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

I was thinking twice as to whether I should write another blog post about Pico De Loro since I've already done one. I didn't even took a lot of photos during the hike because I didn't had the mind to create a post out of it. After days of staring at my Instagram posts of our trip to Pico De Loro, I gave in and decided to blog. The writer in me won.


A friend from work knew I liked hiking so she invited me. For the travel, they hired a van. It sure was a lot more easier than a commute. We arrived around 8 in the morning at the DENR station. There were lots of hikers that day. Not surprising since it was a Sunday. What surprised me was how big our own group was. We were twenty eight people in our group! I have never been in a group this big before. 


We registered and paid the 25-peso fee. After a bit of introduction and some stretching, we began the climb.The trail was an unfamiliar one. The old trail where we passed through last year was now private property. A new trail was made and to be honest, I loved that new trail. The old trail, as stated in my old post, was teeming with a bajillion rocks and roots. If the old trail was a person, it would be the kind that wanted to hurt us so badly because we tried climbing their mountain. My experience on the new trail is so much lovelier. The new trail seemed more friendly and accommodating, welcoming us and assisting us with each step. Actually, what made me so pleased with the new trail was the mud. It had a clay-like consistency to it that prevents you from slipping. My sad excuse of a footwear had a grip like never before. How I wish the trail of any mountain was always like this.


We began the hike at 8:30 in the morning and found ourselves at the campsite two hours later. The place was swarming with "guides". I do not remember the camp site being like this the last time. These guides will help you with the hike to and from the summit and the monolith for a price of php50 per head. You'll still have to pay even if you opt to not climb the monolith. My companions found out about it when we got back to the camp site and were peeved because the guides did not mention this beforehand. Hiring the guides are not mandatory but prepare your ears for stories of people who didn't hire guides who ended up getting bloody and injured. 


The climb to the summit was significantly more manageable that my last climb. I would have been able to do it even without the guides' help. There are more rocks than loose soil, which means more things to hold on to. We didn't stay long at the summit. We left our backpacks with some of our companions and went down to begin the climb to the monolith.


How on earth was my brother able to climb that monolith without the help of guides during our first hike? The part where you needed to rappel were so darn narrow. Imagine a staircase made out of flat pointy rocks slapped together at the edge of the wall by a person who might have had twenty-three bottles of beer for breakfast. I cannot imagine for the life of me how the "casual" kind of hikers could have managed this on their own. How?! Anyway, after much scrambling through that steep and narrow stairs with the help of our guides, we were able to climb up to the top.


I took as many photospheres and panorama shots as I could. And when I had my fill, I took in everything I saw. I looked at it with a clarity that I did not possess back then (I used to wear glasses). I could see the ups and downs of the ridges from afar. I could see curves of the asphalt roads where the cars passed through. I could see the edges where the land and the water met. By the time it was my turn to rappel down through that wretched stairway, I felt as if I have seen half of the world. 

As for the pride of being able to "conquer" the monolith, I didn't feel it. Me being able to get up to the top was mostly because of the guides. I would have had a sense of pride if I did it on my own but, alas, it seems I have yet to be capable enough.  


The rappel down was anguish. The guides were telling me where to put my foot or my hand at and when I couldn't do it, they started shouting to just trust them and do it. I sort of wanted to kick them in the shin real good and tell them that I couldn't do what they were telling me to do because I didn't have a good grip on the rope because of my gloves. In my mind, that would've shut them up. 


An hour or so later, we were back at the summit. And minutes later, we were back at the camp site. The descent was so much easier than I expected. A couple of people and I were at the DENR station at 4:30PM. My head was hurting though because we went straight for it without any breaks. Our sweat was trickling down our faces and we didn't stop for a water break except once or twice at the beginning of the descent. 


Overall, I loved this hike. This is one of my personal favourites. One, because of the good weather and the good trail condition. Two, because this is my first hike since my Lasik surgery. Pico de Loro, You have given me one great experience. 

