First Part, every adventure has a pre-begining
The adventure began with the search for a destination and get some guide or tourist operator that would allow me to reach the chosen destination.
Searching between different places to visit in this country, I got the option to meet the oldest ancestral tattoo artist in the Philippines, but by the time the trip would be made I still did not have my Filipino papers, without them, I preferred not to leave the capital. The trip could not be given although one of my first two objectives had already been achieved: I got a tour guide, and with it I started to agree to other destinations.
Weeks later, finally, my papers arrived and I contacted the guide to validate what was available tour in his agenda. The trip was to go to the mountains of Timbak (9th highest in the Philippines) and Tabayok (6th or 7th highest in this country [still in discussion]). It sounded interesting but because most of my camping gear stayed in Venezuela, I had to check what was available and what was the minimum that I should take to the trip. Luckily the most essential was a sleeping bag and although it took me several days, I got a moderately good and not so expensive one, plus another pair of accessories to make the trip more comfortable.
Once the implements were obtained, I decided to confirm my assistance to the trip only 4 days before. Unfortunately I would not go with anyone I knew, but I was still prepared to attend this adventure with an unknown group, and also somehow alone.
Searching between different places to visit in this country, I got the option to meet the oldest ancestral tattoo artist in the Philippines, but by the time the trip would be made I still did not have my Filipino papers, without them, I preferred not to leave the capital. The trip could not be given although one of my first two objectives had already been achieved: I got a tour guide, and with it I started to agree to other destinations.
Weeks later, finally, my papers arrived and I contacted the guide to validate what was available tour in his agenda. The trip was to go to the mountains of Timbak (9th highest in the Philippines) and Tabayok (6th or 7th highest in this country [still in discussion]). It sounded interesting but because most of my camping gear stayed in Venezuela, I had to check what was available and what was the minimum that I should take to the trip. Luckily the most essential was a sleeping bag and although it took me several days, I got a moderately good and not so expensive one, plus another pair of accessories to make the trip more comfortable.
Once the implements were obtained, I decided to confirm my assistance to the trip only 4 days before. Unfortunately I would not go with anyone I knew, but I was still prepared to attend this adventure with an unknown group, and also somehow alone.
Second part, from Manila to the first mountain and from there to the base camp
Friday night and the journey began ... After finishing work, I walk home to dress me properly, grab my "cachachás" and take a taxi to the bus station, where the meeting point was defined, to meet the guide and the rest of the adventurers
The terminal, full of people, but finally I got the travelers. They gave me a tent and the bus ticket. Departure time: 9:30 pm, destination Baguio. The trip there, like anyone on a bus. The arrival was at 3:00 am.
Already with our backpacks, we walked only a few meters in the cold city of Baguio to get us with our second transport, a Jeepney that would take us the rest of the way to the base camp. We assembled the backpacks on the roof, we tied them up and from there, we went to a local market to do the shopping that would allow us to cook the planned menu.
We then left to the place where we would have breakfast. I must accept that, due to the cultural difference, I knew that the food could be a bit complicated, however, I was also aware that this would also be part of the adventure. Maybe the best way to describe my breakfast is through this photo.
The terminal, full of people, but finally I got the travelers. They gave me a tent and the bus ticket. Departure time: 9:30 pm, destination Baguio. The trip there, like anyone on a bus. The arrival was at 3:00 am.
Already with our backpacks, we walked only a few meters in the cold city of Baguio to get us with our second transport, a Jeepney that would take us the rest of the way to the base camp. We assembled the backpacks on the roof, we tied them up and from there, we went to a local market to do the shopping that would allow us to cook the planned menu.
We then left to the place where we would have breakfast. I must accept that, due to the cultural difference, I knew that the food could be a bit complicated, however, I was also aware that this would also be part of the adventure. Maybe the best way to describe my breakfast is through this photo.
After a champions' breakfast and two cups of coffee, the destination was to reach a tourist stop, the highest point of the country's road system. A couple of photos, and now towards the first mountain.
The mountain is right next to the road, so we parked and started the hiking, a very short one without any difficulty. In spite of being the 9th. Highest mountain in the Philippines, reaching its summit only takes about 20 minutes, because you start very close to the top. The guide told us that this was just a warm-up for the next summit, the serious one...
Once we were at the top, we took pictures and a walk around, then started the descent and continue to our final destination, still on wheels, the base camp of Tabayoc.
This part of the trip was something exciting, I was invited to ride the jeepney (go on the roof), with the backpacks and the thing was exciting ... imagine the trip on mountain routes, cement or dirt, at the roof of a truck ...
Finally around 11.00 am on Saturday we were arriving at the base camp.
This part of the trip was something exciting, I was invited to ride the jeepney (go on the roof), with the backpacks and the thing was exciting ... imagine the trip on mountain routes, cement or dirt, at the roof of a truck ...
Finally around 11.00 am on Saturday we were arriving at the base camp.
