Mount Pulag

Welcome to Mount Pulag

The coldest mountain of the country,
and, the 3rd highest.
It is 2,922 masl.

My first time was a sea of rain during the rainy season of July 2015.

I was traveling with a group of friends that time.

I promise to return in the calm day.

As promises are to be kept.

This time,
I was with my long time friend: Mark.

Day 1:

We took the Genesis bus liner from EDSA Cubao to Baguio. 

The bus terminal is along New York Avenue.

Travel time is 6 hours. 

We left Manila at 10 am arriving Baguio City around 4 pm.

The fare is P456 each.

From the terminal, took a taxi to get us around the Baguio City
Php 100.
We could have walked, but it was raining. Taking the taxi here is cheap.

We stayed in Prime Hotel along the Session Road.

The standard room rate is Php 1400, fan room with breakfast, good for 2. 

This is also near the Burnham Park.

Chill.. rest
and walk around the Burnham Park in the calm cold evening.

We had dinner at Jack's along the Session Road.

A bountiful meal for Php150 each.

Day 2:

Good morning Baguio!

After breakfast, we stroll in Burnharm Park.

We walked downtown of the famous and busy street of the Session Road
before going to the Slaughterhouse Bus terminal.

Took a taxi for Php 100, good for 2.

We had the non-aircon bus to Kabayan.
It was one of the best road trip for 3-4 hours.
The bus fare is Php 100, each.

Passing by the Ambuklao Reservoir.
We just tell the driver to dropped us in DENR of Mount Pulag.

We do not have the medical certificate
which is now required before climbing the mountain.
We hired a motorbike from DENR to the hospital.

The medical certificate is Php 100 each.

The motorbike fee is Php 50 each, round trip

We were the only 2 lost souls.. getting the medical check up in that fair day.

The seminar/awareness talk of the DENR took 25 minutes.
Most climbers flock during the weekend.
We were the only two who attended it, logged in our names
and pay the fee.

The DENR Registration fee is Php 350 each.

Did I tell you to make an advance reservation before climbing?
There are days that this mountain is jampacked
and, they limit the number of climbers.

Yes, respect and protect.
No climbing on stormy days.
Climbing solo is okay.. with a guide.

We hired the motorbike again to take us to Babadak or the Ranger station.

The fee is Php 250 each. 1 way.
We asked them to pick us up the next day at 11 am.

It was a rough adventure ride for 45 minutes.

The scenic view is great, though.

There is an Environmental fee of Php 80 each.
The local guide of Php 600 for 2.

Our transient house is Php 200 each.
It's just 7 steps away from the Registration Center.

Please follow the white sign board. (Pardon my skill for editing)

We had late lunch.
This is what I like most in this place:
Food is easily cold due to temperature, they reheat it before serving.
Our late lunch was Php 75, each.

We are the restless souls I supposed as so we stroll a little bit,
to see the little community.

Then, chill and relax as we prepared for the early morning climb.

We agreed to meet with our local guide at 1 am.

Mount Pulag is known for its stunning sunrise with the sea of clouds.
There are other 3 more routes to the summit.
The easiest way is the Ambangeg trail.

(The break of dawn and the moon)

The ascend will take 45 minutes to the first station.

This is the mossy forest.

The second part is 30- 45 minutes trek.
This one is the easiest.
This is also the 1st camping ground.

The 3rd part is to the summit.
Passing by the 2nd camping ground.

Passing.. seeing the beautiful landscape of the mountain ranges.
This is the bare part of the mountain.

As per DENR, it is bare with no trees growing due to elevation and temperature.
It is unique and gorgeous, though.

Then, the summit.
It illuminates a picture of a thousand landscape.
All vivid and pure.

We waited for about 30 minutes, hiding in the bamboo forest,
protecting us from the cold wind.
It is my knee high.. and, am not that tall.

Ah! There are only thin clouds and not the sea of them during our climb.
but, it is better than not reaching the summit.

*pctto.
This is one of the epic sea of clouds photo.



My sweet promise of waiting.
The sunrise in the summit.
It was amazing.

I always love the sunrise ❤

Some mountain range just below the summit.



It was an interesting morning climb.
I took all these photos going back as there was nothing to see on the ascend..
except, the constellation.. the dark night and cold wind.

My mountain climber friend Mark, and his blotted Pica.
We also met 2 good people along the way; Claud and Devon.

Our kind and good tour guides.
I was busy taking pictures.. and my 3 folks left me.
Our tour guide was patient enough to wait for me while the other guide lead them back.
I don't mind being left alone, actually.

We had late breakfast.
Then, prepared our stuff to leave the Ranger station.
Our motorbike drivers returned for us as agreed.
The fare is the same, Php 250, each.

We returned to the DENR to log out.

We took the van back for Php 120 each.

Stopping over to this same place for lunch. I was here few months ago.

There is a hanging bridge in this place.

We arrived Baguio city late afternoon, took a taxi to the Genesis Bus liner.
Php 100, good for 2.

And, sleep all the way back to Manila.

The same fare of Php 456, each.

You can take Victory bus liner, but most times, they are fully booked.

Life is what you make it.

Expenses:

When I join a group of 20: Php 2500.

With just 1 companion: Php 3500, each.

The only advantage is I had the option to chose our time, destination and activities.