First 2015 Adventure: Double Mountain

The first half of the month has been wonderful. I was able to secure a slot to Mt. Pulag at the last minute through a new-found friend whom I met in Dolores, Quezon last year. Since late last year I was already planning to go up Mt. Pulag again, I made sure to take advantage of Uniqlo's sale and was able to buy a Heat Tech turtleneck and a pair of padded pants. Just the very clothes I need to conquer the cold in Benguet since the first time I went there last year I shivered uncomfortably all throughout the night and was not able to sleep comfortably.

Last January 15, I reported to the office very early in the morning so I had my early out then headed to Makati to meet someone. It was a quick meeting but because commuting in Metro Manila sucks, I had to rush home to get my bag which I fortunately had prepared two nights prior.

The trip organizer booked me for Baguio, the bus expected to depart at 8PM and yet I left home at 7PM. Not a very good idea. It also didn't help that mobile communication was made difficult because of Pope Francis's arrival in the Philippines. As communicated by both Sun Cellular and Smart, there will be difficulty in sending SMS and in calling for security reasons. Oh well. This country really needs to care more for the common masses. So anyway, I couldn't send out my message that I was already on my way. Buzzer beater as always as I arrived at 7:40PM whew! Close call.

hanging bridge at the back of Jangjang's Eatery

 I was the only isolated participant in our group but I made good use of it by grabbing a hot siopao from Hen Lin (2/F Victory Liner Terminal) and by charging my phones at 7-11. Then when the rest of the group arrived exactly an hour later, we all boarded two jeepneys. Bumpy road again yet I still was able to fall asleep!

We visited Jangjang's Eatery. I was grateful for the free soup (which a friend called "sabaw na pusa" but which is actually pork broth). We waited until the sun's rays kissed the earth and we went at the back of the eatery to see a hanging bridge.

view from the foot of Mt. Pulag

 We spent a long time at the Rangers Station due to the large number of hikers on a Friday! It seems that many adventurous spirits would rather heed the call of the mountains than suffer the suffocating crowds at Luneta as people await the mass to be said by the visiting Pope.

view from the foot of Mt. Pulag

 It was already late, around 10:30am when we started to climb up Mt. Pulag. The ascent took 3 hours and a half. I could have done better but I chose to wait for a climbing buddy who tires easily. Anyway, all was well because I was able to observe and look at the different plants while he was resting.

plants in Pulag (couldn't name them though...)

By late afternoon, I was dismayed when our plan to reach the summit was cancelled because a companion collapsed and had to be carried to the campsite. Since I was with a rescue team, we naturally had to attend to her and make sure she was alright. The porters were telling us she should be brought back to town lest something happens to her in the very cold night of Pulag. Stubborn as she was, the group decision prevailed and she was brought back down in a makeshift hammock.

At night we feasted on canned goods and wheat bread. I myself brought my favorite Uncle George Multigrain Bread, canned tuna, and canned sausages. One of the organizers cooked chicken sinigang and shared it with us so it was still a happy meal. So grateful for the hot soup.

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this... taken while hiking as we were nearing the campsite

Before we went to sleep, the elder of the rescue team gave a lecture on focusing on important life matters. I was surprised when he emphasized over and over again the importance of prioritizing one's family. He also advised that single people travel as much as possible because once one ties the knot, one must be ready to sacrifice for the new family. This struck something in me since my parents and sisters have been complaining a lot because I am almost always never home. And I would always tell them they wouldn't even go on adventures with me so what do I do, imprison myself at home?

the sea of clouds on the second day... finally!

 On the second day, after gulping down two mouthfuls of lambanog to somehow counter the extra chilly winds, I joined the others in hiking up the summit, headache and all. In my desire to warm my body I sacrificed my sober mind. Still the beautiful sights I took in at the top made that seem insignificant. All pains go away at the sight of beauty. We may not be rewarded by the beautiful sunrise but we did get the sea of clouds plus bonus cloudfalls.

what I call the "cloudfalls"

 We stayed at the summit for hours, not wanting to leave the marvelous sights. But like all wonderful things that come, they must go. Or rather, we must depart and go back to civilization. I was the last one to leave the campsite. Still sleepy and hungry for a hot rice meal, I decided to descend straight, stopping very little, while the others rested and chatted. In the end, I reached the town first from our group, and I did so in just one and a quarter of an hour or so.

That night I decided to go with the rescue team to save on accommodation expenses since one of them has a relative in Baguio. We had dinner at a bulalohan somewhere on the way to Crystal Cave. I was ultra happy to finally eat rice and bulalo for only P70. Take note, we skipped lunch!

view from Mt. Cabuyao (now more popularly known as La Preza)

 On Sunday, we went up Mt. Cabuyao, now popularly known as Sitio La Preza due to the TV series Forevermore. Lots of people are visiting the place and so we had to hike all the way up, making me even happier since who could resist a nice long walk on a beautiful day?

When we got down, we were extremely hungry. Unfortunately, 50s Diner near Leonard Wood was still full of people even at 2PM so we settled for its neighbor Backyard Diner. It's my second time there so this time I had chicken a la kiev and rice. I wish I had gone for their burgers though because the chicken isn't that flavorful. I was expecting a lot of cheese oozing out after every bite but that was just destined to be in my dreams only.

late lunch at Backyard Diners: chicken a la kiev with veggies and rice

 After lunch, we visited White Laperal House. In my trip to Baguio last year, we only passed by this and failed to see the bamboo exhibit.

bamboo exhibit inside the White Laperal House

Boarded Victory Liner bus to Cubao at 7PM. My seatmate was a handsome looking guy who climbed Pulag on Saturday and didn't see any of Pulag's beauties. Anyway, I'm glad to have chatted with him because he seems like a nice guy who's gone off to many mountains. He even tells me his misadventures in Pico de Loro on a stormy day where he and his only hiking buddy almost got lost.

Which reminds me... I have never been to Pico de Loro... (smiles)

Got home at 1:15AM because the bus driver takes very long breaks. @.@