Bucket List: Mt. Pulag's Sea of Clouds

It took me quite a while to be able to said 'YES' to the several invites given by scouting colleagues in high school. And finally, I did it! I was able to climb and reach the summit of the highest mountain in Luzon - MT. PULAG.

Few days before the climb, me and two of my former colleagues went to Rover Expedition's hangout for the pre-climb orientation. It was the first for all three of us to climb Mt. Pulag. An orientation won't do any harm. 

A pre-climb orientation discusses (1) what to bring; (2) what to expect; (3) precautions; and (4) if there are questions about the climb, better ask them during the meeting.. Also, that's your chance to meet the people joining the adventure.

Tents won't be a problem, the expedition got it secured. And I was confident that we were in good hands. I've camped out with the guys since high school. All that we had to worry about were our personal necessities like jackets/extra clothing, torch, sleeping bag, medications (if needed), snacks, water and of course, a camera. Who wouldn't want to capture every breathtaking moment going to the summit.

An itinerary was created, not to make the adventure like a field trip, but served as a guide. It was made sure that there is nothing to hurry during the trek.

Day 1
3:00 AM ETA for Baguio ( Breakfast)
4:30 AM ETD for DENR (jeep)
7:00 AM ETA DENR (Briefing)
10:00 AM ETD for Babadak (ranger stn.)
11:30 AM ETA/ Early Lunch Ranger Station
12nn: ETA Start Trek
3:30 PM ETA Camp 2 Grass Land/Pitch Tents
6:30pm Dinner
7:30 PM Socials
11:00 PM Lights Out

Day 2
2:00 AM Wakeup call (time for summit)
3:00 AM Trek for summit
5:30 AM ETA Summit Sunrise Viewing
7:00 AM Return to campsite
8:00 AM ETA Campsite EAT Breakfast
9:00 AM Break Camp
10:00 AM Start Trek (to ranger stn.)
12:00 NN ETA Ranger Station Lunch/Wash up Area
1:30 PM ETD Ranger to DENR
2:30 PM ETA RANGER/Wash up Area
3:30 PM ETD RANGER to Baguio
5:00 PM ETA Baguio
5:15 pm ETA Baguio – Manila (Dinner along the way)
11:00pm ETA manila

from my IG account..

Majority of the group when to Baguio earlier and ours followed  Saturday evening, February 8. We arrived in Baguio around 2:30am; met the other group somewhere along Session Road and off we go to Benguet. It was 3-hour road trip to Bokod, Benguet. First time climbers underwent orientation at the DENR office. Afterwards, we proceeded to the ranger station and start trek to Mt. Pulag.

group photo before the trek..

Finally! Campsite...

learning to put up tents..

another group photo after settling at our campsite..

It was I guess my longest night ever.. Woke up I think 3x because of the chilling cold. It was definitely cold! Could still feel it even though I had three layers of clothing worn (including 2 jackets).

2:30am: everyone was already awake. Prepared ourselves for an early trek to the summit. It was still dark when we reached the summit but the view was BREATHTAKING! Few minutes later, the sun rises and oh what a view indeed.. 

SEA OF CLOUDS!!!

We started our decent back to campsite, ate breakfast and fixed our things. We arrived Baguio around 10pm and bound back to Manila by 12:30am.

Bucket list solved but I still want another trip back to Mt. Pulag. When will it be? No definite date yet but it be soon...