Life Overseas

Bordering the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya, Mt. Pulag is the highest mountain in Luzon and the second highest in the country.

Elevated 2,922 meters above sea level, Mt. Pulag offers a breathtaking landscape and a taste of the – 5oC (negative 5 degrees Celsius) temperature in the Philippines.

The indigenous folk of Benguet regard Mt. Pulag as sacred. A huge chunk of the mountain has become a national park, attracting mountain climbers, nature lovers and those looking for a new thrill. For the traveler seeking the high of a new adventure, Mt. Pulag is an accessible destination near Baguio City.

For cousins Edward Hernandez, Migo Hernandez and Macoy del Pilar, all nature enthusiasts who recently conquered Mt. Pulag, it was the allure of witnessing a scenic sunrise from a mountain’s vantage point and experiencing being enveloped in a sea of clouds that beckoned them to take the trek.

The three took a Victory Liner bus bound for Baguio with other friends, then hired a jeepney that took them to the Ambangeg trail, one of four trails that lead up to the Mt. Pulag summit. From Ambangeg, they went to the Ranger Station. The road to Ranger Station is jagged so it is best to hire 4 x 4 vehicles.

The Ranger Station, which is approximately 2,300 to 2,350 meters in elevation, is where the trek to the summit begins. The walk is relatively easy. Hiking to Mt. Pulag can even be done in one day, like what Edward’s group did. For those wanting to stay overnight, there are three campsites on the Ambangeg trail — one near the Ranger Station, another one located two kilometers prior to reaching the peak, and one more just below the peak, approximately 2,800 meters in elevation. The latter two campsites are the preferred choice of campers, with the second campsite teeming with fresh water. Not to worry though as all three campsites have their own toilets.

As Edward’s group can attest to, conquering a big mountain that is Mt. Pulag is a wonderful summer adventure. But before you heed the call of the wild, here are a few pointers to remember courtesy of the group:

• Be in good physical condition. Remember that mountain climbing requires cardiovascular strength. Be ready to walk with a loaded backpack (although you can hire people to carry them for you along the trail). Take vitamins and get proper nourishment. Temperatures reach levels below zero on Mt. Pulag, so you would not want to catch a cold as you hike up.

• Gear up. Camp temperature, as Del Pilar said, may reach -5 degrees, so it is important to invest in thermal clothing, all-weather jackets, bonnets, thick socks, and gloves. It would help a lot if one wore good hiking shoes, brought appropriate camping equipment, first aid kit and other basic medicine. For serious high-intensity mountain climbing, include seat harnesses, climbing ropes, helmets, slings and other protection equipment.

• Know the rules of the campsite. Visitors to Mt. Pulag, for instance, need to register first at the Visitors Center (Department of Environment and Natural Resources office) in Ambangeg. Another Mt. Pulag requirement is to get the assistance of legitimate tour guides. Fees are dependent on the number of tour guides, visitors and duration of stay. Edward said it could cost between P3,500 and P5,000 depending on which trek group you join.

• Save your memories. Bring your camera. You will be on top of the mountain, higher than the clouds, possibly freezing with icicles on your brows and bags when you are on top of Mt. Pulag. You never know when you will be back, and you would want to brag about your feat to your friends.

Chilling out this summer is easy — with Victory Liner. The Mt. Pulag adventure is do-able even for busy people. Edward’s group left Manila via a bus bound for Baguio on a Friday night. They hiked up Mt. Pulag on Saturday and by Sunday morning they were on their way back home.

With Victory Liner’s well-maintained fleet of air-conditioned buses and luxury bus coaches, traveling to Mt. Pulag is easy and affordable. So start your Mt. Pulag adventure with a bus reservation to Baguio via Victory Liner. The company has hourly trips to Baguio.

For bus trip schedules, visit www.victoryliner.com.