Mt. Pulag "Solo" Climb

Climb Mt. Pulag - Check
Go on a Solo Trip - Check
Socialize - Check
Reflecting - Not so much...

All of my siblings have already been to Mt. Pulag, all of them saying the same thing to me: Climb it! After 6 months of coordinating my schedule and finding a climb-mate, I finally had an opening in my schedule to climb Mt. Pulag on April 21 and 22, 2012. I was still hesistant, though because I couldn't find anyone to climb with me. (I was thinking of even paying for one of my siblings' fare so they could go with me.) But what the heck, after subscribing to a My Super Charged Life, and boosting my courage levels, I finally went out of my comfort zone and just climb with a group where I didn't really knew anyone (except for the group leader Deo of Backpackers United, who happens to be my sister's ex-boyfriend).

I was really hesitant, because I didn't know where to go. I am prepared for much awkwardness and shyness because I know my expectations. I find it hard to socialize! (It's one of my new year's resolutions!)

Anyway, I arrived in Victory Liner Cubao, precisely as Deo instructed. Unfortunately, there was still some time left. I didn't know where to go. But you could see our group, because they were talking and laughing, with their big backpacks in the middle. But me? I have my backpack with me plus a separate bag for my sleeping bag, sat on a chair, and just quietly read the e-book from my phone (I was finishing the second book of the trilogy of the Hunger Games). I really don't want to call attention to myself, but made myself known to Deo that at least I was in the vicinity hehe When they started walking to the bus, I followed them. Problem was, I don't know where to sit, so I just sat on one of the chairs. Fortunately, knowing I didn't know anyone, Deo sat beside me. He introduced me to some of his friends, who was seating behind us. Deo unfortunately, introduced me as a doctor! Great! What happened to the Not Calling Attention to myself? People tend to remember doctors...

It was a 6-hour bus ride, comfortably enough, and we arrived in Baguio City around 4 am, I think? (I don't have a watch so I'm estimating! Haha) We waited for the two jeepneys, which Deo rented for us. Then it was another 3-4 hrs of bumpy jeepney ride along the winding roads of Cordillera before we reached our first stop, Jang-Jang eatery, where we had our breakfast. Another awkward moment for me, since I can't help thinking, "Who or where do I hang out?" (There's Danna, whose friends with my sister, but they have their little group of 4. I find it intruding to put myself in.) One of our jeepney mates was telling Deo that he's dizzy. Doctor that I was, I offered Cinnarizine for the dizziness. I introduced myself, and thought to myself, "Yey! I made a friend!" At least, there is someone I can eat breakfast with. We first went to the hanging bridge, where there's a very shallow river below.

Thanks Ron for the pic, taken from his iPhone 

Then we ate breakfast and introduced ourselves. (I introduced myself as a marketing associate of our family business, which is partly true, but I don't really practice! I handle the company accounts... Right, now I remember, I'm supposed to contact some companies... Okay, I will... after finishing this blog hehe) Then another 2-hr jeepney ride to the Visitor's Center for some orientation. Unfortunately, there was a moment where the guide was asking about a medic, and Deo said, "We have a doctor, si Meme." (Boom! There goes my cover... And as I suspected, people started remembering me, and calling me Doc. Hmph! Low profile pala ha?)

Anyway, we went back to the jeep and started from the jump-off point. Actually, it wasn't really the jump off point, but we got down sooner because the road was under construction. I was really envious on how they managed to pack everything inside, even their sleeping bags because I couldn't manage it! I vowed I will fix it when we're in camp! Grabe, sementadong daan palang, nakakahingal na! But no, I vowed I will not use a porter like my sisters did! (Competitive?? Hehe) Anyway, we ate lunch at the Ranger Station. And started the trek from there.

Backpackers United at the Ranger Station; Pre-Climb

I brought two liters of water, but actually a liter will do. Aside from the fact that there are water sources available, for some reason I didn't want to drink that much or eat trail food during rest stops. The trail was okay, generally long, but there wasn't much incline; it's just that I find my backpack really heavy and I have another bag in my arms for my sleeping bag!

