Return to Mt. Pulag - Lightning Strike Twice

          The last time I was in Mt. Pulag the weather was not at its best. Consistent rain battered us through the middle until the end of our hike. So after few years, I decided to comeback using the same magnificent trail of Akiki-Ambangeg. Exactly the same time last year, we completed a very successfull Mt. Ugo climb with a very good weather. But this time, according the the ranger in the akiki trail entry, there are lots of rain in the summit of Mt. Pulag.  This coincides with the international forecast I have been verifying before leaving Manila. There was also a Low Pressure Area (LPA) that had been brewing in Mindanao, and for some reason is affecting the northern part of Luzon. But according to the forecast, we will have a fair weather on the third day (Saturday) of our hike, this made us decide to proceed with our climb plus the fact that this had been planned several months back.


            On the first day of our climb, the weather was still good, probably because the rain clouds was well above us. We were able to camp comfortably in Edet river (1300 masl). As you might have already know, Akiki trail was also known as the 'killer trail'. This because from the Edet river it was all assault climb until you reach the summit, an elevation gain of around 1600 masl. This had become more killer for us due to the rain, it rained when we reach the height of around 1500 masl. The weather was so cold that we can't rest stop for long or else chill will get the best of us. We reached the summit after around seven hours of hiking almost non stop. The rained continued until the next day and only let up for a while when we were cooking dinner. My watch registered 10deg celcius inside our tent when we were sleeping. We trek back to the Ranger station on the same weather condition. No sunrise, no sea of clouds.... but there was serenity. We almost had the mountain all by ourselves. Plus the feeling when your in unlimited pine trees, the grassland after exiting the Mossy forest.... Majestic -  Mt Pulag is still a beauty. But I could’nt say the same on the Ambangeg side of the Mountain, I was in disbelief so see how sorry the mountains states is. The are four lane trails, muddy campsite... according to the DENR, 400 climbers (or tourists????) are camping that weekend. Ranger station was like a market place, we met 15 jeep loads going down......but I want to write about this some other time.

       For now I am disappointed yet happy. Disappointed that I have not settled the score with Mt. Pulag, Happy that we have climbed this mountain safely,  and that I have discovered that the Itinerary for the Mt. Pulag via akiki-ambangeg can  bedone in two days instead of three.

Vans can now be hired due to better roads

Sacred Burial Ground

Big part of the lower portion of the Mountain was affected by forest  fire.....

....which made the trekking more dangerous

Edet River Bridge

First day Camp

Serene Mt Pulag, summit is on the opposite side of the pic

Freezing Rain

More water, if you look closely rain can be seen

Mt. Maculot New Trail

I can now confirm that a new trail has been created in Mt. Maculot. The existence of the old traditional trail, which had been there for decades or maybe ever since the mountain had been open to the public....was no more. The reason according to the locals, was that landslides had occurred making the old traditional trail very dangerous. An fatal accident almost happened last week in one of the climbers, this prompted the local government  to act swiftly and create a new one. The new trail is very fresh and was shy of two weeks old. 



The trail per my assesment is not suitable for beginners, at least for now. We learned this the hard way last weekend when we brought a bunch of newbies. Its a good thing me and my group went via traverse trail, the other half of the group was not so lucky. 

Hopefully as time passes by, and more climbers use this trail. Will make it more sturdy and not loose as is it is now.

How it is now (sorry I dont have pic of the old  one)

Nevertheless the view is always mesmerizing

Dampalitan Beach

       I took a two week leave last holiday season. But of course I don't want to spend my vacation just for shopping and eating. We chose to spend the last days of the year unwinding in a remote beach. The beach is  called Dampalitan island in Quezon.

The island is also within the vicinity of Kwebang Lampas. The beach here is much longer but I think the other is much finer and so is the water.  When I was snorkling I saw lots of broken corals, effect of dynamite fishing? probably? A short and calm boat ride from the main road is needed to reach the beach. We were actually planning to stay in the island for three days but due to an LPA (low pressure area) we had to choice but to shorten it to two. But this also came as a blessing in disguise, since we were the only guests on the beach... this island was all for ourselves (except for the locals ofcourse). We had a very good sunset, we drink under the light of an excellent fullmoon... on the beach with very calm water. All I can say is what a way to end the year. 


Edit: 1/22/13
  The place is somewhat reminiscence Anawangin since there are pine trees along the beach. The beach goes around the island, and on the northern side has several mangroves. The fish we grilled are fresh catch bought from the fisherman along the area. 

