As a mountaineer, it is important that one maintains a physically fit body and continuously improve their endurance. Since I started joining several mountaineering groups, I started to adopt their techniques on how they keep their bodies in tip top shape, tuned for their next climb or whatever outdoor activity they would engage to.
Running is always on top of their list, while biking and engaging in several sports activities are also part of their options. The important thing though is your chosen physical activities should most likely focus on the endurance and cardiovascular training. Strength training of course should also done in balance to maintain muscle power in order to carry your survival packs.
As I plan to continue to conquer more and more summits here in the Philippines and hopefully around the world, I'll need to prepare myself so I won't become a burden to my group and also so that I could also enjoy not just the summit but the climb itself. :)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Climb #10: Mt. Pulag (via Ambangeg-Ambangeg trail)
(Activity date: April 2-3 2011)
Jump-off point: Ambangeg, Bokod, Benguet
This is my 2nd Pulag assault and a rewarding come back indeed as I was able to have a glimpse of what heaven might look. I'm talking about the sea of clouds and nothing but pure beauty.
My friends, the L.O.B.O. Mountaineers opted to celebrate "Lady Dolly" and our friend Apol's birthday in Pulag since they both haven't been there. The "birthday climb" as we call it, has become a tradition of our group and brotherhood and had played a vital role in the birth of our group.
A joint effort of all our Mountaineering brothers and sisters made this birthday climb possible. I'm just glad that all of us especially Dolly and Apol were gifted by God this rare opportunity to experience the breath taking view on top of Mt. Pulag.
Going to Mt. Pulag via the so called "Executive Trail" is still a test of endurance for most first time hikers. Physical, Mental and Emotional preparation is a must, not just for Pulag but for every mountain you may want to hike. One should also be aware of the possibility of experiencing hypothermia and altitude sickness as these are some of the common yet serious conditions hikers may experience. 3-4 layers of clothes will help keep your blood warm allowing to flowing though your body :)
Anyway, here's the IT that we've followed. Hope this could be of help as I do wish you'll experience the sea of clouds as well. One request though, please do your part in preserving Pulag. The numerous traffic of people that visits this mountain does dramatic changes in its landscape. Irresponsible trekking will ruin this majestic mountain. We are all just passersby. The keyword that I was able to take with me during the DENR is this.. RESPECT. Please take it with you as well :)
Day 0
10pm - ETD from Victory Pasay (Our original plan was Victory Cubao. It's still best if you could make seat reservations)
Day 1
0700 - Resume Jeep Ride
0800 - ETA Ambangeg - Registration and DENR seminar
0900 - Resume jeep ride to Ranger Station, short stop over at Mam Gina's Place. We opted to leave our wash clothes here. Less load
1030 - ETA Ranger Station, arrange guide and Porter.
1100 - Start Trek with our guide (Ate Agot, Kuya Efren, +2 others)
1200 - ETA Waiting Shed, aka Camp 1. Lunch
1330 - Pulag GrassLand
1500 - ETA - Tawangan - Lusod Junction
1730 - ETA Pulag Saddle Campsite
1900 - Dinner/Socials
2300 - Lights out. Rest for sunrise viewing. Actually most of us dozed off at around 9pm due to the cold and
piercing wind :)
Day 2
0430 Wake up call
0500 Arrival at summit. Waited for the wonderful wonderful Mr. Sun to rise
0630 Back to Camp
0740 Breakfast
0800 Break Camp, picture taking
1000 Start Trek to ranger station
1100 ETA Camp 2
1230 ETA Camp 1
1400 ETA Ranger Station; end of Trek. Optional wash up for Lead group
1440 ETD Ambangeg, Lunch and wash up at Mam Ginia's place.
1530 ETA Ambangeg, sign out at DENR, resume jeepney ride to Baguio. This was the part that I forgot when I decided to go back to Pulag. The long and winding road to Baguio. I threw up on both jeepney stop over.. >_<
1800 ETA at Baguio. Bought tickets to manila.
2050 Head back to Manila. Victory Baguio seems to have a very busy schedule that day. Buses leaves every 10 minuites! The bus only took 1 stop over and I believe was driving really fast. The usual 6-7 hours was reduced to 5 hrs :D and this was just the ordinary fared bus. Bravo!!!
