Restday! Everyone has their own characterization of the term but all of us will agree that it is about doing what you love, it is about breaking a routine and doing something that ignites your passion to accomplish the weeks ahead. Obviously, my passion is to travel places from exploring the deep blue water to conquering the steepest mountains, I would do anything for a change. Climbing Mt. Tapulao is probably one of the challenging hike I had as a mountaineer but I’m glad to do it and I am wondering to go back ….. hmmmm just wondering *wink.
Mt. Tapulao is considered as the highest mountain in Central Luzon particularly in the Zambales Mountain range with a height of 2,037 meters above sea level or approximate 6,683ft this mountain is not as easy to hike as it looks. Tapulao is a local dialect of Zambales which means Pine Trees particularly “Sumatran Pine tree” which is abundant when you reach the top. Years ago chromite mining is active in the area by which affects the beauty of this mountain and the result is visible along the Trail but with the help of Sangguniang Bayan (SB) and DENR they were able to stop this destructive activity and came out with decree of transforming Mt. Tapulao as an eco-tourism destination which aims to preserve and protect the area.
ScyWasHere together with the gang of MPMC planned the trek 2 weeks ahead which includes gathering of contacts of some of the locals hoping to acquire a decent guide and logistics for transportation. Through searching the net for itinerary and tips, there we met: Ma’am Eliza Badar, Regulations Officer of Mt. Tapulao who assist us in our hike; Kuya Jun, Van rental owner, who ensures a safe and convenient trip to Zambales from Manila (back and forth). With all set and ready including the itinerary, we left Manila at around 10:00PM and arrived at the jump-off as early as 03:00AM where we greeted by Kuya Norly and Kuya Rocky, our guides. We proceeded to the Registration area to commence the hike, the local authorities are strictly implementing the “NO GUIDE NO HIKE POLICY” after some unfortunate events in the past. But for my personal opinion, having a guide throughout the hike makes the experience complete. Not only you immerse yourself to their surroundings but also you were able interact with the locals and get to know some of their cultures and customs. Having to say that, during our trek Kuya Norly told us that they came from Mt. Pinatubo and after the explosion in the year 1991 they were evacuated to Zambales. Since then they considered the place as their second home though no land title were given to them.
Based on the review from a professional mountaineer which they considered Mt. Tapulao as MAJOR climb with a rating of 5/9, this is not for a newbie climber. Soaring up to the mountain from the jump-off in Barangay Dampay is a staggering 18 kilometers which makes it 36 kilometers (two way), in addition to that is its unforgiving trail which is mostly ascend with minimal to none trail recovery but the adversity is paid off upon reaching the top.
The trail is mostly composed of loosen rock and if you are not careful with your steps you might stumble and get injured, boulders of rock are everywhere. Traces from mining are evident, you can see boulders that has drill on it which indicates blasting. During rainy season, the trail is flooded with gushing water which makes it even more difficult to tread on.
There are no remarkable views for the first 10 kilometers, the trail is fenced by either rocks, trees or tall grass. With this kind of scenery plus the unforgiving trail, I was like a horse marching with an eye cover looking at every steps just to be sure not to slip. There was a time during the trek that I swear to never go back again and keep on asking myself “is this even worthy?” Literary, I am struggling on my way up to the peak. Considering I hadn’t get enough rest, every stopover will be my nap time.
Then an unexpected change of sight happens after a 10 kilometer mark, after an hours of walking I can finally see pine trees while the cool breeze of fresh air damps the surrounding just like in Cordillera Mountains (Flashback Mt. Purgatory). Fog is preeminent which hides the beauty of its neighboring mountains but I am not worried because I do have second chance to see its picturesque landscape the next day going back to the jump off, besides, I am eagerly wanted to reach the base camp to have some rest.
After 10 hours of trekking! Seriously! Ok! Here’s the breakdown – that would be 7 hours of trekking and 3 hours of sleeping / resting *wink – hey were not that pro *smile. Anyways, reaching the campsite is very rewarding and not to mention the view, it is outstanding! Good thing about our guides/porter is that they are skilled and knows how to pitch different kinds of tent, as we arrived in the site the tent is already assembled *sweet. I immediately take a nap and start cooking my very first heavy meal.
