Its been two months since I climb Mount Pulag for the very first time. And it takes me a lot of time to re-collect all the thoughts and experienced I gained during the climb. The climb was organized by Sir Ceejay Custodio of Green Mountain Tribe. It cost P2, 800.00 per head. He was introduced by Ate Ariane, our high school batch mate. The climb was somehow a quite "high school reunion", because all of my climb mates were my high school friends and classmates plus their other acquaintances. Of course I am with my boyfriend, Alfred, whom is totally a mountain lover (were so opposite on that).
We left Pasay City aboard Victory Liner going to Baguio City last February 22, 2014 at around 9:00 pm. We arrived at Baguio City by 3:00 am and we spent our hours at Caltex in front of Victory Liner terminal waiting for our other companions.
 |
| Oh!!! Fully packed!!! :) |
 |
Victory Liner at Pasay City with my High School Buddies
|
 |
| That is our monster jeep. Those are our guides That lady in pink is Mam Chill (ow, back shot) and the guy in red jacket is Sir Ceejay. :) |
It was really cold at Baguio that time so I decided to take some Strawberry "taho". Upon waiting, I saw a floral float for Panagbenga Festival, and I decided to take pictures with the float. It was already 4:30 in the morning when we proceed en route Benguet. It was nearly 6:00 am when we arrived at Aling Gina's place to take our breakfast (included in our package). After that we proceeded on our trip. We had our stop over at Ambuklao Dam, and the view was really amazing.
After the stop over we proceeded to the DENR for a short orientation of the climbers (that is a compulsory).
After the orientation we went to the ranger station riding in the monster jeep. That was a very bumpy and dusty road to the foot of Mount Pulag. The group normally started a prayer before proceeding the climb.
And the rest is history, God was so good that time, because He allowed our team to experience and witness the sun rise and the sea of clouds.. That was really amazing!! It seems we are in the different part of the world.. :)
On Our way up, we unexpectedly met our High batch mate and Salutatorian, Rona Cappal (the one with a red hat). She climbed Pulag a day before us, and she was her way down. That was quiet an unexpected reunion. :)
 |
| Even though we are quite tired, we tend to stop and experience nature by taking pictures.. |
It was 3:30 in the morning the following day, when we proceed to the summit. It was a 30-40 minutes ascend, and as you goes close to the summit, we experienced shortness of breathe because there is a thin air at that height. And the temperature drops at 2 degrees and that was so called that time. I personally experienced altitude sickness, and thermal blankets are not in use. 3-6 layers of clothing is needed depending on your body resistance on cold weather. However, despite the coldness, we managed to reach the summit, and that was one kind of an experience.
Mount Pulag (or sometimes Mount Pulog by the native) is the 3rd highest mountain in the Philippines (but is currently the official 2nd highest). It is Luzon's highest peak at 2,922 meters above sea level. The borders between the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya meet at the mountain's peak.
Because of its high elevation, the climate on Mount Pulag is temperate with rains predominating the whole year. Rainfall on the mountain averages 4,489 mm yearly with August being the wettest month with an average rainfall of 1,135 mm. Snow has not fallen on its top in at least the past 200 years. (www.wikipedia.com)
There are lots of websites and other blogs that will tell you the "things to bring" when climbing Mt. Pulag. The temperature here is really cold, that's why you have to gear up to clothe you from extreme coldness... :)
There are lots of websites and other blogs that will tell you the "things to bring" when climbing Mt. Pulag. The temperature here is really cold, that's why you have to gear up to clothe you from extreme coldness... :)
