So, you want to climb the third highest mountain in the Philippines, eh? But you don't know what to bring, eh? This is the first time your camping, you say? Well, look no further! This here's a guide for people who are uncertain as to what to expect on their first camp in Pulag ever!

Trail: Ambangeg

Ambangeg is the easiest out of all the available trails in Mount Pulag. If you are a beginner, you'd probably want to hike on this path. You might want to do a bit of cardio training before the hike to make the experience less lung-rupturing. Although, you won't die if you don't. The trail is mostly flat and even so you'd be doing a lot of walking. Some parts are really muddy. A pair of good shoes is definitely something good to invest in. The only challenging part would be the ascent to the peak. If you've done some cardio, then the ascent won't harm you. If no, then prepare yourself for some lung-bursting gasping afterwards.

Campsite: Ranger's Station

Ranger's Station is located further away from the peaks as opposed to Campsite 1 and Campsite 2. But as of this writing, Ranger's Station is the only camping ground available so you don't really have a choice in that area. It's not too disappointing as the Ranger's Station has everything you need for a good camping experience.  They've got tents, sleeping bags, insulation pads, headlamps, and some other necessities for sale or rent. There is food and water everywhere. And there are also toilets, which, I presume, would be disappointing for some of you who wanted the wild kind of camp experience, pit of crap and all that.

The Things I Brought

If you've read some of my old posts, you'll find that I've never camped before. I am well-versed with the list of things to bring on a day hike but I am clueless as to the essentials for an overnight camp. There are a bajillion blog posts out there that may already have the information that you need but I'm adding my list anyway.

Item	Where I bought it	Other options	Was it useful?
Sleeping Bag	Lagalag	Sandugo, Ace Hardware, Ranger's Station	Definitely. Unless you like the feeling of the cold slowly seeping into your joints. You can also rent/buy insulation pads for warmth.
Emergency Blanket	Lagalag	Online	Saved my toes from saying goodbye during the night's rest. The moisture from the tent was crawling on my legs so I had to use it. It was super effective!
Headlamp	Ace Hardware	Online, Ranger's Station	Yes. I recommend that you don't be a cheapo and get the good one. It's worth it.
Rain Gear	Ace Hardware	Online	It didn't rain but I got to use the waterproof pants and it saved my lower garments from the mud and cold. Weather is one of the most unpredictable things so be sure to have your rain gear with you even if you think it won't rain.
Down Jacket	Ukay-ukay	Sports Apparel stores, Online	I borrowed one from my Mom which she bought from an ukay-ukay/thrift store. It's heavy during the travel and hike but it will save you from the wind chill at the peak
Bonnet	Apparel stores	Japanese home stores	I borrowed this again from my Mom. Good for keeping the head and ears warm.
Gloves	Surplus, Uniqlo	Apparel stores, Japanese home stores	I had two gloves. The pair from Uniqlo has some sort of heat tech. The pair from Surplus was something I bought long ago for day hikes. I combined their powers and succeeded in keeping my hands warm against the wind chill.
Socks	Apparel stores	Apparels	I had two pairs too. I wore the thick pair over the thin pair. It served me well during the camp and the stay in the peak.
Rubber shoes	Payless	Department stores, Sports apparels	I am a fan of Payless Shoesource. I buy all my shoes there. So when I found a pair that says it's slip-resistant and 24/7 comfort insole, I was sold. True enough, I didn't slip even once despite the muddy path. The shoes were thick enough to protect my toes from when I tripped over the rocks. If it weren't for those lovely pair of shoes, my toenails would've all died that day. The brand is SafeTStep, if you were wondering.
Backpack	Vietnam	Department stores, Sports apparels	My backpack is a North Face Hotshot bought in Vietnam. During the travel, I had with me the backpack and a tote bag. During the hike, I brought the backpack and stuffed my water bottle, trail food, and jacket in it. Other things were left at camp.

I didn't buy a tent because I learned that you can rent one there. The tents are decent enough and good for two people. I chose to rent because tents are really heavy. Well, at least, for a young beautiful maiden like me.

Medical Certificate

The Medical certificate or clearance is a requirement for your Pulag Hike. They will ask for it at the DENR Station. Do make sure that your medical clearance states that you are Fit to Climb as opposed to Fit to Work or Fit for Employment.

As for me, I downloaded the template and brought it to a Medicard clinic located in Festival Mall, Alabang. They required me to go through several tests which includes laboratory, x-ray and ECG.The X-ray results will be available after two working days so you might want to work on your medical clearance at least a week before the hike. I also have an HMO card so I didn't pay for anything at the counter.

