Mt. Daraitan Fun Climb

I still remember it was Halloween when I revisited Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal. That time I was already prepared for the Daraitan summit. I went there a couple of times but I wasn't prepared for it and since it was just a week after my birthday I considered this climb as a gift to myself for I have been striving for it for a long time. It was already dark when we arrived in the village, we planned to stay overnight near the jump off point but later decided to trek and stay in the campsite near the summit instead! So okay, I haven't tried trekking in the dark so I guess that was it! And our group went off!

It's showtime!

My imagination started to get wild as we walked along the wet, slippery, dark and lush forest. It was Halloween and creepy images started  to show in my mind. How foolish am I to forget my headlamp or at least a flashlight to light my way, good thing a friend was kind enough to lend me his spare headlamp so I should be fine. On our way to the jump off point, my headlamp focussed onto this signage, when I read it I want to go back and go home! But I have to finish my mission so I must be brave! And if I am not mistaken there are 7 rest stations in the mountain where we stopped to breath. I should say that the trail was short but steep!

After two hours we arrived at the campsite, just before it started to rain hard. Before pitching our tents we had some hot coffee in a nearby hut where a local was resting in a hammock, he started to tell us stories about "cloud rats"! They're big rats, which sneaks in tents and steals food from backpacks... and I was so scared that made me sleepless that night!

Behave cloud rats!

Okay this is how cloud rats looked like for those who haven't seen one like me. I took this picture when I went to Mt. Pulag after my Mt. Daraitan climb. Can you see the claws? Anyway, I think they're not that bad according to the description written on the canvas. So back to Mt. Daraitan.
That night, it was raining so hard, it was cold and the rainwater kept on flowing underneath the tent. I kept on praying for the rain to stop, so we can make it for the sea of clouds which Mt. Daraitan is also known for like with Mt. Pulag. At 5 AM we got up and started to walk going to the summit, it was just 15 minutes walk from the campsite to view the sunrise and the sea of clouds as well!

Unfortunately the sun didn't show up and the sea of clouds wasn't that impressive. But when the darkness faded away, I was rewarded with the immense view of the mountains and the winding course of the Agos River.

The long and winding Agos River

Yay!

 Jagged rock formations occupies the summit, they come in different sizes and shapes, just be careful when stepping on it because it's slippery, you might fall off the cliff.

It was a fulfilling experience, stepping on the grounds of the summit made my adventure very memorable and I thought that was it but wait...there's more! On our way to the campsite we passed by a mossy forest which made me stop and feel the breeze! You know the feeling of walking along mossy trees, the appearance and scent of the old moss plant apparently signifies that the forest has been in existence for a relatively long time!

Plenty of clingy moss on old trees, I just don't know the name of these trees but I think they have been together for a very long time. I just can't imagine how long this ball of moss was formed.

Goodness gracious great ball of moss

And of course mossy forest wouldn't be complete without mushrooms! There are lots of them,  tiny white buttons sprouting on old mossy tree trunks!

Mushrooms to make you grow just like Mario!

I wish these wonderful works of nature would be left untouched by human hands, they look so delicate and I think it would take some time before they sprout or formed. So let's be concerned about it.

Creepy-crawlers has also a space in the mossy forest and they're cute, they just don't care even if I take a lot of pictures of them in different positions.

I think everything I want to see and experience in a mountain are all in Mt. Daraitan. Clouds, mountains, rock formations, mossy forest, flora and fauna, packed together making this mountain an amazing place to explore! All I wish is that these wonderful gift of nature will be protected and that wouldn't be possible if visitors won't help conserve the biodiversity present in our environment.
I thank you for reading and you might want  to read more about my adventures in Daraitan at http://makitambay.blogspot.com/2015/03/dare-daraitan.html .

Sweet Cold Embrace of Mt. Pulag

It seems like Mt. Pulag has been one of the favorite playground of nature lovers, despite of the very cold climate, there's no way that it can stop them. Maybe for others they like that kind of weather but for me, it is one of my most dreaded situations because I am allergic to cold weather! My skin gets itchy and I tremble so easily, so I had a hard time deciding, that's why I am so late going there. But who will not chill with the 5 degree freezing temperature?

Amazing view of the summit!

Anyway, Mt. Pulag is the third highest mountain in the Philippines standing at 2,922 meters high above sea level and its peak meets the borders of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya. The mountain is famous for its superb sea of clouds which tourists can enjoy during sunrise and take selfie or groupie shots or panoramic shots or whatever kinda shots. Or you can just stand and admire the gift of heaven to mankind.

