Pulag via Akiki

February 27, 2007

Just got back from what must have been my best Pulag trip ever. The weather was good (no rain, and the wind was mild).  It was actually possible to walk around camp barefoot and step right into the tent and not have to worry about tracking mud into the tent (just dry grass).  What we did was to climb the Akiki trail in one day, and have the rest of our gear (kahuna tents, barbecue, chairs, tables, cots, wine et al) brought up by porters on the easier ambangeg trail. This works out well as (1) we get to try the more challenging akiki trail (2) we get to traverse the akiki trail quickly, as all we have to carry is survival gear and (3) it's cheaper to hire porters to carry gear via ambangeg than via akiki!  (P1500 via akiki vs P500-600 via ambangeg).

 We were able to scale the Akiki trail and make it to the saddle camp in 7 hours. PAO Superintendent Albas seemed surprised at this time, so I'm guessing we must have been lucky - what with the trail being dry and all. Our guides were estimating the climb to take 13 hours, and the most aggressive climbers seemed to take 10 hours to scale Akiki. So perhaps the trick is to go ultra light and have all your gear waiting for you at camp when you get there!  The climbers I was with - Isaias Seronio, Cyril and Aidan Rocke were carrying far heavier gear than I was and made the same time - I'm guessing that the trail is actually doable in 5.5 hours - provided you don't stop to admire the view, take pictures, go ultra light (just carry your food, water, and raincoat/sweater/headgear/gloves/lamp).   

 

 

 

Pardon me monsieur, would you please pass the Grey Poupon?

 

It got so cold at night, there was enough frost on Aidan's tent to create a small ball of ice! Wow.  

 

directions to Mt. Pulag from Baguio.

February 21, 2007

This is for one of our climbers, who will be making their way to Pulag tonight.

From Wright Park take Pacdal Road up past (what used to be) Montepino condominium. This road goes direct to Ambuklao. It starts to descend at Beckel and you should get to Ambuklao Dam in 1-1.5 hours.  You'll probably catch the sun rising on your way to  Ambuklao, and it should be quite a sight. Be careful though as there is one fork in the road which can be deceptive. It occurs around 45 mins from Baguio. The left fork will look like the main road but it's actually the right fork that you have to take. The right fork leads upwards and the left fork is level. I wish I could give you more detail, but that's it. You'll just have to ask for directions to Ambuklao dam if you feel you've come to a deceptive fork in the road.  This fork occurs well before you start to see the lake (or more precisely, the Ambuklao reservoir).

Just before you reach the Ambuklao dam (perhaps 5 mins before), you might want to make the "mistake" of driving through Ambuklao town. The road will have signs directing you to go right. If you go left, you go through the town. There is some old American architecture here, much like the houses in Camp John Hay. One gets the sense that when the dam was built, the Americans running the project wanted good housing, and they seem to have gotten it. It's a bit surprising to see these structures, as the rest of the area seems really poor.

When you get to Ambuklao, you might notice  a road on the left that leads to Halsema highway. This is one of the bike trails mentioned in Action Asia (Baguio to Ambuklao to Halsema then back to Baguio). You'll come across this road just before the bridge that crosses over Ambuklao.

Ambuklao will be a sight for sore eyes as the area is relatively arid and there will be this immense body of water that will feel very cool to the eyes. Go over the bridge. From here on, it is about1.5 hours to Mt. Pulag National Park.

The road will now lead up and up will get quite dusty.  You will notice some bancas plying through Ambuklao dam, and your first thought - at least my first thought was - can I get a sailboat down there?  I didn't see a way to do it, but if you notice a path, do let me know.

There is only one major fork in the road, and that is the road leading to Aritao in Nueva Vizcaya. This fork occurs about an hour after Ambuklao. The right fork goes uphill and leads to Nueva Vizcaya. The left fork leads to Mt. Pulag. The fork is well marked. But in case you miss it, you'll know because the region will suddenly become very green. This is because the winds from the East are moisture laden while the winds from the West are generally dry. This is why Ilocos is so dry in this summer. And this is why when the winds are blowing from the East, you can expect clear skies at Mt. Pulaog.

About 45 mins from Ambuklao, you will be passing along a small river. You'll notice rice paddies on the left and actual scarecrows. My kids are always fascinated by these as the locals tie wires to the scarecrows and attach strips of paper to the wires that makes the scarecrows actually move everytime the wind blows.  I guess it actually works as there are dozens of these scarecrows along the way, all dressed in clothes and straw hats.

As you come close to Pulag National Park, you'll see a sign leading to a hospital on the left. keep going straight though (not left). The DENR office in Ambangeg is approximately 10-15 minutes away. You'll soon see a cemented road on your right (perhaps it was just well-paved; i'm not sure anymore). I believe there may be a sign here that says this is the way to the DENR office. Make a right and take the cemented road and you should be at the DENR office in less than a kilometer. The DENR office will be on the right, up a steep hill.  There will be a school on your left (close to the DENR office).

Park your car by the road, go to the DENR office, pay the minimal hiking fee and you're all set!