Four years ago, a friend of ours organized a hike in Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas. Being the sure-why-not person I am, I said "Sure. Why not?". I got ready for the hike and went.

It was horrible.

We weren't even at the jump off yet and I was already exhausted. Every ascent to a peak is a nightmare. The rocks, rain, and mud, even more so. At the summit, the weather did not even have the decency to reward me with a view. Everything was obstructed with thick fog. I was cold and wet, not sure if from the rain or from my own tears and sweat.

Four years and eight hikes later, I've finally decided to return. This time, it was entirely a different story. I loved it.
The three of us met at Evercrest around 8 in the morning. After a quick bathroom break, we begin the adventure that would hopefully change our bad memories of Batulao.

We all had bad first time experiences at Batulao. I guess we were really that weak back then

We walked all the way to the jump-off. You can opt to ride a tricycle though or if you have a car, you can drive until the nearby parking lots.

It would  be nice if someone would give us a car

Along the way, you'll find the locals selling walking poles made out of bamboo. You can get yourself one for php20.

This kid is just one of many who were selling these

We arrive at the jump-off at around 9:00 am. The official hike begins.
The first two peaks sort of jump started our system. We took a couple of minutes after an ascent to catch our breath. But after that, our body was 100% ready to take on the mountain. No more dizzy, hingal kabayo moments.
The best thing about Batulao is that there is no shortage of beautiful views wherever you are. Taking breaks is even more revitalizing when you are surrounded by such beauty,

And the fact that you were there a couple of  minutes ago boosts motivation

Taking a much deserved break

A few peaks later, we arrived at the camp site. We paid the php30 registration.

Allaine registering our names

Took a break while waiting for the sun to hide behind the clouds

This was the rock where a crazy companion of ours took a jump shot at our first hike here. Rem says it's not that rock though.

The first time I was here, it was raining so we had to deal with mud. This time, it was dry and the weather is good so there was no mud to battle with. What we had to deal with, though, is very, very loose soil. Even Rem who's gone there his second time (this is his third) don't remember the soil being that loose.

The dirt is swallowing my feet

There was a moment when I couldn't get a good foot hold and I slid down the dirt on all fours. I tried to crawl up but when I found that the situation was hopeless for me, I shouted for help from my giggling companions. Lucky for me, no one else had a camera to take a photo of it so have a photo of Allaine looking at the distance like a boss instead.
There are a lot of stands along the trail so you shouldn't worry if you're low on hydration. You should worry though if you're low on funds because the refreshments are quite pricey.

You can have fresh coconut water

After much dirt-crawling, we finally reach the summit. And only 11:15 in the morning!

Awyiss!! No fog in sight!

The view that I was denied of during my first climb here

We found a good spot to enjoy the scene

We took out our lunch boxes and had our meal.

The best seats in the house

When our stomachs are filled and we've chatted all that we could chat and when Rem returned from wherever the hell we went, we got ready for the descent.

Time to go down

We began the descent at 12:20 pm but we had a hold up by the rappel.

We waited for the people to get down

Finally. We were about to run out of topics to talk about

The descent continues when we all got down the wall of rocks.

The two chatting while I do obligatory photo shoots

The old trail seemed more "friendly" to me than the new trail. Maybe it's because of all the campsites. 

Souvenir shop

T-shirts

AGAIN? How many times are we suppose to register? And what are we registering for anyway? If it's for maintenance, can't we just call it maintenance fee?

Why do we have to keep logging our names? It's not like you're going to validate it for anything anyway. Except for maybe computing the fees you've collected for day that will be used for god knows what.

I remember when this was just all mud

WE HAVE CONQUERED BATULAO. We are no longer weaklings.

There is a new cheaper bath nearby but we chose to go here anyway

Steaming hot bulalo. YUMS

Crispy shrimp

In your face, Batulao!

How we got there:

• To Evercrest

• From Evercrest to Jump off point

How we got back:

• From Jump off point to Evercrest

• From Evercrest to Mahogany Market