Campsite.

We arrived at noon and camped just a few blocks away from the ranger station. It was not that cold yet that I still enjoyed the cold breeze but not until late in the afternoon when wind started to howl, and the ground became so cold that it was penetrating through the tarpaulin, the insulation and the thick sleeping bed in our tent. The temperature started to drop until our tent has become a freezer!  Before that, I had some time wandering around the place and it is way too far from the chaotic environment of the metropolis.

Awesome View!

We had dinner at 6 PM, early huh? We should get some sleep for our trek going to the summit which will start at 1 AM. I had a hard time sleeping because it was so damn cold! I took a few shots of brandy to make me feel warm but it didn't help. By 11 PM I stood up and walked out of the tent to move my numb body and it helped! At 12 MN we had some coffee and sandwiches and prepared for our trek. I got four layers of tops (2 heat tech shirts, a wool sweater and a hooded jacket), three layers of bottoms, two socks, a shawl to wrap my head and half of my face, a thick scarf and gloves. I thought that would keep me warm but not really. I don't have a photo of me with that outfit because I looked like a ninja spring roll.

We started to walk at 1:30 AM and it was totally dark in the forest, only the flicker of headlamps and flashlights lighted our way which looked like fireflies flying in single file. We passed by Camp 1, and arrived  in Camp 2 by 4:30 AM, and because it's too early to go to the summit, we stayed at the bunkhouse to rest and prepare for the assault to the summit. It would take another hour of trekking to get to the summit so we must regain energy and so I slept!

Magic!

It didn't take too long, we started to ascend to the peak... it was drizzling, dark and cold! But thanks to the long trek which made us sweat and kept us warm a bit. Sunrise hasn't shown yet when we arrived, but as soon as it emerges on the horizon everyone stood up, started to set their cameras and clicked away! Be sure you wrap your cameras with thick cloth before trekking just to be sure it will work at the peak. Clouds came passing by in different shapes, it crawls along the slopes of the mountains and it was a fantastic phenomena of nature! Well I saw sea of clouds every time I'm in a plane, but it's something different when they're within your reach and touches your face. They're like acrobats in the air entertaining each and everyone of us there! It was an amazing experience!
Now back to the campsite!

 Well talking about cameras...my DSLR didn't work on that moment! Oh my God, why did you let it happen? It's a good thing that I brought my underwater camera so I thought there would be no problem with it getting moist and all, but if not I wouldn't have any photos at all!

Well I don't have any idea how it was like when we were going to the summit, but I never realized that there were more surprises and it was this beautiful! How wonderful it was to walk along the trails surrounded by rolling hills and clouds and it is such God's grace!

 This dog keeps on guiding us, going to the foot of Mt. Pulag but it disappeared later.

I think this white flower is "Edelweiss".

Some frozen delights along the way. I learned that we also passed by a large area of mossy forest, which I think has inhabited the mountain since time immemorial.

Hands off please!

And as we got to the foot of Mt. Pulag, another surprise awaits!

Oh well, I was tired, my body and feet hurts but I am very very happy! I promise to go back and commune with nature again in this wonderful gift of heaven.

REMINDERS:
1. Be sure that you secure a medical certificate before you go. No medical certificate no climb.
2. Attend the orientation at the DENR office for some information about the going there and how to stay safe while on the mountain.
3. Please LEAVE NO TRACE! Do not leave your trash, put them in a garbage bag and dispose them properly.
4. I have to tell you that it is really cold up there, so be sure you're prepared for it. Keep yourself warm. Layers of clothes, socks, scarf, beanie and gloves is advisable.
4. Homestays and campsites are available and can be arranged.

HOW TO GET THERE?
1. There are travel agencies that books tourists covering transportation expenses, food, tour guides, accommodations and other fees. All you have to do is pay, pack your things and get on the bus!
2. If you're on your own, take a bus going to Baguio via Victory Liner. Find a transportation which will take you to Mt. Pulag in Kabayan. There are jeepneys outside Victory Liner terminal which takes passengers to Mt. Pulag.
3. Attend the orientation at DENR office. IT IS A MUST!

It is better if you have an arrangement with homestays, they can arrange everything for you. Well thank you for reading and until my next adventure! I was with Travel Factor during this trip, it's a travel agency and they arranged everything for us. Please visit their Facebook page.