I'd like to note some of our trip's highlights:
1. One of our friend passed out during their late socials. Good thing most of us knew the symptoms of hypothermia and was able to respond quickly and revived our friend back.
2. 2-3 had headache (I suspected this was brain freeze effect)
3. One lost his balance and almost fell down the trail while crossing the grassland.
4. One was thought to be lost. Turns out, he was just a fast trekker. "Flew" all the way to camp 1 passing by the lead group.
As for the expenses, here's the rough estimate of my personal expense:
Fare to Baguio - 460
Jeep Fare - 567 (2 jeeps were hired by our group. @8,500 per 16 seater jeep)
DENR Fee - 200
Guide - 100 per pax. Maximum of 10 person per guide
Others - 155 + 390 (I left my bag cover which is why I need to buy 1)
Duct Tape - 167
Foods and drugs expense estimate - 500
Fare to Cubao - 450
------------------------------------
Total: 2989 -> this includes the pre climb preparation expenses..
Jump-off point: Ambangeg, Bokod, Benguet
This is my 2nd Pulag assault and a rewarding come back indeed as I was able to have a glimpse of what heaven might look. I'm talking about the sea of clouds and nothing but pure beauty.
 |
| Panorama shot of heaven |
A joint effort of all our Mountaineering brothers and sisters made this birthday climb possible. I'm just glad that all of us especially Dolly and Apol were gifted by God this rare opportunity to experience the breath taking view on top of Mt. Pulag.
Going to Mt. Pulag via the so called "Executive Trail" is still a test of endurance for most first time hikers. Physical, Mental and Emotional preparation is a must, not just for Pulag but for every mountain you may want to hike. One should also be aware of the possibility of experiencing hypothermia and altitude sickness as these are some of the common yet serious conditions hikers may experience. 3-4 layers of clothes will help keep your blood warm allowing to flowing though your body :)
Anyway, here's the IT that we've followed. Hope this could be of help as I do wish you'll experience the sea of clouds as well. One request though, please do your part in preserving Pulag. The numerous traffic of people that visits this mountain does dramatic changes in its landscape. Irresponsible trekking will ruin this majestic mountain. We are all just passersby. The keyword that I was able to take with me during the DENR is this.. RESPECT. Please take it with you as well :)
 |
| Resting :) |
10pm - ETD from Victory Pasay (Our original plan was Victory Cubao. It's still best if you could make seat reservations)
Day 1
0400 - ETA Baguio City
0430 - ETD to Ranger Station
0530 - ETA Pingkan Jo's eatery. There's another popular eatery along the winding road going to DENR. They call it Jang-Jang eatery. But according to our Pulag contact, you need to inform this eatery if you opt to eat there since there may not be enough food for big groups. This of course was just a second hand info. Still worth noting. This is where we bought our packed lunch
0630 - ETA Ambuklao Dam. Picture taking. The dam was almost dry when we got there. The last time we were in that Dam, water is rushing like crazy that they seem to form clouds at the bottom of the dam.0530 - ETA Pingkan Jo's eatery. There's another popular eatery along the winding road going to DENR. They call it Jang-Jang eatery. But according to our Pulag contact, you need to inform this eatery if you opt to eat there since there may not be enough food for big groups. This of course was just a second hand info. Still worth noting. This is where we bought our packed lunch
0700 - Resume Jeep Ride
0800 - ETA Ambangeg - Registration and DENR seminar
0900 - Resume jeep ride to Ranger Station, short stop over at Mam Gina's Place. We opted to leave our wash clothes here. Less load
1030 - ETA Ranger Station, arrange guide and Porter.
