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Mt. Pulag Itinerary

 

PULAG via AKIKI-AKIKI

 

GENERAL:

Mt. Pulag, located in the Cordillera Mountain Range of Northern Luzon, is at the tri-boundaries of the provinces of Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet. At 2,922 meters (9,610 feet) elevation, it is the highest peak in Luzon and the second highest peak in the Philippines. For the natives of the area, the mountain is the abode of the gods and is sacred.

The temperature at the peak is usually in the high 10’s to low 20’s at night. The coldest times are from December to early February. Frosts and light icy- formations are not unusual in the early mornings during these months. Wind chill at the exposed peaks and saddles are high at any time, especially so during November to January. Threat of hypothermia is strong. Climbers should be especially prepared.

December is usually the peak climbing month. This means that camp and good tent spaces are at a premium. Also, jeepney rental rates tend to go up then. If there are less than 20 heads in a group, the per capita cost of jeepney hire can be high. Most climbers proceed to the jump-off points from Baguio City.

There are two primary routes to the peak: the Ambangueg-Palansa-Ranger Station route and the Duacan-Akiki route. We suggest foregoing the Ambangueg route unless you only want a quick trip up (overnight only). The better, cheaper, and more challenging route is via the Akiki Trail, round trip. Sikap-Bundok’s preferred itinerary follows.

CONTACT PERSONS

  • Ruben Aguinse – Ranger-in-charge, Akiki jump-off point
  • Roger – Baguio Jeepney operator +63(920)806-8656

 

RECOMMENDED ITINERARY:

DAY 1

1000H ETD Baguio.
Take the regular bus to Kabayan from the old Baguio slaughterhouse area. Regular trip is between 0930-1000H daily during off-season. During peak season (Nov-Dec), the earliest could leave at about 0700H.Notes: Although it can be walked, participants may take taxis from the Bus Station (ex Manila) to the old-slaughterhouse terminal.Bus stops for lunch at an eating place along the way.

Tip: Unless longing for fast-food type breakfast, try eating breakfast with rice at the market place besides the old- slaughterhouse. The servings are plentiful and cheap and reasonably good tasting.

1500H ETA Bo. Duacan, Kabayan jump-off point.

It is a five to ten minutes initial climb up a very steep cement stairway to the Duacan Primary School which serves as registration, briefing and paying area.

Notes: You can make arrangements to spend the last night within the school premises. Drinking water is available here. No need to load camp water.

As the mountain is a protected area, registration and payment of entrance, camping and green fees are mandatory, as is the hiring of at least one local guide. Porters are optional. First timers are also required to sit through a lecture session covering general rules for climbers.

1530H Start of trek proper. Trail is rolling ascent and descent. Final half-hour of trail to campsite is downwards but not steep.
1800H ETA Eddet River campsite. This is the source of the Eddet River. Clear, cold water available for bathing, drinking and cooking. here. RON (Remain overnite).

Note: Good, level tent sites available. Kybo available to attend to nature’s call.

DAY 2

0600H Wake-up, breakfast, break-camp.
Tip: You may prefer to cook this day’s lunch at the same time or right after cooking breakfast.
0830H Resume trek (not later than 0900H to avoid high noon on trail up). Bring only trail water (one to two liters). This trail goes steeply up, no dips, all the way to the ‘Marlboro’ campsite.
1130H ETA Marlboro Country campsite. You may choose to camp here. Drinking water available very close to the campsite. Cook/eat lunch here.

Trivia: So-called because it reminded climbers of the commercial for Marlboro cigarettes. This is not an official name.

Notes: Limited tent sites. Level tent sites very scarce. At least one person must stay behind as camp officer if camping here. Kybo available.

Warning: Only proceed to camp at the saddle if all members of the group are still in top form at this time or are willing to reach the saddle camp after sundown.

1300H Resume trek. On daypacks only if camping here. On full packs if camping at the saddle. Bring trail water only, even if not camping here. There is one final water source about one hour into the forest trail. Reload on trail water upon reaching the last water source. Load up on camp water if camping at the saddle. Trail goes up moderately, with intervals of rolling terrain and some dips. After emerging from forest area, the trail goes up to Jr. Pulag and goes down from there to the saddle.
1700H ETA Saddle camp area. Set up camp quickly if camping here. Proceed to peak if not camping here or want to witness sunset at peak. Bring protective clothing against wind chill which is very high on the peak.

Note: Open area with no natural wind breakers. Good, generally level tent spaces. No water source. Kybo available.

