I’ve always been curious about travelling with contributors, writers, editors and other officers of a travel magazine. Though much can be learned from what is written, it’s a totally different experience to be with them during their travels. So when a friend of mine approached me and said if I could organize a Mount Pulag climb for the CAB Urban Travel Magazine I could only say yes to feed my curiousity.
For a trip to Mount Pulag, I’ve always required a preclimb. This is to prep up the participants on what the highest mountain in Luzon has to offer. A stunning view, different flora and fauna, the people and culture, the long trek and the best part of it all, the cold temperature which could go below zero degrees celsius. A totally different weather from what most of us expected of the Philippines, the all sunny whole year round where Sunshine Corazon’s name came from, except for the monsoons.
During the preclimb, I explained that there are no clean restroom when we are on the campsite and only a square hole on the ground with no roof but wooden walls, which they call latrine, would be their restroom. This is the part that I’m expecting someone to go shout “WHAT?!?!?!?” and I’m happy that not one of the participants complained. This actually tells a lot about them, if they complain it means they’re a bit hesitant to experience and go out of their comfort zone. If not, you will know that they are seasoned travellers who are ready for almost any adventure.
If they were the listening bunch during the preclimb, they were the wacky and fun type during the trip, just the way I’d like my participants to be. They were more than willing to experience the ass numbing but breath-taking seat of the jeep, the topload.
They toploaded on our jeep
When it was time to listen for the fun lecture of Ma’am Mering, Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) of Mount Pulag, they listened, laughed and enjoyed the lecture.
The group with PASu Ma'am Mering
During our 3-hour trek to the campsite, it started to rain. This is not a good sign when you’re hiking at Mount Pulag because of the temperature drop and the possibility that you’re clothes and things would get wet. But they quickly took out their ponchos/rain coats and wore them. No need to worry about their things getting we inside the bag because they waterproofed them. A sign that they listened and prepared for this trip.
Anyways, enough with the boring stuff and let’s proceed with the pictures of our trek back to the campsite from the summit.
At the summit
Lew (My "Thesis" Partner in college), me and Joash
Muddy Trail due to the rain
Walking through trails with steep sides
The thinking Managing Editor of CAB, Kat
Ruth (project7107.wordpress.com), walking to the light
Bibang (HS schoolmate) and Precious walking through the muddy trail
When we arrived at the Babadak Ranger Station, Paul, Joash and Jeremiah wanted to learn how to use the stove. Yonna, the tail, taught them how to use it and surprisingly, they heated a Pizza and made sandwiches with tomatoes, onions, catsup, mayonnaise, spicy tuna and ham. Yes, it was weird to mix spicy tuna and ham, but who cares it was still good, enough to be compared with Subway. 😛
Paul, Joash and Jeremiah making the special sandwich
With this trip I now know that CAB Urban Travel Magazine are made by seasoned and experienced travellers for travellers. 🙂
Operations Manager of CAB Jeremiah and me with my free magazine. 🙂
To know where you can get hold of the magazine visit their facebook fanpage by clicking on the link below.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CAB-Urban-Travel-Magazine/160907787283035
what is a pre-climb? i’m not a mountain person but i want take photos on top of mt pulag. i was told that Ambangeg trail is an easy way up?
Hi wanderlass.:)
You can take photos on the top of Mt Pulag. This was actually the first climb of one the participants. Yup! Ambangeg is the easiest trail. it’s easy, but don’t expect it to be very easy.
A pre-climb is a meeting where the organizer will tell the participants what to expect, how to prepare and what to bring for the climb.
I hope you’ll be able to take a picture on top of Mt Pulag soon. 😀
Galing naman, you’re organizing climbs na rin pala, pasabit naman minsan 🙂
Sure claire, sabihan kita kapag may hike kami ulit. 🙂
josiah, most of them are my friends! sama ako next time ha. i want to climb pulag din. kaya lang i want the harder route or the traverse.
Nakwento ka nga nila on the trip James. Small world. 🙂
Sure, gusto ko subukan yung tawangan trail to Pulag.