1100 - Start Trek with our guide (Ate Agot, Kuya Efren, +2 others)
1200 - ETA Waiting Shed, aka Camp 1. Lunch
1330 - Pulag GrassLand
1500 - ETA - Tawangan - Lusod Junction
1730 - ETA Pulag Saddle Campsite
1900 - Dinner/Socials
2300 - Lights out. Rest for sunrise viewing. Actually most of us dozed off at around 9pm due to the cold and
piercing wind :)
 |
| Grassland's super established trail |
Day 2
0430 Wake up call
0500 Arrival at summit. Waited for the wonderful wonderful Mr. Sun to rise
0630 Back to Camp
0740 Breakfast
0800 Break Camp, picture taking
1000 Start Trek to ranger station
1100 ETA Camp 2
1230 ETA Camp 1
1400 ETA Ranger Station; end of Trek. Optional wash up for Lead group
1440 ETD Ambangeg, Lunch and wash up at Mam Ginia's place.
1530 ETA Ambangeg, sign out at DENR, resume jeepney ride to Baguio. This was the part that I forgot when I decided to go back to Pulag. The long and winding road to Baguio. I threw up on both jeepney stop over.. >_<
1800 ETA at Baguio. Bought tickets to manila.
2050 Head back to Manila. Victory Baguio seems to have a very busy schedule that day. Buses leaves every 10 minuites! The bus only took 1 stop over and I believe was driving really fast. The usual 6-7 hours was reduced to 5 hrs :D and this was just the ordinary fared bus. Bravo!!!
I'd like to note some of our trip's highlights:
1. One of our friend passed out during their late socials. Good thing most of us knew the symptoms of hypothermia and was able to respond quickly and revived our friend back.
2. 2-3 had headache (I suspected this was brain freeze effect)
3. One lost his balance and almost fell down the trail while crossing the grassland.
4. One was thought to be lost. Turns out, he was just a fast trekker. "Flew" all the way to camp 1 passing by the lead group.
As for the expenses, here's the rough estimate of my personal expense:
Fare to Baguio - 460
Jeep Fare - 567 (2 jeeps were hired by our group. @8,500 per 16 seater jeep)
DENR Fee - 200
Guide - 100 per pax. Maximum of 10 person per guide
Others - 155 + 390 (I left my bag cover which is why I need to buy 1)
Duct Tape - 167
Foods and drugs expense estimate - 500
Fare to Cubao - 450
------------------------------------
Total: 2989 -> this includes the pre climb preparation expenses..
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Climb #7: Mt. Balingkilat (Talisain Cove Traverse )
Acknowledgement: PHINOE mountaineers and the organizer Sir Rommel. Kudos! And to our Aeta guides, thank you so much!
One of the nearest getaway and haven for mountaineers can be found in Subic, Zambales. The mountain range and valleys in Zambales plus the shoe string budget trips are just perfect for the city dwellers to take a rest from their stereotype corporate lives and enjoy the nature and the majestic creation of God.
Mt. Balingkilat offers a challenging trail for those who want to test their stamina. The trail from the jump off point starts with an open to grassy field and ends with a rocky terrain as you reach the camp site. The long and tiring trek is however rewarded by nature with fresh breezy mountain air, awesome sceneries of its neighboring mountains such as Cinco Picos and of course the view of the Subic Bay. But for me, the most rewarding moment was unveiled to me the following day, when I got the chance to see the 360 degrees unobstructed view of Mt. Balingkilat's summit. The view was so perfect on its own ways that it makes me so proud that I live in a country that so much diversified and special. The urbanization may have taken the city and has altered it completely but just like Pulag and the other mountains that I got the chance to experience, Mt. Balingkilat's summit somehow breathed into me a fresh new air that I get to take home with me.
The following day, we were all ready to face the more challenging part of the climb. To complete our planned Anawangin traverse. Our guide gave us another option though, the less traveled but more feasible Talisain traverse. He computed that with our group's current speed, it may take us more than a day to complete the Anawangin traverse and with little water supply, most of us may not be able to withstand the challenge. The whole group agreed and it proved to be a very wise decision. Our guide informed us that this it has been a while since this trail was crossed. Since the trail was not established, we had to do frequent stops to make sure that the sweeper group could follow our path. We reached the Cove at around 6pm. Sadly, we didn't have enough time to enjoy the beach since most of us needs to go back home but some opted to stay in Anawangin. We took a boat ride from Talisain Cove, dropped off some of our companions at Anawangin and reached the shores of Pundaquit at around 11pm. Rode tricycle to San Antonio Municipal and then took a bus to Manila.
