Hanging bridge

Pagod. Have to take a rest before pushing through Camp 2 :)

Finally! Camp Site 2! :) 5pm, January 7.

I wasn't able to take pictures of our camping. No batt and it was too cold to go outside. When we reached Camp Site 2, we immediately set up our tents. I asked Ate Nora and Kuya Rod if I can join them in their tent. I took a nap and woke up at 6pm because it was bitterly cold. My feet and hands were wet and cold. It was raining in Mt. Pulag. Water got inside our tent due to the bad weather. We have to put our things inside plastic bags. My sleeping bag and rain gear were all wet due to the moist and water getting inside the tent. We tried to warm ourselves by rubbing eficascent oil in our hands and feet and stuck with each other. It rained every once in a while during the night. I wasn't able to sleep soundly and felt like the world will end soon (haha). Then, it's frustrating that due to bad weather we can't climb to Mt. Pulag's summit early in the morning. I can't see the sun rise and the beauty of the clouds. :( I was almost there but it pains me that I can't go.

But as the saying goes, there's a rainbow always after the rain. :) We woke up to a beautiful morning, full of positivity!

All Smiles! It's a beautiful morning! preparing to pack up and go down :)

Hot soup c/o Kuya onin! :) Breakie muna before going down.

Friends from PhilStar and Aficionado. Shino and Kuya Mong :)

After packing up, we started going down. It was easier since we hired porters to carry our bags.

Picture muna and rest sa gitna ng pagbaba :)

The boys as we reached the Rangers Camp! Success! :)

We headed off to Ate Gina's Place. Lunch time and Ligo time for all of us. Ate Gina prepated lunch for everyone for as low as 60 pesos per person. Pinikpikan is great, even the rice she prepared! Happy Tummy kaming lahat.

Meal prepared by Ate Gina for us :) Pinikpikan, rice, itlog na maalat and inihaw na liempo. YUM! Happy tummy for 60. Unlimited rice.

Then, we had to get our certificates from DENR Mt. Pulag. We also bought souvenir items from there. Magnets, bonnets, and of course shirts! :)

At the DENR office.

Hiker left their IDs, call cards, etc. as remembrance in the DENR office.

These are tarpaulins from groups of hikers displayed at the DENR.

My trekking shoes after the hike. Will be using it for the next hikes!! :)

We traveled back to Baguio for 3 hours. I wish I experienced riding off a jeepney via top load, but manong said it was not advisable.

At exactly 5:13 PM, we arrived at Victory Liner Bus Terminal in Baguio City. We immediately took an FX to the marketplace to buy pasalubong because we needed to get back to the terminal before 7pm. Bought some goodies, 6 for 100.

Finally, we are headed home via Victory Liner (bus with Wi-Fi and outlet for charging)

Excited to go home!

~~~~

All in all, my experience in Mt. Pulag may not be as great as the ones I had when I'm in vacation. The bitterly cold weather plus the rain is a challenge. I have to wear 3 shirts, a longsleeve top, fleece jacket, down jacket, raingear, gloves, 2 bonnets, cycling shorts, tights, jogging pants, and 3 pairs of socks and it seems like these weren't enough. When it rained during the night time, it was the longest night I ever experienced in my life. You would often hear me say, "Kelan ba ito matatapos?" "dapat nasa mm ako at naka-duty, bakit ba ako andito?" "alas-nueve pa lang?" "alas diyes pa lang? tagal pa..." But when the morning has broken, I felt like God is good He let me experience that moment. After the rain, after the cold, He would still give me the sun and let me see the beauty He has created. Even if I wasn't able to see the clouds from the summit, I endlessly thank God for the opportunity to see His creation with great friends. Now, I have found my reason to climb. :)

***

Some helpful tips before you climb:

If you are planning to climb, you need to contact Ms. Emerita Albas, DENR Mt. Pulag National Park Superintendent for your hiking plans weeks before the climb. This is so she can arrange transportation and mountain guide and other important matters. Contact info: 09196315402 or 09291668864 (DENR Ambangeg Office) and (074) 444 2720.

Allocate money for hiking equipment and winter wear. Since the temperature in Pulag can go down to as low as 3 degrees Celsius, it is best to invest on thermal gloves and gloves, fleece jacket, down jacket, waterproof jackets, trekking shoes, equipment like water bottle, sleeping bags, headlamps, etc. You can scout for winter clothes even shoes from Ukay-Ukay. I bought my down jacket (it's pink and I love it) for 350 pesos only. Try visiting the Ukay-Ukay located in front of Trinoma in Quezon City. They have a wide collection of jackets you can choose from. Prices range from 200 to 600.

If you want to experience Ate Gina's Pinikpikan and grilled liempo with unlimited rice at 60 pesos, you can contact her at 09198169234 or email her at epegenia_08@gmail.com. You can make arrangements with Ate Gina if you wish to eat lunch at her place on your way to the Ranger Station.

It's advisable to pre-climb before trekking Mt. Pulag. Or if not, at least warm up your muscles by running every morning or do some cardio workout. It will help you with your stamina and strength as you climb Luzon's highest peak.

As for your transportation to Baguio, try Victory Liner for comfortable seats and Wi-Fi buses. Fares are at 455 one way. You can look at their trip schedules here: http://www.victoryliner.com/schedules/ and go here for the contact numbers: http://www.victoryliner.com/contact-us/

And of course, as Kuya Mong said don't forget to bring Happy Disposition, An Attitude of Gratitude, and Sense of Adventure! Happy Climbing! ;)