THAT FEB-IBIG CLIMB | Mt. Ulap (1846+)

While everyone else was excited for Valentine's Day, I was busy packing my things for a special date--another adventurous date with myself!

I wasn't going to let the love weekend bother my senses. Being single on Valentine's Day sucks. It really does actually. But I wasn't going to be like those hugot-filled individuals who would almost cry over with the visions of lovers everywhere. I had better plans for myself.

I got an invite for Mt. Pulag which was eventually cancelled. An alternative was offered, Mt. Ulap. I heard a few things about the mountain. It was even the location shoot for a recent Tagalog movie. Initially, my excitement was not that much. But as soon as I saw what the mountain had to offer, it immediately became my new most favorite climb to date!

AMPUCAO-STA. FE RIDGE

Our meet-up place was in Cubao at 10:00 PM. Around 11:00 PM, all 11 participants left in a chartered van to Ampucao, Benguet. After several stops, we safely reached the jump-off at around 4:30 AM.

The Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail spans around 8 kilometers along several peaks of the Ampucao-Sta. Fe Ridge. The said peaks include: Ambanao Paoay (1788+), Gungal (1814+) and Mt. Ulap itself. Entry point is at Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet. Exit point is at Brgy. Sta. Fe, Itogon, Benguet. 

At the barangay hall, we registered and was given a short orientation. A pretty guide was assigned to us. She was a Liza Soberano look-a-like so it became more pleasing to each of us. We then started our climb at 5:30 AM. 

Both left and right, there was a panoramic view of Benguet and Baguio City nearby. Pine trees and seemingly endless grasslands made the experience more breathtaking. The trail was too beautiful that we spent so much time on taking pictures along the way. It was too cold when we trekked early in the morning, then turned too hot as we reached the summit.

About mid-way to the summit, we stopped and took pictures of ourselves on the Gungal Rock. It is one of Mt. Ulap's trademark stops. The gigantic rock stood out from a group of rockies. It may look simple to walk across, but it is actually inclined. One wrong step can send you falling several meters off the cliffside.

This was another one of those buwis-buhay pictures taken for me. My knees were numb, literally took my breath away as I glanced on what was deep down below.

Along the way, we had several stops and all we did was just sit down on one corner, appreciate the view and live the experience. 

These are the moments when you ponder upon God's creations and realize how wonderful He is for creating such lovely landscapes. 

It was around noon when we arrived at the summit. We took our lunch and took a short nap. The green grass, pine trees and the lovely panoramic view seemed unreal. Truly another great adventure for the passionate traveler's soul!

This group was a fun group to be with. Another adventure, another set of friends!

It was indeed the best choice to do a Feb-ibig climb. It's an experience that makes you forget all the worries in the city. Nature at its finest once again.


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ACTUAL ITINERARY

10:00 PM - Meet up at Cubao
11:00 PM - Van left for Ampucao, Benguet
3:00 AM - Stop over at Pangasinan, Early Breakfast
4:30 AM - Arrived at the Jump-off (Ampucao)
5:30 AM - Started trek 
11:30 AM - Arrived at the summit
12:30 PM - Started descent
3:00 PM - Arrived at the Jump-off (Sta. Fe)
5:00 PM - Left for Manila
8:00 PM - Arrival at Clark (my own side trip for the Air Balloon Festival)

A DELIGHTFUL DAY IN DARAITAN | Mt. Daraitan (739+) and Tinipak River

What a way to start my year!

I've mentioned Mt. Daraitan in my previous posts, but I never really thought it would be my first adventure for 2016.

I've been a jetsetter for a couple of weeks, flew to and from Manila, and continually gazed at the lovely mountains of Rizal from outside the plane's window. I wondered when I could try the mountains of the said province.

Little did I know that one of my mountaineer friends (whom I've met in my Mt. Pinagbanderahan trek), had plans of doing a Mt. Daraitan climb on the same weekend I got back in the metro. He is one of those people who got addicted to climbs ever since he started, and not even a knee injury can stop this guy. Way to go, Karl!

So this is how it looks from the summit. Lovely, isn't it? With how the river flows and forms like a heart, it's just truly fascinating. But as to how we got there safe and sound is a much more challenging story.

Our meeting place was at McDonalds Katipunan at 2:00 AM on what could be another adventurous Sunday. We left for Tanay, Rizal around 3:00 AM. We had two cars on convoy, four pax in each car. Thanks to Waze, we found our way to Brgy. Daraitan two hours after. 

We immediately registered and Kuya Rudy (our guide) did a short orientation. We started our trek at 6:00 AM. Just as soon as we started, it rained and it never stopped raining even until we reached the summit. The trail was extremely muddy and I had so much difficulty getting fog off my pair of eyeglasses. We were all wet for the whole duration of the trek. Not to mention, the wind was also making it so cold for us to climb Mt. Daraitan.

After several stops, it took us 3 hours to get to the summit. From there, we saw a lovely view of Tanay, its neighboring towns and the Sierra Madre mountain range. Rizal mountains are known for their rocky trails and summits. Mt. Daraitan had something to boast for that matter. Sharing this moment with me are Karl (guy with the red cap) and my new friends, Banjo, Edison, Francis, Chelsea, Marvin and Leanne. 

Needless to say, I have that fascination for taking selfies on summits. The height doesn't seem to scare me just yet. There's always that excitement I feel when I'm up there. All the pain on the legs, the mud on my shoes and the cold didn't mean anything anymore as soon as I set my sight on what the view from the summit had to offer. 

We spent an hour at the summit. It was highly congested and it was difficult to take group pictures without any photobomber joining the moment. 

We took the traverse trail to Tinipak River, and was twice as difficult to trek downwards with all the mud. It took us 2 hours and a half to finally reach the river.

And what was once an item on my bucketlist was finally right before my eyes. Tinipak River was beyond words. It was as breathtaking as the pictures I saw on blogs. The river was said to be the cleanest in the region. No doubt that it is!

We spent another blissful 2 hours in the area, just listening to the water gushing in between rocks and feeling the breeze through our hair. It's something not often experienced in the hectic life I have in the city. I took quite some time to cherish the moment. 

Daraitan had so much to offer. Not only does it boast of its lovely landscapes, it is also home to kind and friendly locals. And also a lovely location shoot for Coco Martin's Ang Probinsyano. That's another trivia.

I'm blessed to have shared this experience with my new friends. Shout out to this amazing group--Leanne, Francis, Banjo, Karl, Chelsea, Marvin and Edison. I believe this won't be the last time I'll be trekking with these guys. 

High five for more adventures!

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ACTUAL ITINERARY

2:00 AM - Meet up at McDonalds Katipunan

3:00 AM - Left for Brgy. Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal

5:00 AM - Arrived at the jumpoff | Registration at P20 | Parking fee at P50 

6:00 AM - Start trek | Guide at P500

9:00 AM - Arrived at the summit

9:45 AM - Started trek along traverse trail to Tinipak River

12:30 PM - Arrived at Tinipak River | Registration at P20

2:30 PM - Left for the jumpoff area | Wash-up at P20

3:30 PM - Left for Manila

4:00 PM - Food trip at Tanay | Budget at P150

7:00 PM - Arrived at Manila

Total budget for the entire trip: P500 

Definitely worth it!

Visit the Pinoy Mountaineer website for more details about the Mt. Daraitan and Tinipak River dayhike. PINOYMOUNTAINEER.COM - Mt. Daraitan + Tinipak River