It’s 4 AM, the temperature is 7 degrees Celsius, everyone is lined up ready to reach the summit.
“Be careful guys! The road is narrow and steep. You don’t want to fall on that cliff to your left.” The local tour guide warned us.
I tried to reach for my flashlight, but I can’t see anything – just total darkness. I can’t feel my face; I’m already wearing three layers of clothing, and I’m cold as hell. Late last year, a woman in her 50s died on Mount Pulag because of a heart attack. I know I shouldn’t think of that because I’m just scaring myself.
Mount Pulag stands as the third tallest mountain in the Philippines, boasting an elevation of 2,922 meters above sea level. Just a few months ago, my family and I embarked on a trek up Mt. Pulag, driven by the desire to witness its splendid sunrise and the renowned sea of clouds.
There are three trails to climb the summit of Mount Pulag from Benguet province: Ambangeg (easy trail), Akiki (best trail) and Tawangan (more challenging trail with bloodsuckers leeches). We did the Ambangeg trail since it’s best for beginners like us.
Things to bring to Mount Pulag
- medical certificate
- earth pad and sleeping bag
- tent
- first aid kit
- food and water (at least 2 liters)
- fleece jacket (suited for 0-7 degrees Celsius temperature)
- thermal wear
- 2-3 set of clothes
- poncho or raincoat
- waterproof jogging pants or trekking pants
- hiking shoes
- bonnet, scarf, and gloves
- trash bag (please do not litter!)
- flashlight or headlamp
- sunblock
- lip balm
- toilet paper
- chocolate bars for quick energy
3 Terrains you will see in Ambangeg Trail
Pine Forest
From the ranger station to the foot of the mountain, you will see pine trees and vegetable farms. According to the (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) DENR staff who facilitated the short seminar, you will see rare flowers in that mountain such as, Edelweiss. That’s pretty amazing coz it usually grows in Austria and Switzerland. Come to think of it, we also have it in the Philippines! Ballin’!
Mossy Forest
It’s called “mossy” because the trees and rocks are covered with moss. Some parts can be muddy and slippery, so watch your step carefully. There’s also natural spring water available for drinking, but it’s not advisable for people with sensitive stomachs. However, if you’re determined to drink it, make sure to boil it first when you reach the campsite, just to be safe.
Grass Land
This will be your temporary home – the campsite. From here, you can set up your tents and prepare dinner. It’s advisable to spend the night here and then wake up at 3 AM to begin the ascent to the summit. There’s a wooden toilet facility a few steps away from the camp, but there’s no running water, shower, or conventional toilet bowl – just a hole for you to release that shit. =p
The Amazeballs Mt. Pulag experience
According to the word on the trail, the prime time to tackle Mount Pulag is a sweet spot between November and early March. So, yours truly and the squad headed out there come January. The universe was totally on our side, blessin’ us with flawless weather vibes. Starting off from our camp haven, we hustled for a good 2 hours before we owned that summit.
And yeah, you best believe we took some chill breaks – gotta honor those legs, right? But dang, the air gets as thin as a whisper the higher you go, and lemme tell ya, even though I’m all about staying active, that elevation game is a legit challenge.
Man, I’m telling you, words just fail to capture the feels when I caught that sun making its epic entrance from within that sea of clouds. Like, seriously, it was this massive, breathtaking spectacle. You ever seen those scenes in flicks when someone’s about to ascend to the pearly gates? That’s the level of awe we’re talking about here.
You won’t believe it, but it was like a brush with the great beyond – picture the sky parting like the heavens were throwing out the welcome mat, all set to escort you straight to paradise. I swear, catching that sunrise, even if it was a couple thousand clicks away, had me vibin’.
And let me tell you, it wasn’t just me tripping out. The whole squad was locked in this awe-struck moment, just pinching ourselves like, “Is this for real?” So, I took a sec to scope out the crew, and the energy? Pure positivity radiating off every hiker.
Guys, check it – all that struggle and sweat we hustled through, it’s like it vanished into thin air. Every bit of it? Totally paid off. We straight-up had a blast, like happiness levels off the charts! Major shoutout to the universe for serving up nature’s finest – Trust me, this adventure’s etched in my memory forever.
“Keep close to Nature’s heart…and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” (John Muir)
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