Mt. Napulauan Into the Fog: Year-End Climb // December 28 to 31, 2017

About a year ago, as I was lazily scrolling through Facebook, I saw the image of a typical Ifugao house—a structure with a wide pointed roof contrasting starkly to its small living area, half of which is covered by the roof itself—nestled in the middle of lush verdant greenery. I was immediately enchanted by the picture. It reminded me of the forest in Lord of the Rings that Frodo Baggins trekked in as he goes on a life-threatening quest to destroy the One Ring and ensure the destruction of Dark Lord Sauron. The place looked mystical, and it gave off a mysterious vibe that made me want to see what the place looked like.

Upon checking the location of the site, I found out that it was at Ifugao’s Mt. Napulauan. At that moment, I knew that hiking Mt. Napulauan would be in my included bucket list of things-to-do. Luck seems to have taken my side when I was invited by the hiking group Rakerong Trekero to join them in their year-end climb last December. And while the hike coincided with another year-end hike I was planning to be on, I was determined to see this flourishing emerald mountain that I dropped all plans that I made before and confirmed my attendance with Rakerong Trekero a month ahead of the hike.

I was also incredibly curious about hiking with another group and wanted to know how they worked as a team. Were they time bound? How do they welcome a new member—warmly or formally? How do they strategize logistics?

Well, I had about a month to find out.

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Day 1

Together with the group, we started with a long van ride to Ifugao on the evening of December 28.  I was hoping for clear weather, but as we moved closer to Hungduan, it started to drizzle.  The thick fog eventually covered the highway and by the time we reached the jump-off, most parts of the trail were already damp. It was going to be another extreme adventure on the northern playground! We started the hike at 8:30 AM.

Registration

The mountain is undeniably not a joke. Looking up from the jump-off at Hungduan, the gigantic mountain seemed to stare us down, challenging us to climb its steep terrain. Hiking up was a continuous assault on the joints and muscles as there were a lot of sharp turns and jagged points, with very few flat areas. However, I raise my voice in thanks to the heavens that most parts of the trail were shaded by trees, and the humid but cool weather—which I initially despised—turned out to be a blessing. I can only imagine doing this hike with the hot sun beating my back!! 

One of the few flat areas

Heading to Camp Ny-O

We stopped at Camp Ny-o for lunch.  The water source was only 10 minutes away, making this place an ideal campsite.  During our pre-climb meeting, it was agreed that we must bring our own packed lunch, but the rebel side of me decided to bring only one cup of rice.  A special shout out goes to my food sponsors that day, Mojo for giving me a hard-boiled egg and Dentor for sharing your packed pork and beans with me. We continued the climb at 1 PM.  The summit camp was approximately 3 to 5 hours away from where we had lunch.

The beautiful mossy forest starts to be more visible after passing the first water source.  The area was infested with blood leeches, but I came prepared.  I brought two bottles of alcohol and the suckers who tried to taste even a drop of my blood were immediately sent to the fiery depths of hell, writhing and twisting in pain as they did so. 

A tree covered with thick moss

Mt. Napulauan, as with other mountains in the Philippines, proved to have some unseen supernatural forces lurking within. I had a very uncanny feeling as I trudged the trail alone (I couldn’t match up to Mojo’s pace; he was at the front of the team). I heard some voices laughing when I hit my head on a tree branch and got hit by an unknown object flying out of nowhere. I got frightened and came up with two options: one, I can stop and wait for the rear team to arrive and hike with them, or two, run as fast as I can and hope to catch up to Mojo and our guide. It was already 4:30 PM and the surroundings were starting to dim and become cooler. I also couldn’t see very well at night. Fear eventually got the better of me, and I made a mad dash towards the summit screaming Mojo’s name and asking the unknown forces to spare me. Looking back, I probably looked like a crazed madman then, but I can’t care less. I finally reached the camp at exactly 5 PM. Mojo and our guide already had their tents set up.  