Special concerns:
Bring plenty of trail water, for newbies like me a good 3-4 litters will do most specially if you still haven't master the art of water conservation. Bring a lot of sunblock. Arm sleeves, long trekking pants or leg warmer (sleeves) and bush hat will provide additional sun and cogon protection. For those with suspected allergies, don't forget to bring anti-histamine. Need to secure 3 permits (mayor's, police station and jump off point). You also need to provide food and sleeping place for your guides.
ITINERARY
Day 1:
03:00 Meeting place. Victory Liner bus from Cubao to Olongapo
04:00 ETD from Victory. First trip to Olongapo
06:00 ETA Olongapo City. Buy breakfast and packed lunck.
07:00 Take rented jeepney to Sitio Cawag. Optional side trip to market near police station for last minute shopping
09:00 Arrival at Jump off point. Secure guide
13:00 Arrival at Kawayanan. Lunch
13:30 Resume trek
15:00 Pitstop to regroup. Rest and admired view of Cinco Picos and Subic Bay
16:00 Start steep and rocky climb to camp site
18:00 Reached summit, camp, cook dinner and a little socials, lights out
One of the nearest getaway and haven for mountaineers can be found in Subic, Zambales. The mountain range and valleys in Zambales plus the shoe string budget trips are just perfect for the city dwellers to take a rest from their stereotype corporate lives and enjoy the nature and the majestic creation of God.
 |
| Panorama view from Balingkilat's summit |
 |
| The long walk starts here |
The following day, we were all ready to face the more challenging part of the climb. To complete our planned Anawangin traverse. Our guide gave us another option though, the less traveled but more feasible Talisain traverse. He computed that with our group's current speed, it may take us more than a day to complete the Anawangin traverse and with little water supply, most of us may not be able to withstand the challenge. The whole group agreed and it proved to be a very wise decision. Our guide informed us that this it has been a while since this trail was crossed. Since the trail was not established, we had to do frequent stops to make sure that the sweeper group could follow our path. We reached the Cove at around 6pm. Sadly, we didn't have enough time to enjoy the beach since most of us needs to go back home but some opted to stay in Anawangin. We took a boat ride from Talisain Cove, dropped off some of our companions at Anawangin and reached the shores of Pundaquit at around 11pm. Rode tricycle to San Antonio Municipal and then took a bus to Manila.
Special concerns:
Bring plenty of trail water, for newbies like me a good 3-4 litters will do most specially if you still haven't master the art of water conservation. Bring a lot of sunblock. Arm sleeves, long trekking pants or leg warmer (sleeves) and bush hat will provide additional sun and cogon protection. For those with suspected allergies, don't forget to bring anti-histamine. Need to secure 3 permits (mayor's, police station and jump off point). You also need to provide food and sleeping place for your guides.
ITINERARY
Day 1:
03:00 Meeting place. Victory Liner bus from Cubao to Olongapo
04:00 ETD from Victory. First trip to Olongapo
06:00 ETA Olongapo City. Buy breakfast and packed lunck.
07:00 Take rented jeepney to Sitio Cawag. Optional side trip to market near police station for last minute shopping
09:00 Arrival at Jump off point. Secure guide
13:00 Arrival at Kawayanan. Lunch
13:30 Resume trek
15:00 Pitstop to regroup. Rest and admired view of Cinco Picos and Subic Bay
16:00 Start steep and rocky climb to camp site
18:00 Reached summit, camp, cook dinner and a little socials, lights out
 |
| Valley going to Talisain Cove |
Day 2:
05:00 Wake up Call, cook breakfast and packed lunch, break camp
07:00 start summit assult
07:30 Summit (Picture taking)
08:00 Start traverse trek to Talisain
14:00 Lunch at river (Forgot what the river is called)
16:00 Resume trek
18:00 Arrival at Talisain Cove, dinner and wash up
21:00 Departure from Talisain to Pundaquit
23:00 Pundaquit, tricycle to San Antonio Town proper
Day 3: back in Cubao Terminal
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