it was 5pm when we arrived at the Ambangeg Ranger Station, the jump-off point for hiking Mt. Pulag National Park. seeing others who were also about to climb in full gear, we felt so inadequate. two of us were wearing short pants and sandals only. three didn't have thick windbreaker jackets. all four of us were clueless what was then awaiting us.
but we just laughed it off. still, we started our ascent very happily. the happiness was short-lived though. as we went higher, the challenge got tougher. the mist was turning into heavy drops of rain, the trail was getting muddier and more slippery, and the darkness was growing all around us.
 |
| we're faking it. it's 3am and we're dying. |
it wasn't an easy climb. how dare us do it during the night. lol. we reached the campsite around 8pm and we saw a pandemonium of tents, we couldn't find any good spot to mount ours. we ended up on a rocky part and we were not able to sleep at all because the surface we're lying on was just painfully and annoyingly irregular, couple that with the freezing
5°C cold.
 |
| ain't our tent too cute to house four people? |
when we realized all of us couldn't sleep, we just waited for 5am for the hike to the summit. this was a one-hour climb, more or less, and was easier as the trail was entirely on grassland. we were the first to reach the summit during that day. well, except for Peter, whom we lost in the fog.
 |
| the first men on the summit on December 30, 2012 |
the sea of clouds that were waiting for us was beyond words to describe. it felt like we were rewarded very handsomely for all the shivers and struggles we had to go through.
the sun showed up after nearly an hour when we reached the peak. it was really a blessing as it was raining during the previous days. Peter's sun dance was that effective. lol. it would be too much to bear if we soaked wet while we were up there.
the mountains with grass all over them gleamed beautifully in golden brown. it was one of the most relaxing sights my eyes have ever laid on. it's got the perfect lighting for photography, i thought. despite the cold, we took wonderful pictures effortlessly. only nature does it best, truly.
 |
| Elmer taking good shots despite his shorts. hehe. |
 |
| the grass seemed like it had a light of its own. photo by Elmer Arapoc |
 |
| with our tour guide |
going down back to the campsite was a different story. now, we saw the path that we trekked in broad daylight.
 |
| i just had to have a photo with this tree. getting a feel of Korean drama. hehe. |
the way back to the Ranger Station was one that i enjoyed. it felt like i've been doing mountaineering for a long time. together with Jon, we completed the descent in less than two hours.
 |
| so dramatic |
 |
| Mt. Pulag's bounty of flora makes the campsite a mountaineer's haven |
this trip was like a predictable movie plot which ends with the protagonists' victory. in this story, the conflict was man versus nature. but nature was too merciful, she made us weather a storm first before she gave us what we're after for us to fully appreciate how beautiful and amazing she is.
and with that, below is my favorite shot of myself in all out peace with nature. please forgive my vanity. hehe.
Pretty Pulag!
ReplyDelete