1800H ETD back to camp. If not camping on saddle, proceed to Marlboro camp.
2100H ETA Marlboro camp. RON

DAY 3

0600H Wake-up, breakfast, break camp.
0900H ETD back to Eddet.
1200H ETA Eddet River. Rest, Lunch, cool-off.
1400H ETD for Duacan.
1700H ETA Duacan Primary Sch. Stay in classroom. No need to camp out.

Note: Clean, non-automatic flush toilets available. Electricity now available in the classroom.

DAY 4

0400H Wake-up, quick breakfast, pack-up.
0500H Down at waiting shed
0530H Board bus to Baguio.
1030H ETA BGO. Take earliest available bus back to Mla as desired, or go on marketing/buying trip to market, even stay overnight.

ALTERNATIVE 1 (RON in saddle camp)

DAY 3

0400H Wake-up, very light and quick breakfast
0500H Back on peak to witness sunrise.
0600H Back to camp. Full breakfast, breakcamp
0830H ETD, retrace route toMarlboro Country.
1300H ETD Marlboro Country, lunch, rest
1400H ETD
1700H ETA Eddet river, rest.
1730H resume trek.
2030H ETA Duacan Elem Sch.
ALTERNATIVE 1A (RON DAY 3 at Eddet River camp site)

DAY 4

0200H Wake-up, quick breakfast, break camp.
0330H ETD
0630H ETA Duacan bus waiting shed.
0700H Take last bus to Baguio.
1200H ETA Baguio.
NOTES: This alternative is not recommended since the likelihood of missing the last bus back to Baguio is rather high. The chance of being able to take another ride back to Baguio is low. Also, check with the ranger stationed at Duacan as to current schedules before leaving for Eddet on Day 1.
ALTERNATIVE 2 (Hired jeepney from Baguio City)

NOTE: If there are at least 15 members in the group, it may be more practical, if costlier, to hire a jeepney out of Baguio and to arrange for pick-up by the same. Rental rates are generally based on the full seating capacity of the vehicle which may range from 20 to 30 passengers.

DAY 1

0600H Depart for Kabayan
1030H ETA Duacan jump-off point. Lunch at Duacan Primary School.
NOTE: No nearby eating place.
1200H Start of trek.
1500H ETA Eddet River campsite. Rest.
1530H ETD for Marlboro Country campsite.
1830H ETA Marlboro Country campsite. RON

DAY 2

0600H Wake-up, breakfast, break camp.
0800H ETD for saddle camp.
1200H ETA saddle camp. Set up, lunch, rest.
0500H Proceed to peak. Wait for sunset.

DAY 3 See ALTERNATIVE 1

1700H ETA Eddet River camp. RON

DAY 4

0600H Wake-up, breakfast, break camp.
0800H ETD for Duacan.
1100H ETA Duacan Primary School. Lunch.
1300H ETD for Baguio via hired jeepney.
Note: During negotiations, arrange for the jeepney to pick the group up for the return trip between 1300H and 1400H.
1800H ETA Baguio.

 

EXPENSE BUDGET EX MANILA

(Food, souvenirs, pasalubongs not included):

Airconditioned bus R/T P780.00
Taxi within Baguio 15.00
Bus, Baguio-Kabayan R/T 248.00
Jeepney hire 3,500.00~4,500.00 one-way
Park entrance fee 100.00
Kabayan green fee 25.00
* Camping fee per night w/in park 50.00
** Donation Duacan PS PTA 50.00
+ Guide fee, per guide 1,800.00 (Traverse)
2,100.00 (Akiki-Akiki)
++ Porter 1,500.00

NOTES:

* The Eddet River camp is not within the Park.
** Donation is required only if staying the night within DPS premises.
+ At least one guide required depending on size of group.
++ Porter hire is optional. We recommend one for every two greenhorn climbers. Guides also give porterage service as needed. Guides and porters in this park provide for their own tenting and food requirements. This should not stop you from offering to share food with them.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Cellphone signals (Globe and SMART only. Digitel(Sun) signals have not been tested by the group):

* Duacan Primary School (DPS) – weak to moderate.
* Eddet Campsite – non-existent to weak and erratic.
* Akiki trail – generally weak to moderate
* Marlboro campsite – moderate to strong. SMART signals are generally strongly due to cellsites within the the Mt. Pulag range.

FRS signals

* 2-mile signals – moderate to good. However, erratic during periods of strong winds.
* Marlboro campsite to Pulag peak – strong during good weather.

If not planning to stay overnight in Baguio after the trek, it is best to buy departure tickets for Manila before setting out for Kabayan. This is particularly true during peak seasons. This applies regardless of itinerary taken.
CAVEAT: The transportation rates quoted are based on October 2005 rates.