Camp Dunuan

The rest made it to camp at around 6 pm.  Everyone was exhausted and the wind chill factor at night had us shivering (it was 7 degrees Celsius!).  We had no social activities that night, so I decided to rest after eating dinner.
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Day 2

Heeding the call of nature, I went outside my tent at around 3 AM to do my business when I chanced to look up and see the night sky. Every nook and cranny of the vast expanse was dotted with stars! They were shining oh-so-brightly, like glimmering diamonds that were just waiting to be picked. Big and small, red, blue, yellow, and white, they seemed to promise a better next day. It was a sight I don’t think I’ll forget in a long time.  Before I went back inside, Memz asked me to get the stove near Mojo’s tent (it seems that not even the day’s fatigue can match up to the cold and kept her from sleeping).  

When I awoke at 6 AM, the bright, glorious morning that I imagined, streaks and swirls of red, pink, and bright yellow across the wide sky serving as a breathtaking background for the big round orange sun, was met with a sight of thick gray clouds and dense fog that made the ground damp. I guess I’ll just have to come back to see your magnificent morning scene, Napulauan!  
Summit Photos

Camp Site

Trees

Blogger Pose

Group picture before we descend

We started the descent at 9:30 am.  

Not even the heavy fog can hide the beauty that is Mt. Napulauan. The Balentimol trail that we followed going down showcases a thick mossy forest, comparable to that of Panay’s Mt. Madjaas. While it gave off an eerie vibe, almost like a scene from Friday the 13^th or The Cabin in the Woods, it was a wonderful sight to behold. It’s unmistakably one of the best forest trails I’ve ever seen!  

The Mossy Forest of Balentimol (Photo Blast)

The Couple

It feels as if someone’s going to jump at you at any moment

The Master Organizer

Groupie

Behind every successful summiter is a woodland!

Mojo while descending

Mt. Napulauan is not only known for its lush forests; it is also home to two majestic falls. I’m not sure what the names of the falls are or if they even are named, but we had lunch near one and I can attest to its grandeur. We passed the other one on the way down.

We continued the hike down at around 2 PM. I carried Dentor’s bag while Memz carried mine. There was a small accident going down and Dentor got a minor injury, but it wasn’t anything serious and we all got down safely

The FIRST FALL

Wise words from a master: True victory is achieved by those who smile after a great hurdle (JSC, January 2018)

ANOTHER FALL!

The last falls is bigger than the other one.  If there's enough time, this is a great place to celebrate and drink some beers!  

Flowing water

There are no words to describe the splendor that is Mt. Napalauan. While it is steep and has a rough terrain, the lush greens, majestic summit, breathtaking falls, and amazing trails that not even the thick fog can hide make it a mountain worth climbing. It unreservedly leaves a distinct mark to the minds of those who have conquered it. This is certainly a mountain I will climb again. Thanks, Rakerong Trekero for the experience!

Dinner at Mang Inasal

Conceptual Itinerary (Taken from the Event Page)
KKB / Open Itinerary
Entry Point: Hungduan
Exit Point: Balentimol

Day 0-Dec 28
1900: Assemble at Robinson's Pioneer
2000 : ETD

Day 1-Dec 29
0600 : ETA Banaue
0900 : Start Trek
1700 : ETA Campsite
2200 : Lights out

Day 2-Dec 30
0500 : Wake up Call
0800 : Start Descend
1400 : End of Trek
1700 : Homebound
Actual Itinerary
December 28, 2017
8:00 PM: Departure Manila (Pioneer to Banaue)

December 29, 2017
6:00 AM: ETA Banaue
8:30 AM: Start Trek
11:30 AM : ETA Camp N-yo / Lunch
1:00 PM: Resume Hike
1:10 PM: First Water Source
5:00 PM: Arrival Summit / Camp Dunuan (There is an existing water source near the campsite)
8:00 PM: Lights Out 

December 30, 2017
6:00 AM: Wake Up Call / Breakfast
9:30 AM: Start Descend
12:00 to 1:00 PM: Arrival First Waterfalls / Lunch
2:00 PM: Resume Descend
3:30 PM to 4:00 PM: 2nd Waterfalls (There were times when Mojo and I were running.  Most reached the last waterfalls at 4 PM)
4:00 PM: Resume Descend
4:20 PM: Jump-Off / Wash Up
6:00 PM: Departure Banaue to Manila
9:30 PM: Dinner at Mang Inasal 

December 31, 2017
5:00 AM: Arrival Manila (Crossing) Happy New Year!

