Mount Pulag: Descent via Ambangeg (Part 3 of 3)

There’s a reason why Mt. Pulaog is popular even to non-mountaineers – the Ambangeg Trail (or Amba for short). Smooth and straightforward, this trail is also known as the "Executive Trail". The view on the trail is also a great visual feast. From the Amba Ranger station, it’s just an hour of walking until you reach what looks like a Japanese garden, and then another hour until you reach Camp 2. From there, you will need to take an hour of walk on the rolling and grassy terrain of Mt. Pulag to reach the Summit.

Mt. Pulag: Ascent by Akiki (Part 2 of 3)

I'm afraid I won't be modest here (I apologize in advance). According to (one of my favorite blogs) Tramping Philippines, the Akiki trail doesn't quite live up to its notoriety as the "Killer Trail". I believe that we all have different lungs and legs - the two parts our bodies that determine out fate in the Akiki trail. At least to me, this feat, as of date, sits as my crowning achievement (LOL). I have never pushed myself beyond what I thought I could. For days I kept on moving and carried my body and my 12-kilo backpack across steep slopes that didn't seem to end. even if my energy reserves have been completely depleted. What kept me from giving up was ... oh well, giving up was not really an option when you're halfway on a difficult trail.

Mount Pulag: Overview (Part 1 of 3)

It was about half an hour past five, the 24th of November. I could not recall a place I've been to before, whose beauty could compare with what was in front of me. The sun was about to set, but not on the usual horizon. I was surrounded by a sea of clouds, and the sun, a quaint orange ball - as tired and as weary as we were - slowly hid itself behind the sea of clouds. There are no words, everything was indescribable. I have instantly forgotten how treacherous our journey was just to get here. Our pilgrimage has commenced to the closest I've ever been to what it's like to be in heaven. I was at the very summit of Mount Pulag.

Happily Baked in the Grassy Slopes of Mt. Sembrano

Grassy mountains offer a charm that is different from those that have a well-forested slopes. They give the mountain a somewhat manicured look from afar (think of the classic Windows XP wallpaper). After having been left unsatisfied by the Higantes, I decided to join the group's hike for Mt. Sembrano - my third grassy peak after Maculot and Batulao. As I did not really intend to join the hike, I was wearing a poloshirt, jeans, an ordinary rubber shoes and a knee strap - certainly not the best things to wear while trekking. I was off for a here-goes-whatever adventure.

Colorful Higantes Festival

Higantes Festival is a yearly parade of huge, painted papier mache made by the people of Angono, Rizal. The event was conceived originally as a mockery of greedy and bossy landlords during the Spanish era who always have their arms on their waist (maybe a predecessor of effigies?). I have never been to a festival, and have even missed Adlaw Hong Butuan where I have been based for years. I am thankful that, finally, I had the chance to beef up my exposure on our country's trademark festivities.

The event was a dayhike to Mt. Sembrano organized by star blogger Ivan Lakwatsero. I've been reading his blog even before I starting hiking, and I can't believe that I'd actually get a chance to meet him in person. The Higantes is a sidetrip that fortunately coincides on the day of the hike. As my knees and toes were still reeling from the torture of Mt. Tapulao a week ago, I decided to catch Higantes, and roam around Angono, Rizal the Arts Capital of the Philippines, and maybe visit a museum or art gallery, while the rest of the group climbs Mt. Sembrano.

Mt. Tapulao Dayhike: A Tale of Dead Toenails

I DO NOT recommend this mountain for those who want a leisurely hike. It's a test of endurance and most importantly PATIENCE. The whole ordeal lasted for 12 hours - into boulder-ridden terrain, a miniforest of giant ferns, pine trees, etc. The amazing view on the summit is a fitting reward for our hardwork.

Dubbed as Poor Man's Pulag, Mt. Tapulao is said to offer an environment similar to those of Mt. Pulag. Incidentally, both Tapulao and Pulag (via Akiki) have a difficulty rating of 6/9 from Pinoy Mountaineer. This makes it a perfect training climb for Pulag which will be in two weeks, which also happens to be my first "major" climb. After having been to Romelo, Maculot and Batulao, I don't really remember anything "minor" with what I have been doing. This is the chance for me to see what a "major" climb really is like.

The group hired a chartered van that will take us from Manila to the jump off point in Palauig, Zambales and vice versa. (Note that it is possible to commute, see the Pinoy Mountaineer entry). Unfortunately, the driver wasn't very familiar with the road. We ended up following a provincial bus to NLEX, and from which point onwards we navigated solely by Google Maps (thanks to Rainer's handy tablet). After four hours, we finally reached a more secluded part of Zambales. We continued for another hour on an unpaved road, with not even a house nearby to ask for directions. We reached the Visitor's Center at 4:00 AM and started trekking at 4:30 AM.