>> Part I. The Road to Mt. Pulag
Comprised a six-hour bus ride from Quezon City to Baguio, then a four-hour jeepney ride to Mt. Pulag National Park.

Part II. Hike to Base Camp
We took the Ambangeg Trail, which was 6 kilometers long. Though not too difficult compared to the other trails, it was still strenuous at times because of the higher elevation.

Part III. The Grassland
At an elevation of 2600 meters, forests give way to wide open grassland, which make up 5% of the mountain's vegetative cover.

Part IV. The Summit
There are no words for the wondrous view at Mt. Pulag's peak. Elevation: 2,922 meters.

Part V. Hike Back To Ranger Station
We headed back a day early to escape the cold of night (about 5 degrees Celsius).

Part VI. Return To The City
Our jeepney ride down the mountain meant two hours of grabbing on to something.. anything!

Part VII. Baguio City
Back to where we could get normal food and rice that's actually cooked.

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Mt. Pulag Experience
Part I: The Road To Mt. Pulag


The map on the back of Alon's t-shirt, showing Mt. Pulag's trails and landmarks. Our route highlighted in yellow.
Me and Alon on the bus. We left Victory Liner station in Cubao at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 17th.
Most of our group: Clockwise from top, Darl, Err, Dwin, Cy, Alon and Rona. Not in pic: Glen, Ubay, Chad.
1 a.m. outside Victory Liner station in Baguio City, with members from other hiking groups including the Anino Mountaineers. Waiting for some folks on the bus arriving at 2.

Once they got there, we moved our stuff inside the bus station to wait for our jeep. Me and Err with buses in the background.
Past 2 a.m., waiting for the jeep that we hired for PHP9,000 (split among 18 people).
We left the bus station sometime after 2 a.m. and headed for Mt. Pulag. About two hours into the trip, we made a stop at Ambuklao Dam.
Here's everybody looking a little dazed from trying to sleep during the ride.

Me and Alon at the dam.
Everybody.
Dwin and Glen pretending to pee... or are they?
Arrived at DENR station on Mt. Pulag at around 5 a.m. tired and sleepless and cold. It was cold!

Sign outside the DENR station.
Glen, Ubs and company hanging out inside the office while we signed in and waited for the required seminar.
Looking at pictures and info about Mt. Pulag. Glen, Dex, Ubs, Dwin and Alon.
Diagram of the mountain's vegetative cover by elevation.

"Class picture" of everyone before the seminar. Not all of us look quite awake.
On the way to the Ranger Station and the trail head. The road was winding, uphill, unpaved and so rocky that we kept sliding off the seats. Here we got off the jeep so it could get unstuck and back on the little narrow concrete tirepaths whenever they were there. 		 

 

Part II. Hike to Base Camp