Look at them, all laughing! And me? Silent and alone, but ready for the pic! Haha

 
I had no idea of the time, but we reached camp maybe around 4:30 pm? There was still some light when we arrived, and we were able to climb a nearby hill for photo-op purposes. Initially, I started hanging out with Danna, and offered to help with dinner (generally, because I don't know what to do; I feel restless to sleep, and I don't really want to miss the mountain wind!) I did ask her if she wanted to climb a nearby hill, close to our camp, but looking at it, makes us feel tired already haha But then, another group asked us if we wanted to go, and I changed my mind and went with them. (I remembered my sister Matel telling me she wasn't able to climb the nearby hill because she fell asleep unexpectedly haha)

Going uphill? Or downhill?

There's our camp, behind and below us

After climbing, we helped with dinner (I just love slicing!). We had sinigang na baboy for dinner. Then we had socials. Socials is usually a fun social interaction between the climbers to bring them closer together, but since Deo wasn't able to prepare any game, it was actually a moment of awkward question-and-answer Haha Especially for me since for some reason, I was in the hot spot. (Ganoon pala pag mag-isa? Nagiging hot spot?? Hehe)

Sinigang na Baboy for dinner (Not your usual camping food)

We waked up around 4 am to climb the summit. It was still dark when we get there, a few minutes just before sunrise, but it was glorious! The view was just... amazing. No matter how good the camera or the photographers are, it wouldn't catch the view.

Taken at the summit, still dark, waiting for the sun to rise, with Dino, Jasper, and Danna

Sea of Clouds

Sea of Clouds behind me

Jump Shot at the Summit with Ron, Jomar, and Clariz

Rein, Ron, Jomar, Clariz, me, and Miko

Grabe, kung kanino lang talaga ako sumasama! Initially, I was with Danna and most of the group in the summit. But I find that there are so many people, so I walked to another area to have a solo picture with the clouds! Siyempre, hindi maganda pag ako ang nag picture kasi masyadong malapit. So pakapalan lang ng mukha, and asked someone else (who came from our group) to take a picture of me with my phone camera. Before I knew it, I was asking them to take a picture of me, and tag me in facebook! Haha (How's that for stepping out of my comfort zone?? Hindi ko alam kung mas nahirapan ako diyan or going skinnydipping with my friends!)

After a while, we went back, had breakfast, and break camp! It was about 9 or 10 am, when we finally started our descent. (By the way, I consider myself one step closer to becoming a true mountaineer because I was able to pack my sleeping bag within my backpack, and I have therefore two free hands! Yey!)

Backpackers United at Mt. Pulag

Ranger Station Post-Climb

After the Ranger Station, we went back to the Visitors Center for graduation and some post-climb pics.

Congratulations! (unfortunately, thanks to Deo, that's not my name!)

Backpackers United at Mt. Pulag Visitor's Center, Post-Climb

We went back to Jang-Jang Eatery, where we had a late lunch, and had a chance to wash up. Unfortunately, there were only two comfort rooms. And there was a lot of us. Basically, I just want to get wet and just change my clothes! I'm going to do a full bath once I get home anyway. Fortunately, a few of them were going to the river and were going to wash up there. My love for freshwater made me agreed wholeheartedly! And I really thank them for inviting me! Hehe

Since no alcohol was allowed during socials, we consumed our alcohol inside the jeep going back to Baguio. (Imagine, that the journey can already make one dizzy because of the zig-zags, plus we're drinking? It was a good thing that no one vomited!)

Inside our Jeep (there were two)

We got in Baguio City, around 7:30 pm. We had dinner, and left, catching the Victory Liner bus back to Cubao.

It was a very fun experience for me! Considering that I don't know anyone, and I'm really shy! Haha This is a real test of comfort zone for me. Thanks Backpackers United for making me feel so welcome! It's actually because of the comraderie (and the scenery) that made me want to climb a mountain monthly... Okay, plus it's also the feeling of adventure and achieving something :)