Safe Budget for a Group of 14: 2.5 to 3k per pax (all in with excess)

Conceptual Expenses:
Guide: 1000/day(2); 5pax:1guide
Registration fee: 100/pax (Go directly to Hugduan)
Transportation(rented van; RT) 15000
food (own account): Group Sharing

Actual Expenses:
Guide: 2.5k (It so happened that there was only one available guide during our climb)
Registration Fee: 100/Pax
Transportation (Van): 16k
Foods: On our part we contributed 116 Php per person
Post Climb Meal (Mang Inasal): 3k (Savings from the supposed guide fee)
T-Shirt from Hugduan Tourism: 200 php each (on own account)

Worth Remembering (Memories and Thoughts to Look Back)
-  Body Heat
- Dentor carried my tent during this hike.  This was the first time that I didn't use my 85 L bag in a major climb.  Thanks buddy!
- Calling Voices
- The last customer of Mang Inasal
- Ang tibay naka short pa yung gago - Memz at 3 am to me
- Asan yung gin! - me at 3 am
- Eto alcohol oh (me); Bakit wala namang limatik ah (Raymond); ayan sa dibdib mo oh (me); asan? P******* meron nga! (Raymond)
- Marunong pala magluto si Mojo
- Ang kaskaserong driver, di niya ko pinatulog yung papunta kami sa Ifugao, ang lakas ng stereo niya
- Dentor Rolled on the ground
- Sino magdadala ng basura - Memz (obvious ba? ikaw! :P)
- May nalimatik sa ulo (Simeon)
- A moment which I had difficulty in crossing a very steep portion of the trail.
- Goodmorning Bimbi! - Raymond
- Jake ikaw humawak nung tarp ng Rakerong Trakero - Memz :P

Photo Credit to owners

Written by:  JSC

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Mt. Kalawitan (Back Trail): Halloween Climb // October 28 to 31, 2017

First Assault

This is the time of the year where family gathers, to reminisce the good old days of their departed loved ones.  But for people who love adventure, this is the perfect season to have some fun.  It was 6 to 8 months of planning.  This date was primarily allotted for a week-long climb to Mt. Mantalingahan in Palawan.  However, due to logistics issues, Rommel decided to defer the hike and realigned the plan to the north.

When one hears of Mountain Province, perhaps the most prominent places that might come into mind are the hanging coffins, caves, and waterfalls of Sagada.  Yet there are other places beyond the spotlight, which will give more spectacular and thrilling experiences to people who visit them.  One is the pristine Mt. Kalawitan, a contender to the 10th highest mountain in the country (Lasco, 2016).  Let the adventure begin!

Before the Hike
We arrived at the Golden Farm Resort at 7 am and had breakfast while waiting for the arrival of our guides.  The resort is being managed by the caretakers - a hospitable family of 5 members.  I really appreciated the manner of interaction between the 2 daughters with us.  They are very polite, and their voices are calm and captivating.  No wonder one of them was able to leave a warm mark within the heart and mind of Eco (nice!).  We started the hike at 8:30 am.  

Breakfast: Longsilog, chicksilog and brewed coffee

Group photo before the hike

The Hike (Back Trail)
Kalawitan has a huge resemblance to other northern mountains.  The trail has 3 parts: Camp Munna, Mateos Garden, and the summit.  During the first day, the weather was in our favor.  The sun showed its best performance, radiated powerful rays between tree branches, which created a mystifying ambiance within the forest of Pines, magnificent yet exhausting!  

