Conquering Mt. Pulag Part 1: Preparations and Pre-climb

Last December 29, 2013, I conquered Mt. Pulag, the playground of the "gods", Luzon's highest peak, and the Philippines' 2nd highest peak; all of it was made possible and made better by Travel Factor and the new people I met on the trip!

On the peak of Mt. Pulag, Benguet, Mountain Province, Philippines at 2,922 meters above sea level. The sea of clouds and fellow mountain climbers on the background. The sun is about to rise. | Photo by Gestine Campo

It came in an unexpected but opportune time when Travel Factor, one of the Philippines' leading adventure travel companies, invited me to go with them on a trip to their Biyaheng Victory Conquer Pulag. I immediately grabbed the opportunity to live more and travel to a new destination. I did not hesitate even though I am climbing a mountain and camping for the first time. After all, Travel Factor is known for its excellent, fun, and hassle-free way of leading a group of travelers. Traveling is surely made better when you're with them.

We were asked to attend a pre-climb, where details of our trip, like the itinerary, things to bring, what to expect, and other important details, were discussed. After that, Travel Factor sent us individual emails of our itinerary, list of things to bring, reminders, and our coordinator and his contact details. They're very organized to the small details, and very beginner friendly. They do not assume that you already know what you're going into because, as I have observed, there are a number of travelers who just book the trip wanting to experience the adventure for the first time.

Travel Factor's Joven Santos at the DENR Office in Botoc, Benguet. Our first stopover before climbing, to get the permits and to attend a compulsory seminar about Mt. Pulag and respecting the environment around it. | Photo by Gestine Campo

Mount Pulag is (still officially) the 2nd highest mountain in the Philippines, at 2,922 meters above sea level (masl), as of press time. Arguably, they say that it is already the 3rd highest mountain, next to Mt. Dulang-dulang in Bukidnon. Mount Pulag is bordered by different provinces, Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya, and is a National Park, which keeps its environement,  lands, waters and forests protected by law.

First time to try top loading on the jeep. It was both exhilarating and fun! You should try it once in your life, but remember to be careful. 

I was very excited, at the same time a bit nervous because this is a completely new adventure for me, but that priceless view at the summit was all that was playing through my mind, and all that was keeping me going. Also than ks to my brother Jason, who is a mountain climber, I was able to get help in securing proper equipment and in packing all my things inside the bag.

Armed with excitement and thirst for adventure, I headed to Victory Liner Cubao to meet up with our coordinator Joven of Travel Factor, and the rest of the travelers. Our Victory Liner bus to Baguio left at 10:30pm in Cubao. Our itinerary is as follows:

December 27, Friday
21:00H - Meeting at Victory Liner Cubao Bus Terminal
22:30H - ETD to Baguio City via Victory Liner Bus

December 28, Saturday
05:30H - ETA Baguio City (Breakfast)
07:00H - ETD for DENR via chartered jeep
09:30H - ETA DENR (Registration and Orientation)
10:00H - ETD Ranger Station
12:30H - ETA Ranger Station (Lunch)
13:30H - Trekking Proper
16:30H - ETA Campsite (Set camp)
18:30H - Dinner and socials

December 29, Sunday
03:00H - Wake up time
03:40H - Summit Assault
05:30H - ETA Summit
07:00H - Trek to campsite
08:00H - Breakfast
09:00H - Break camp
09:30H - Trek to Ranger Station
12:00H - ETA Ranger Station (Lunch, Wash-up)
15:00H - ETD DENR
16:00H - ETA DENR (Log-out)
19:00H - ETA Baguio City (Dinner)
21:30H - ETD Baguio City

Part 2 will tackle the actual climb and assault to the summit. Stay tuned :)

P.S. I am back and I will start to post more religiously now. 2014 will be a year of many firsts and many opportunities. It will also be a year of travel and of personal achievements. I can't wait to write more often, and to share with you my stories and successes. 

Amorita Resort in Panglao Island Bohol

Nestled at the far end of the famed Alona Beach in Panglao Island, on top of a seaside cliff, is Amorita Resort, a private and tranquil resort getaway which values your privacy and offers you comfort and luxury relaxation. The resort offers a breathtaking 180 degree view of the Bohol Sea.



Amorita Resort affords guests with their Ocean Villas, which gives them the most impressive amenity in the resort - a great view of the Bohol sea, its own pocket garden, private plunge pool, and a sun deck ideal for intimate moments or total relaxation; their Garden Villas, with the same amenities less the view of the sea; or their Deluxe Rooms, which offers comfort with premium on space.

AirAsia Philippines, Open Skies and Philippine Tourism

"Now everyone can fly." One giant leap for Philippine aviation industry is the arrival of AirAsia Philippines and its first aircraft, a brand new state of the art Airbus A320, which landed at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga last August 15, 2011. The aircraft was commanded by Captain Johansen Hernandez and carried 29 people included AirAsia Philippines' CEO Marianne Hontiveros, Filipino media and an all-Filipino crew among others.

"This is a proud moment for Aiasia Philippines as the arrival of the new aircraft signifies our first step in introducing ourselves to the nation. As an archepelagic country, air travel is necessary for Filipinos and we are here to serve and help them stay or be better connected with their families and friends," said Hontiveros.



The arrival of AirAsia Philippines, and choosing Clark as its hub, is a product of open skies and air liberalization, which aims to decongest Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and attract and bring in more carriers, at the same time tourists and balikbayans, to the Philippines. This move forces competition which will bring about lowering of prices to fly to and from the Philippines to the rest of the world.

Hontiveros exclaimed, "The Philippines has great potential in tourism, as our country has so much to offer. With AirAsia Philippines we hope to increase the number of tourist arrivals. This is good for the community in Clark as well as Northern and Central Luzon as they can benefit in various areas including hospitality, retails and entertainment."



The aircraft, which came straight from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, is the first among four aircraft that will be delivered to AirAsia Philippines in its first year of operation. While it taxied on the runway upon arrival, it was greeted with a water cannon salute. The second one is slated to arrive later this year and the other two will be delivered in 2012.



Among those on the ground to witness the special event were Department of Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, Clark International Airport Corporation president and CEO Victore Jose Luciano, Clark Development Corporation president and CEO Felipe Anton Remollo, Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco Jr, and other VIPs.



AirAsia Philippines is currently awaiting official approval from the CAB to start flying commercially. The airline plans to use the first aircraft to service Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong routes, and the second one to fly routes to Bangkok in Thailand, Incheon in South Korea, Kalibo and Puerto Princesa in the Philippines.



AirAsia Philippines was announced in December 2010. It is 60% owned in equal partnership by Filipino entrepreneurs Marianne Hontiveros, Antonio Conjuangco Jr., and Michael Romero, and 40% owned by AirAsia Berhad through its wholly-owned subsidiary AirAsia International Inc. It is the fourth member of AirAsia Group, which now includes AirAsia Berhad (AirAsia Malaysia), AirAsia Thailand, and AirAsia Indonesia.

AirAsia Group is the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, servicing an extensive network with approximately 160 routes covering destinations in the ASEAN region, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka and Australia. Through its low-cost long-haul affiliate AirAsia X, its guests are able to fly to more destinations in Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, India, Iran, Korea, Japan, the UK and France.