MT. PULAG REVISITED VIA AMBANGEG TRAIL

This Mt. Pulag climb was the final leg of our preparation for Mt. Kinabalu.  Together with guests from the real estate industry, we left the Metro for Baguio City at 11pm.  Some friends bound for MFPI Mt. Ugo Annual Climb shared our transpo… I was so envious because Mt. Ugo was originally in our Mt. Kinabalu prep list but because of the Mt. Pulag guests, Mt. Ugo was foregone…  Along our way, we were chatting and teasing each other --- Ugo, Ugo, Ugo.. then.. Pulag, Pulag, Pulag..

At 430 am, we reached Baguio City where our chartered jeep was already waiting… After we loaded our stuff, off we’re bound for DENR.  Orientation was already on-going for the earlier group but ours took longer than expected… well… It was already past 10 when we finished but because of the paved road [with construction works on-going in several parts] we made to the Ranger Station in an hour. … I have split feelings seeing the road and other developments in the area… Also, I witnessed how the “tours” have changed the management of the place.  Well…

With plenty of time to spare, we decided to have lunch before we trek.  The local “adobo” and sautéed fresh vegetables courtesy of Ate Gina served as our energy booster for the trek ahead.

At about 12nn after the weighing of porter’s load, our trek began… The summer heat made our “pine tree” trek a speedy one and we managed to reach the camp 1 ascend in 40 minutes.  The petty shade of the pines are valued like cactus tree in the desert but even in the forest, we fumbled for air as we trekked to Camp 1. We pushed further for an open area but as we reached Camp 1, it was full of climbers… Clutching our breath, we continued our trek and rested along the trail.

Finally after the countless rests and rambles, we reached Camp 2 at 3pm…  Several tents were already up and most of the areas were reserved for the bigger tour groups.  What was left to us was a partially inclined camp... well, that did for the night.

We had a little “socials” to strip off some cold but shortly at 8pm we called it off.  Even at summertime, the temperature at night was still about 8-10 degrees.  Fortunately, rain evaded our night….

At 230am, everyone was up priming for the summit trek.  After a quick coffee and a noodle soup, we crawled towards the summit.  I recalled that during those days, you can rest or speed up at your pace but now, due to the heavy volume of climbers, it was like a race to the top.  A short stop can briskly put you at the end of the line… Huh…

It was 530am when we reached the summit with one member still brawling his way due to a sprained ankle.  We were not  blessed with a sea of clouds scenery but the view of the crescent moon waiting for the sunlight made it up.

We started descent at 630am.  I had pre-conditioned myself of the view of the summit trail as revealed by the sun. But even so, the sight of a heavily-used and numerous trail crushed my heart.  

I kept praying and hoping that this be addressed the soonest.  Stone paving by the DENR have long started but was on hold awaiting budget availability.   I wished that soon, as in very soon, a single trail all the way up be established to lessen climbers impact.  Sigh…

By 9am, we were on our way down.  The traffic on the trail plus our injured member has caused plenty of stops and waiting.  Even if it took 4 hours to return to Ranger Station, we were all safe, rested and intact.  Until next time Mt. Pulag…

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BENGUET | MT. PULAG - AMBANGEG TRAIL
  

Travel Date: April 2013