Jerico at the open slopes

A forest of pine trees

A tree struck by lightning. Beautiful disaster!

Munna Camp

We stopped at Munna Camp for lunch. This is the first campsite and the culmination of pine forest.  Up to this point, the existence of that blood-sucking creatures is still negligible.  One may be complacent of having a short and safe rest.  

Honestly, days before this climb, I became hesitant when I learned from Rommel that this mountain has the presence of limatiks.  I had a terrible experience last September during our unsuccessful climb in Mt. Masaraga, wherein 2 to 3 limatiks entered my eyes!  I was just persuaded by the beautiful photos I've seen in our group chat.  

A burning pine wood, which smells like incense

Photo with the 2 new faces

Rommel and Cristel while preparing our lunch.  Most foods were already pre-cooked a day before the hike since this mountain is scarce of a water source.  I can't remember anymore if this is a beef stew

A supposed moment of rest which they allotted in drinking gin.  Later, one will learn his lesson, in a hard and dramatic way. :P

At about 2 pm, a group of descending hikers came after their successful climb.  We interviewed one of them regarding the things that lie ahead.  He told us that the trail is comparable to Mt. Amuyao and Napulauan.  They assaulted the day before and just settled at Mateos Garden by night, due to extreme coldness.  Similar to our plan, their group attempted to accomplish the Kalawitan Circuit (last recorded successful climb was on February 2016); however, they didn't push through because it will take 12 to 14 hours to finish the entire trail from the summit.  Added to the difficulties are the lack of water source and unestablished trail.   We decided to resume our hike at 2:30 pm aiming to reach the summit at night.  By this time, clouds were getting darker.

Hi Jordan! This was the first time I encountered someone carrying a stuffed toy during a climb.  

A series of ups and downs 

Water source at the mossy forest.  The last photo I've taken that day

At about 3:30 pm, we had another stopover at the first and last water source.  I believe, anyone will wonder after seeing it for the first time.  I was totally stunned and questioned our guide to confirm: "Sir dyan po ba talaga kumukuha ng tubig?".  Paulo and Papa Rhey had similar reactions.  Paulo asked me before he refilled his water bottle; while Papa Rhey asked Paulo in a shocking tone.  The water source has a very slow flow; flowing in thick muds where tadpoles were swimming (eh saan umiihi yung mga yon?!). The water is cold and tastes sweet.  Is it safe to drink? uhmm as of this writing, all of us are still living :P After a while, news reached us, a drowsy Rigor rolled on the ground (inom pa more! hahaha).  He only suffered a very minor casualty; we waited for them to arrive at the water source before resuming the hike.  By this time, we dropped the plan of accomplishing the circuit and decided to use the same trail in going back.  We resumed the hike at 5:30 pm.  

Mossy forest at night

Night Assault
It was an arduous night assault.   We experienced several continuous and seems endless steep ascent and descent; the rain poured down; the trail became muddy; the temperature dropped, and limatiks were everywhere!  My climb buddy that night was Papa Rhey.  When we reached Mateos Garden, the lead team was no longer there.  We waited for the rear team, then, decided to settle there and just follow the other group at dawn.  There is a good signal all throughout the trail, we notified Pau that we can't make it that night.

Day 2
We left our things at Mateos Garden and resumed the hike at 5:30 am.  The summit is just an hour away from the campsite. 

A dense forest

Summit

There was no clearing.  Mt. Kalawitan showed us its other form

Philippine Raspberry (Sapinit)

Summit Campsite

Blogger Pose :P

We don't die; we multiply!

Mateos Garden

Papa Rhey resting inside the newly acquired tent of Nato

The Dirty Kitchen

Breakfast / Lunch at Mateos Garden.  Raindrops are falling on our heads

We began descending on the same trail at 11:30 am.  Our descent was easier and was able to reach the jump-off before night. 
Descent Photos

Cristel our Hobbit - An unexpected journey in a faraway land

Mossy Forest

Our version of Silent Hill.  Moving back to Munna Camp

Take 5. performing a ritual dance?

