of the equipment we didn’t have in Pulag.
Portable/camping stove- it’s really
cold up there, you have to drink something hot. Otherwise, you’ll chill the
whole night. I was just thankful I brought a tiny candle, it lessens the
coldness by rubbing my hands in front of it.
Camera/Digicam- that time, all I
had was my Sony Ericsson C510 with an
extra full-battery, good enough to capture views. At least, I have an evidence
of being there. Just felt sorry for lending it to my sister-in-law. Wala tuloy
akong camera!
Aside from the two equipment that
caused us so much regret of not having them, the rest brought a big help in
every part of the adventure.
2 jackets with hood(overnight at camp 2)- not enough for me
and I suggest you to bring another one, make it three!
Rain coat (during the trek)- you need this simply because
the weather is unpredictable. Unfortunately my buddy lost it, hoping him to pay for its lost. Chong palitan mo yung kapote ko! Hehe!
Shoes/socks(overnight at camp 2)- I put on my socks and
shoes before the Iights off but my toes still getting numb. So for you, much
better to wear two pairs of socks and then
your shoes.
Gloves- my gloves that time was my used socks, and of course it stinks, so don’t forget to
bring one.
Hat/head gear/cap/bonnet- for me it’s an optional but good
to have at least one. When we’re on the trail, I had a “lampin” in my pocket
rather than a face towel. It’s more absorbent and dries faster than a usual
face towel. So if you don’t have a hat, this will do enough to cover your head
and to wipe out sweatiness. What else? The rest depends on your instinct.
So now, when you get to Baguio, let’s say 7:30am which is
your ETA. Ride a taxi going to slaughter house, meter should only cost Php55,
so ask before you say “go.” There are at the slaughter house, two types of
transport vehicle are available to drop you off to DENR Visitor’s Ctr., “A-LINER”
bus and/or “van.” The first trip of the bus starts at
around 10am while the van will leave at 8:30am. Syempre, dun tayo sa mas maaga!
Fare is Php120 per head. Three hours of travel time, one stop-over for you to
have your snacks or lunch. Pwede rin naman mag-lunch sa DENR Visitor’s Center
or sa Ranger Station na before the trek.
At the DENR, an hour of orientation, logging-in and Php150 for Registration.
After that, time for the “habal-habal!” Php300 for an hour of a “rough-road
ride of a lifetime.” Kapit lang po ng sobrang higpit!
At the Ranger station, you have to pay another fee worth
Php160 per head and a guide fee of Php500. And if you’re ready to trek, your
stomach should be ready too. I advise to take a heavy meal first before your “start-trek” adventure. Once done, you may
begin. Enjoy!
That’s all for now,
hope you find this helpful. Feel free to leave a comment, question and I’ll try
to give the best answer as long as I can.
Much better if you could make your questions
in tagalog because I really
struggle to construct the correct grammar for my posts. Hehe! Thank you very
much!
To God Be The Glory!
