Post by obijuan on Jul 7, 2006 9:39:00 GMT 8
A TRAIL TO REMEMBER: MOUNT PULAG WEEKEND GETAWAY
Just want to share my account of a journey to the top of the highest mountain (in Luzon, at least) on an ordinary weekend by nine (9) ordinary but eager folks with simple desires. This happened during the weekend of Manny Pacquioa’s fight on July 1-2, 2006, so we missed watching his fight but we got something better—a memorable once-in-a-lifetime-experience….to the max!
I got a text invitation from an old (well, still young pa daw siya) trail-buddy and friend of mine Mr. Guwapito Joey Medina of Tarlac a week before the scheduled trip. Being hungry for some exotic trail sites, I accepted of course and had myself listed.
Preparing my things on the eve of Friday night, I couldn’t decide which stuff to bring along. So finally just packed it all and brought the whole kitchen sink along….
Being the lone rider coming from Manila, I left around way past 3am and hurriedly drove my Whoooppieee Machine at breakneck speeds via McDonald’s, er, MacArthur’s Highway to Tricycle hell towards Burnham park in Baguio where we were set to meet up. Landed at 8am, the Tarlac group arrived there at 2am, because they mostly came from Tarlac anyway, so….
As soon as everybody was accounted for, nine (9) of us fully-geared up riders set off towards the route to La Trinidad and Ambuklao Dam. The road in that area gave our bikes the much needed warm up as it was all dirt and rocks and what-have-you everything belonging to a non-cemented road.
As a bonus, I got myself a sweet one-inch nail in my rear tire. Luckily, I had mounted a rim lock so I was able to drive my bike for another 16 kilometers to the nearest Vulcanizing Saloon…
We all had our lunch around 2pm somewhere in the middle of Bokod called Inidian.
We were able to arrive at the DENR Ranger Station around 4pm and registered our names along with paying the fee of P175.00 which comes with a free movie passes plus seminar conducted by a lady official about how not to get lost and die in the wilderness of Mt. Pulag.
After that short and long briefing (whew, finally!), we went to another ranger station further up in the mountains called BABADAK where our biking days would be over, at least for the duration of the trail. This is because only hiking is allowed beyond that point, or so we were told…
Going there to the 2nd ranger station was supposed to be just a drive of about one (1) hour from the DENR office. But it turned out to be an ordeal as it proved to be one of the toughest parts of our trail riding careers. This is due to the many contributing factors such as time, climate, terrain, excitement, boredom (from the seminar), hunger, fear (of the dark), lack of sleep, lack of love, lack of knobbies, oh you get the point…. In short, when we arrived at 9pm all we could ever think about is food, food, food and rest, rest, rest…!!
It’s interesting how any kind of food can taste so delicious when one is starving and almost drained to the ground. “This taste like chicken….” said one as we pounded on whatever food lies in the table. There was Tuna, a variety of Tuna and another kind of Tuna…. Uuuhhhmmm, so yummy!
After getting barely enough sleep, our good guide for the day, Mr. Alex, arrived to wake us all up at 3am. We left the camp by 3:30am and started our ascend to the summit to somehow catch Mr. Sun off his guard and so the race was on….! It was kind of drizzling so we brought our raingears along with tons of stuff in anticipation of a good picnic climb to the peak. Also, the cold climate at that time was chilly to the bones at 16 degrees.
Since the eight (8) kilometer distance from the base camp to the summit should only take us about three (3) hours, but being first-time and inexperienced mountain climbers, most of us rested every few hundred meters. So in a new world record, we took it in double the time in six (6) hours to reach the top of the world! Thank you, thank you…thanks very much!
Along the way, there were many interesting things to see like unfamiliar insects and plants and fertilizing substance from animal manure, etc. Near the peak is the famous grassland summit where you will find yourself in a movie where you can sing your hearts out to the tune of….. “Narda…!??”
It was almost a magical moment to be walking among the clouds! At more than 9,645 feet above the sea level, the very narrow and sloping trail, just one wrong footing in the single track path could send you rolling downhill and make you disappear magically indeed as you’ll be located in the ditch just below the mountains….
There are several ways to reach the peak of Mount Pulag. The one we took was the shortest and easiest as it was the “Executive trail”, as described by locals. But this being a first time virgin, establishing mountain climb for most of us, it was anything but easy.
Especially for me, having had lack of sleep and hurriedly traveled for more than 260 kilometers, I can feel my body was just complaining already. Being the last one to reach the top, I was hampered by a terrible splitting headache which would not go away after taking several tablets. I should have given up and turned around to base camp. But no, a mere hammer-pounding, head-banging physical condition would not be a hindrance for me to make it through and finish the climb. No matter what, I think to myself, “I think I can, I think I can, etc….” And then, crawling my way towards the top, had to stop and rest every few inches just to catch some air, which is somewhat getting thinner…
And finally, after the gruesome ordeal and pains-taking drama of struggling to survive the climb, I made it, we all made it…alive!! Upon reaching the peak everybody was already munching away the food brought along for the picnic. I was told to grab whatever was left of the deliciously prepared chicken (flavored) sandwich spread on tasty bread. Oh the handsome rewards of being on top of the world! (Burp….excuse me!)
We stayed there for about an hour or so because we found it for ourselves the truth about the saying, “it’s lonely at the top…”
While starting our descent back to base camp, another group of trail hikers came by and to our amazement; these were a Korean family with an 8-year old kid seemingly making the climb like it was on level ground. Geez, must be a kid on steroids or his father could be using some mystical trick to persuade the child to keep pressing on… like carrot on stick approach or something. Still, it made us feel like somewhat encouraged that if a kid can do it easily, wait until he turns 30 yrs with a fat beer-belly and brittle bones and so on…. (But he’s Korean, so there must be some ginseng implanted in him).
The hike going back to the base camp was less difficult as it was downhill anyway and it only took around three (3) hours or so to arrive. Everyone was taking their time to appreciate the magnificent view around while walking downward; every opportunity to snap some pictures was taken just like any eco-tourist would have done.
After having eaten lunch and rested for some hours, the group left the ranger station by past 4pm. Well, of course we had to pay our very patient and helpful guide for his services in aiding the elderly among us and carrying some of our loads. Thank you Mr. Alex!
Each one of us had to cough up 100 pesos plus voluntary donation of any amount for the maintenance of the Ranger station fun house and for keeping the world peace and order (at least in that village).
Pardon me folks... Although this may not be exactly Mountain bike related, but was done with motorbikes, still there's the common ground (bike) of the love that we all share about exploring trails with two wheels... Plus, if another chance would arise, I'd definitely go back there again on a lightweight MTB (I wish...). So peace to you all and have a nice day...
Well, the fun, the excitement and the experience was definitely worth the pay…! If ever, the next time would be sweeter, the love would grow deeper, there won’t be messing around for this one life experience with Mother Nature, a deep sense of appreciation to our environment that makes us aware of what our big responsibility is to preserve, relish and nurture what was loaned to us… bow!
Cheers!!