Nature is the masterpiece of all art...can't be replicated...the most sublime! - JSC (November 2017)

Actual Itinerary

October 28, 2017 
8:00 PM: Departure Manila (Greenfield) to Bontoc

October 29, 2017
7:00 AM: Arrival Golden Farm Resort (Jump-off) / Breakfast
8:30 AM: Start of the Hike
1:00 PM: Arrival Camp Munna (1st Camp)
2:30 PM: Resume Hike
3:30 PM: 1st and last water source/rest
5:00 PM: Resume Hike
10:00 PM: Arrival Mateos Garden (2nd Camp) / Emergency Camp (Rear Team: Rommel, Rigor, Papa Rhey, Nato and me)
*Lead team arrived at the summit camp by 10 pm 

October 30, 2017
5:30 AM: Resume the hike to the summit (Rear Team)
7:00 AM: Arrival Summit
8:00 AM: Descend to Mateos Garden 
8:40 AM: Mateos Garden (Breakfast Rest)
11:30 AM; Descent to Golden Farm Resort
5:00 PM: Arrival Golden Farm Resort (Socials)

October 31, 2017 (others went to Buscalan to visit Apo Whang-Od)
9:00 AM: Bontoc to Baguio (Papa Rhey and I)
2:00 PM: Arrival Baguio (shopping)
3:00 PM: Departure Baguio to Manila
9:30 PM: Arrival Manila 

November 1, 2017
1:30 AM: Arrival Manila (Others who went to Buscalan)

Estimated Budget: 3 to 4k per pax (Group of 11)

Worth Remembering (Memories and Thoughts to Look Back)
- Cupid struck Jerico
- Para pong Napulauan at Amuyao yung trail - XoXo Teddy Bear owner
- The rants of the guides at night
- Summer Berries
- The scent of pine trees
- Rebelz Rebelz Rebelz (di ako tinigilan tinigilan ng founder)
- Ang dami nang napuntahan nito simula nung sumama ito sa ugat: Purgatory, Pulag, Ugo...blah blah blah.... tapos mag brebreakaway sa UGAT? - Paulo
- The secret getaway to Lawas Seaside Resort
- Paulo asan yung water source! (Papa Rhey)
- Xoxo Teddy Bear
- Hi Jordan! - Paulo
- The Rolling Rigor
- Bakit di ka makisocials dun sinong iniiwasan mo? (Pau to me) pagod na ko ui!
- Patag
- Ms. Che!
- Di makapasok si Rommel natatakot sa iyo (Paulo to Papa Rhey)
- Naliligaw tayo puro pababa to di ko na makita yung clearing (Papa Rhey)
- Limatik Attack
- Limatik attracted to blue color?
- Ang problema kasi sa Kalinga kapag umuulan madalas naglalandslide - Papa Rhey
- Ah ganun ba cge di na ko sasama - Me
- Strawberry wine that taste like vinegar
- Nilalamig na ko mag e-camp na tayo dito (Papa Rhey)
- Jake nakahanap ka ng climbing buddy mo ah, mahina na si Rhey (Paulo)
- Nato sprayed alcohol to his tent
- May na headshot ng unan sa muka
- The drunk Art Slapped by Papa Rhey
- Sabi ko naman sa iyo hindi habang panahon malakas ka surr (me to Pau)
- Kaya naman pala ng UGAT di uminom sa trail eh (Tel)
- Jake iiwan mo na kami? - Tel

Contact
Golden Farm Resort
Proprietor: Garman B. Pagaduan
Mobile no: 0935-665-1239 / 0905-320-0260
FB Page: Golden Farm Resort

References
1. Lasco, Gideon (2016, January 24). The 10 Highest Mountains in the Philippines (Updated 2016). Retrieved from http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2016/01/the-10-highest-mountains-in-the-philippines-2016-update.html

Photo Credit to Owners

- JSC

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