Third part, a walk through the lakes
After setting up camp and lunch, we received recommendations from the park rangers, the truth is that I understood almost nothing in what refers to the uses of specific words because the message was in the local language, however I understood the general message: take care, protect, do not dirty, respect, be careful in the walks and have a positive attitude. I did not expect less from those people who decide to live so close to the mountains.
We started our route to the lakes and almost at the beginning of the walk, the rain also wanted to welcome us, which made it a little more "fun". The cold embrace the road, as well as mud and fog. Despite this, we managed to complete the trip and to visit the 3 lakes. Over the 3 of them, only one is like what we are used to, the other two were actually underground and walking "over them" was an experience similar to walking on those old water beds (know you may know my age hehehe).
We started our route to the lakes and almost at the beginning of the walk, the rain also wanted to welcome us, which made it a little more "fun". The cold embrace the road, as well as mud and fog. Despite this, we managed to complete the trip and to visit the 3 lakes. Over the 3 of them, only one is like what we are used to, the other two were actually underground and walking "over them" was an experience similar to walking on those old water beds (know you may know my age hehehe).
About two hours after the walk started, we were back at our base camp, soaked, cold and full of mud. The spirits of some had declined, others were the feeling that the mountain had already welcomed and baptized us.
The guides set out to make dinner and while we waited, some miraculous coffee cups appeared to warm the mood. After the coffee I started to prepare my backpack for the summit of the next day, and after that, I talked with the guides while they were cooking.
An important dinner, full of mixed flavors but very tasty (masarap in local language), was the end of the night and then we retired to sleep, because the attack of the summit would start at 4:00 in the morning.
An important dinner, full of mixed flavors but very tasty (masarap in local language), was the end of the night and then we retired to sleep, because the attack of the summit would start at 4:00 in the morning.
Fourth part, Summit of the Tabayac
At 3.50 in the morning I feel like the tent is moving and although whatever they told me was in Tagalog (local language) the message was very clear, time to wake up. I got up, I had the first coffee of the day and after brushing my teeth, i start my fight to deal with what is always the worst moment for me on these trips ... to dress my cold/wet clothes from the previous day's. For my luck the pants were only cold but quite dry, unlike the socks and shoes.
4:30 am would begin the attack on the summit, but first a prayer lead by the park rangers. I don't know if it was either a Catholic prayer, or to the gods of the mountain or to some other deity, but in either case I took the opportunity to do the same under my own beliefs.
4:30 am would begin the attack on the summit, but first a prayer lead by the park rangers. I don't know if it was either a Catholic prayer, or to the gods of the mountain or to some other deity, but in either case I took the opportunity to do the same under my own beliefs.
Ready to go, we walked to the mountain with the route illuminated by our lanterns. Few steps after started, we were full of mud again, which was expected based on the rain of the previous day. Thus we were advancing, step by step along a path that became steeper and steeper. My pace was not what I would have loved to have, but despite the "rust" I was still at a good pace. We made several stops to rest and re-group. whereas we advanced, the path became clearer because of the sunrise.
The first important stop, the window, a place where the wooded rise left a free space to contemplate the view at that height. From there we could see the base camp and everything that we had left behind.
The first important stop, the window, a place where the wooded rise left a free space to contemplate the view at that height. From there we could see the base camp and everything that we had left behind.
We went on, until we finally reached the summit (7.30am), one that for me was very particular. Unlike other summits, it was full of trees around and if it had not been for the guides, I would never have imagined that we had arrived. The people from the area created in this place a rudimentary staircase to overcome the wooded summit and above the trees placed a kind of platform that allows visitors to contemplate the view from the highest point of this mountain.
We enjoyed the summit, the photos, the stories of the path, we filled ourselves with energy and after an hour, we started our way back, which was less physically demanding but more delicate because now the descent, in addition to steep was also slippery
At the window, we took the opportunity to take a breath and rest a bit before continuing the descent.
At the window, we took the opportunity to take a breath and rest a bit before continuing the descent.
At about 10.30am we were back to the base camp, ready to rest and eat our well-deserved brunch, and then to pack our stuffs, and return to the city.
An interesting adventure where the common and uncommon elements were mixed within the adventure, an experience so similar to other peaks and as unique as each of them, that I allowed myself to enjoy as part of this new stage that I now am living and reminds me that, despite all the circumstances, despite how far the summit is seen, despite the cultural differences, in spite of everything, the road to success will always be accompanied by challenges, but also by friendly people who will help us to achieve the goal you have set for yourself.
An interesting adventure where the common and uncommon elements were mixed within the adventure, an experience so similar to other peaks and as unique as each of them, that I allowed myself to enjoy as part of this new stage that I now am living and reminds me that, despite all the circumstances, despite how far the summit is seen, despite the cultural differences, in spite of everything, the road to success will always be accompanied by challenges, but also by friendly people who will help us to achieve the goal you have set for yourself.
