It is one of the highest peaks (Elevation: 1,846 MASL) in the Cordillera region, with amazing flora and fauna. Because of its temperature, the trees, grass, and flowers look so healthy, making the mountain look gorgeous. Our itinerary was, instead of a public vehicle, we chartered a van for our transportation to the North. Thirteen of us met at Crossing, including Rio, our Chinese visitor. From Manila to Baguio City took us six hours of travel, so instead of getting bored while on the road and the rains were dropping, it was filled with stories of our previous hikes.
We arrived in Baguio City past eleven in the morning. We had our breakfast/lunch at Emil Rose Restaurant. The ambiance inside this restaurant is amazing; there is no air conditioner, but the temperature is cool, and the foods taste good and are served elegantly. After the sumptuous lunch, we continued traveling to Itogon, Benguet.
From Baguio to Itogon is more than an hour of travel, but it was a bit challenging because of the bad weather. The rain and the wind were strong, and the roads were covered with fog, making zero visibility. It was past one in the afternoon when we arrived at the covered basketball court. Took a short break and processed the registration and guides.
The management did not authorize us to continue a day hike because of the bad weather conditions. Instead, we set up a camp at the covered court, other groups followed, and we started preparing our dinner. After dinner, we had our socials and rested at around two in the morning. Three-quarters of the basketball court is covered, but the temperature is really cold.
Things to Remember before trekking Mt Ulap: Temperature, Trails, Campsite, and Difficulty: Woke up at five in the morning; prepared coffee, noodles, and bread with cheese for our breakfast. While having our Breakcamp, five familiar faces arrived, including our very own Iosif. The last time that we met Iosif was two years ago, during our Mount Mabilog hike, so it was a long, long chit-chat while we were also preparing for our ascend.
Seven in the morning—we left the court. The first part was walking on an ascending concrete road, then followed by trekking. The terrain is clean, with grass on the ground, pine trees, and gorgeous flowers. The trail is considered gradual, but our hike was a bit challenging because of the bad weather conditions. The trails are wet, muddy, and slippery. The surroundings are also covered with thick fog, making us not to witness its natural beauty. The photos below will describe how the bad weather conditions affected our hike.
Photo captured at the First Camp of Mt. Ulap. |
The area is wide and open, but was still covered with thick fog; rock balancing was also created to add art to the background. We waited for a few minutes at Camp 1 hoping for the weather to settle but no changes at all, so we continued ascending.
The view at the summit of Mt. Ulap. |
It took us almost two hours from Camp 1 to Gongal or Camp 2. Upon arrival, there were hikers having their photo ops on top of the boulders. The same scenario: the area is covered with thick fog, the wind is strong, and the raindrops are like blades slashing our skin because of its cold temperature. We stayed here for an hour and then, descent.
At exactly twelve noon, we reached the jump-off. The same weather condition. Rested. Tidy up and left Itogon. Our next destination was Baguio City for our meryenda at Good Taste. We were all tired, but while on the road, everyone was energetic, especially when we talked about peanuts. May mga nahugasang peanuts, may dry na peanuts, may wet na peanuts, pero kahit kelan wala pa akong nakitang pa-horizontal na peanuts.
This is Batang Hamog Mountaineers' 6th year anniversary! I am happy to see these people again. Sabi ko nga: "Kahit hindi matuloy ang akyat sa Mount Ugo, basta kasama ko ang mga indibidwal na ito, masaya na ako at hinding-hindi ko pag-sisisihan. Hangang sa susunod!"
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