My companions got there's at Healthway,Greenbelt. Acquiring your clearance here is easy as they will not require any tests. It is quite pricey though.

And that is all, my dear reader. Some resemblance of wisdom imparted from one Pulag beginner to another. I hope that you enjoy your hike and find your perseverance rewarded in the form of a scenic view of Pulag's iconic sunrise.

Years ago, a couple of coworkers invited me to come with them on a hike to the then second highest mountain in the Philippines, Mount Pulag. My calendar didn't agree so I couldn't come. When the opportunity came again, I grabbed it by the neck and and chained it to my wrist. Mount Pulag, you are not escaping me this time.

We left Manila on a Friday night. The trip was a long one, heavy traffic flow at EDSA included. When we arrived at Baguio, we got off the van and moved to a jeepney for the rest of the trip. Hours of zigzagging later, we broke our fast and enjoyed a nice view of the Ambuklao Dam.

Ambuklao Dam

Rode on top of the jeep to the Hanging Bridge

Jang-jang Hanging Bridge

We arrived at the DENR Station for the mandatory orientation. It was interesting and I learned some things. Did you know that Pulag isn't the second highest mountain in the Philippines anymore? It's Mount Dulang-dulang located in the Mindanao region. And did you know that its name in the local dialect means bald? The reason why the mountain was named that because the highest parts of the mountain are grasslands. It looks bald because the midsection is lush with moss and the lowest area is covered in pine trees. So yeah, Pulag.

Proof of attendance. No none checks it though

We submitted our medical certificates, got back to our jeep, and went straight for Ranger's Station. To my surprise, the camp site was well supplied. There were tents, headlamps, insulation mats, clothing, and more that you can buy or rent. There are toilets! And here I was mentally preparing myself for the pit of crap. It turns out Ranger's Station had everything you need for a convenient camping experience.

Ranger Station

Left all of your things? No worries. Acquire all of them here

Setting up camp

We were already in our sleeping bags at 8. We got up around 12:30 in the morning. After a sip of hot coffee and some bread, we took off. It was so dark that hikers from afar looked to me like walking stars in an ocean of ink. Thank goodness I didn't skimp on the headlamp.

A flashlight is good too but not as convenient as a headlamp

It was a long walk before the ascent to peak 3. Apparently Hideout Travel and Tours takes their clients to the third peak on weekends. This is because the summit gets too crowded. On the weekdays, they take them to the summit. We were a bit taken aback at first but when we saw how crowded the summit was indeed, we were grateful we weren't brought there.

You can't see it in this photo but the summit over there is pretty packed

When we finally found ourselves at Peak 3, I pat myself on the back for making the right decision to take a thick down jacket with me. It was freezing cold. The wind chill was merciless. I had on me a thick down jacket, two pairs of gloves, a thick scarf, another thin one underneath, a bonnet, two pairs of socks, and waterproof pants over a pair of leggings. I was determined not to let the cold ruin this beautiful experience.

The jacket weighed a ton though

It was worth it, the long hike, the long ride from Manila, the hassle of acquiring a medical certificate, everything. The clouds surrounded us like a white blanket from all directions. And when the sun finally peaked out of the horizon, the golds and the blues just melted into one beautiful canvas.

The sun was nearing the edge during our ascent to the third peak

And there it was. The reason why we were all sleep deprived

The clouds crept gently through the mountains on a frosty morning

Good job, guys! We deserve a good jump shot

We didn't stay long at the peak. After an hour or two, we began the descent. This was where we could take the photos we couldn't take earlier in the morning. Pulag truly is a unique mountain in itself.

Time to head back down

through the grasslands we go

into the mossy forest

And on our way back to Ranger's Station

The view is amazing every step of the way

The sun shone brightly for us that day

We reached the ranger station around 10 AM. We had breakfast, freshened up, and broke camp. I bought some broccoli, lettuces, and marble potatoes because those things are so darn cheap in the north. We rode back to the DENR station for our certificates and continued to Baguio. From Baguio, we transferred ourselves to a van and slept all the way back to Manila.

Our tour agent kept going on about how lucky we are to have experienced the sea of clouds on our first try. It was raining the past few days and the weather unexpectedly turned agreeable when the weekend kicked in. A lot of people keep coming back to Pulag because the weather keeps denying them of a good view from the peak. Thank goodness the weather was kind to us that fateful day. Although, it wouldn't hurt to come back for an encore. Ambangeg is definitely an easy trail and an enjoyable one too.
Photo credits: Jhoy Sabal, Rem Calumba, Allaine Adriano, Pao Quilala, Kuya guide