Sunset

The Usual Suspects

The Camp

The beach

Gianne acting as a judge for a group who came after us

Balagbag Falls

The FALLS 

  After the failed attempt to go to Balagbag falls last month, its inevitable that we will try to go back. Its a good thing the Nov30 holiday fell on a Friday, this was the perfect time to hit the road again. 


  We left early morning to avoid the traffic, since were passing by Rizal and Laguna. We arrived in Real,Quezon after around 4-5 hours of driving, dropping by Real fish port to buy freshly catch fish for our lunch. The jump-off to the falls is around 2-3Km from the main road. The road is rocky but is situated along the beautiful Real Coastline and with the view of the Pacific ocean. Another 10 minute walk is needed to reach the falls. 

   To describe the place, the water comes down from the mountain. Its a two level cascading water fall, the first one is around 60-70 feet, the second one around 20-30 feet. There is abundance of trees on both sides of the falls that makes the view more mesmerizing.  The water is not that clear but is clean and cold. The first level though the higher of the two, has a very shallow pond. This is because the water is spread wide on the rock before it hits the bottom. The second level is where everyone swims, but only the middle part is deep. So if you want to do a jump from the top of the second level, make sure you fall on this portion, else injury will be everywhere. This is actually what makes this jump scary..... but yet fulfilling. 

   Its actually possible to camp near the jump-off since its beside the ocean and covered with coconut trees. There is a natural breakwater along the shore made of of pile of large stone pebbles. When the waves hit this area you can hear the sound of water and rocks rolling back and port. Very relaxing. Though we were tempted  to camp in this area, we just checked-in in a resort. Its my first time to go to Real and we could explore better if we are in a better lodging. 

Real Fish Port

An Eel and a Stingray (isn't this illegal)

The coastline to the falls

Our lunch

"Inner Peace..."

"Inner Peace"  II

Cliff Jump (whew!)

REAL, QUEZON

   The place is situated between mountains and ocean,  reminds me of my hometown when I was still small. Very slow pace lifestyle. Minimal vehicles on the road. Children playing as if the world is they playground. We were even able to make a room reservation without a down payment and there is no definite time for checkout! When you drive at night, its just like you own the road. We tried checking the city proper and life is still simple, locals own the establishments and the tricycle driver are courteous.


   Going back home we decided to go a different way. Its the Laguna-Batangas route. Its nice actually to be able to see the whole other side of Laguna lake. 

Sunrise

So Relaxing

Return to Mt. Ugo - A Traverse

  This climb is a long overdue entry to my blog. This was also a climb that had been cancelled several times and was almost cancelled permanently. But nevertheless last February, a team of 12 climbers consisting of PALMC members, friends and guides climb Mt. Ugo via the traverse trail.


  Mt. Ugo is considered one of the best mountains in the northern mountain ranges. The mountain is situated in between two municipalites, Itogon Benquet and Kayapa, Nueva Viscaya. Before, to complete the traverse, three days should be alloted. But recently, with proper planning and training it can be done in two (this is what we did). 
  Climbers normally leave in the evening in Manila and then start the trek very early the next day. The start of the trek is very steep but you wont notice much of this due the abundance of pine trees. After around 2 hours of trek you will reach Brgy. Ansipsip, the start of the flat hike. The flat trek continous  for several hours. Carve on the mountain side, this place is what I call 'deja vu" roads because it seems everything is repeating, as if you are already lost.It will become steep again on the final assault to the summit that also doubles as the campsite. We reached the summit after around 9-10 hours of hiking. I guess whats mesmerizing about this mountain is the plentyness of pine trees and the view along the trail where you can see rolling green mountains from afar, plus of course the weather is very cool - as with any northern mountains.  
  We had a good night at the summit. The weather was perfect during our climb. The sky was very clear and we were even able to stargaze for a while. 

Resting at Brgy. Ansipsip

Deja Vu Roads

Deja Vu Roads

Amazing lights

Sunrise

Sea of Clouds?

  









The descent was almost the same as the previous day, steep descent. There was a trail part where we saw Baguio from a distance. There are still a lot of pine trees, the trail was also rolling. We passed by a community, rice fields (sort of rice terraces) and a long foot bridge. After this we were picked-up by our rented jeep all the way to baguio. 
  Did'nt we know that one of our colleague own a house at baguio. We stayed here for the night (after sipping several beers) then leave the next day back to Manila.

If you look closely, Baguio can be seen on the left

A bridge too far

My climb 5 years ago and the current.  The former was just a  traditional

     This climb was specially dedicated/organized to Barry Smith, who after his two years stint in the Philippines went back to his native country. Barry hope you had a good time with us, because we surely did. Till our next climb!