While waiting for my food to cook, I find myself starring in a picturesque landscape the Camp 2 has to offer, I never thought it would be this breathtaking. Answering the question “Is this even worthy?” my heart is screaming “YES! THIS IS WORTHY!” in deed a rest day well spent. After eating early dinner, the gang preps for the socials but the cold weather is becoming unbearable so I decided to stay in the tent and eventually fell asleep. The camping ground of Camp 2 is not that rough, you will find it easy get a comfortable rest even if you’re sleeping blanket is thin.
Woke up at around 4:00AM to climb the summit, ready and recharged due to a full night rest I had a feeling that I can conquer any kind of trail *smile. Going to the summit, you will go through a Mossy Forest which composed of muddy and rocky ascending trail. Be cautious on the trail, I bump my head and shoulder for a countless times. Traversing through the mossy forest reminds me again of Mt. Purgatory, the place was enchanting. I suggest that you wear your jackets or compression pants and bring alcohol because limatik is everywhere.
After a 1.5 hours of trekking I was able to reach the tip of the mountain, the summit is not that big and cannot accommodate 20 or more hikers but the best part would be the view. Seeing the sun rise with almost no fog is the best part of this adventure and nothing can beat that, from the top you can clearly see its neighboring mountains and even the Scarborough Island. I think more people needs to do this not just to have an IG worthy of a shot but to appreciate and be aware of the importance and role of our mother nature to survival of every species on this planet. Definitely I am in-tapuLOVE with Mt. Tapulao *heart *heart.
So this is how I spent my day-off, how about you?
Itinerary:
Day 0
- 11:00PM Meet-ups in NLEX Sta. Rita Tollgate
Day 1
- 03:00AM Arrived at the Registration Area / jump-off at Dampay Salaza.
- 10:30AM Reached the 10 kilometer mark (Water Source).
- 12:30NN Arrived at the 12 kilometer mark, this is where the view gets exciting.
- 02:20PM Reached the 14 kilometer mark.
- 03:00PM Camp 2, FINALLY! Cooked some meal and had some rest.
Day 2
- 04:00AM Wake-up call.
- 04:30AM Start trekking to summit, do not forget the headlamp.
- 05:00AM Arrived at the mossy forest.
- 06:00AM “You arrived at your destination” (WAZE VOICE) at Mt. Tapulao Summit *wink (Feel the moment and have some fun).
- 06:30AM Start Decent to Camp 2.
- 07:20AM Arrived at Camp 2, eat breakfast and pack up your things.
- 08:50AM Start Decent to Jump-off
- 01:30PM Arrived at Registration area / jump-off.
- 04:30PM Going back to Manila.
Overall Expenses – For a group of 11:
- Php10,000.00 / Php909.00 each – Transportation (Rent Van).
- Php1,500.00 / Php136.00 each – Ma’am Elisa (Cooked Arroz Caldo and Issuance of certificate).
- Php3,700.00 / Php308.00 each – Porter / Guide fee plus tip of Php700.00
- Php50.00 – Registration fee.
- Total of 1,400.00+ each
Contact Person(s):
- 0909 724 7413 – Ma’am Eliza D. Badar, Mt. Tapulao Regulations Officer.
- 0916 567 0598 – Kuya Jun (Van Rentals) – Vehicle is in top condition and Kuya Jun did take care of us during the travel.
Editor’s Note:
- If you are planning to do this itinerary, I suggest that you go with a group or form a group to save extra money.
- Use basic protection for: skin = sunblock, eyes = shades, hair = cap, feet = a good pair of hiking shoes.
- Bring a lot of patience, trust me. Learn to appreciate small things which boost your motivation to go to the top.
- Don’t be like me! Bring sweater or jacket *laugh.
- Hiking can be difficult but having a reliable porter / guide makes things easy and light, be sure to look for Kuya Norly and Kuya Rocky *two thumbs up.
- Please observe the golden rule LNT “LEAVE NO TRACE” and CAYGO “CLEAN AS YOU GO”.
- Thanks to: BaseKamp for my tent, VansydicalPH for my compression pants, photos by GoPro Hero 5 and Canon G1X.
