Mount Pulag: The cold never bothered me anyway. Really?

by: Robin Rodrigo

I woke up in the middle of the night shivering. I can hear voices talking, laughing out the cold. I tried to sit up and saw my friends also half-awake because of the cold. I never expected the temperature to be this cold. I wish I had brought my windbreaker jacket. I tied up my shoes, lit my headlamp, and tried to go outside my tent to fight the cold. And the rest was just amazing…

                My friends and I were already waiting at the bus terminal for our 10:00PM departure to Baguio City. I can hear the other members of our group talking about the trip and by the tone of their voices; I can say that everyone was excited, including me. By the time we rode the bus, everyone tried to go to sleep since this was a 6-hour drive. I really wasn’t able to go to sleep because I have many things in my mind during that time. But then again, zzzzz… J By the time we reached Baguio City, we transferred to another mini-bus and we were told that this will be a 4-hour drive.

PREPARING OUR THINGS BEFORE HIKING             

THE TRAIL HEADING TO SADDLE CAMP

After the longest 4 hours of my life, we reached the jump off. We prepared our things, arranged our guides, had our last pep talk and then started the hike. Our organizer told us that this will be a walk-in-the-park hike so I and my friend took the lead together with the guide. At the start of the hike, I was already amazed by the magnificent views; the green pastures, the high-altitude mountains nearby, and the very clear blue skies. When we arrived at Camp 1, we had our quick lunch, took some pictures, and waited for the others. Heading to Camp 2, we passed by the mossy forest; it was an evergreen surrounding, made up of unique formation of trees that I really don’t know. (HAHAHA!!) Before we head to the last Camp, we took a quick rest at Camp 2 and saw other mountaineers preparing their tents and foods since they camped the night there. Walking the trail headed to the last camp, it was just awesome. My friend and I were out of words to say seeing the most beautiful creations of God; it feels like we were in another planet, it was just majestic. Arriving at the campsite, I pitched my tent and fell asleep afterwards.

                I woke up in the middle of the night shivering. I can hear voices talking, laughing out the cold. I tried to sit up and saw my friends also half-awake because of the cold. I never expected the temperature to be this cold. I wish I had brought my windbreaker jacket. I tied up my shoes, lit my headlamp, and tried to go outside my tent to fight the cold. And the rest was just amazing…

AT THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT PULAG

                I thought I was in a different world; the sky was full of stars, the wind was very cold that I felt its soft breeze in my cheek. Few minutes after going out, I was able to fight the cold so I called my friends to come out to get used with the temperature. Then, we prepared soup for everyone who’s awake to battle out the cold. By 5:15AM we climbed up the summit to witness the most awaited sunrise and the very famous sea of clouds. After a 15-minute ascend, we reached the summit and saw groups of people already taking pictures. Some of my friends were disappointed because there was no sea of clouds that day. For me, the sunrise was already enough. It was a reminder that it’s a new day; a new day to witness God’s plans in our life; a new day to pursue His destinies in our life; and a new day to appreciate all the things He had done in our life. (Psalm 113:3(NIV) From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.) After the very long picture-taking at the summit, we went back to the campsite and prepared breakfast. Everyone was talking about their experiences during the night; on how they were unable to sleep and eat; on how 4 guys fit into a 2-person tent; on how they regret coming at first; on how they wanted to stay all night inside their tents; but amidst all of those things, everybody went back to Manila with a smile on their faces and with new memories to cherish.

PHOTOBOMB =))

** Credits to Joel Jeff Agbuya for the photos

**Special thanks to Mr. Ace Modar of Travel Tipid for organizing the event.