Mt.
Tapulao
Palauig, Zambales
Moving Time and Day(s): 7 Hours and 50
minutes | 2 Days
January
26-27 2013
Long and drawn out trek as expected. The
entire hike covered a total of 36 kilometers back and forth. An early start is
a must.
Day 1. Before the sun totally unfolds, we started our
trek by 0555H. Other mountaineers started earlier than us. The trail starts
with an uphill, open and looks like a never ending rough road. More curves and
rocks have passed by. We reached the first water source (km. 5) at exactly
0825H. From there, the trail is shaded with trees. After 45 minutes of steeper
ascent, I reached the second water source near kilometer 10 marked. Then, I and
Sir Mike (group guest) took some rest and sleep. We didn’t notice that we
almost sleep for more than 1 hour. Sir Peter and other guests were already
eating their packed lunch at the water source. Then, the last batch of UE
Mountaineers came. After we took our lunch, I and Sir Mike trekked ahead to
secure campsite (1150H). Few meters away, I passed again the other group who
I’ve passed before I reached km. 10. After the constant steep trail, the pine
trees appear. I hastily walked and crossed the ridge which is graduallydescending
and easy. The trail became steep again. Between km. 14 and 15, the trail is
relatively easy and descending. There is a campsite near abandoned guard house at
km. 15. Few minutes later, I arrived at the bunker (1330H). I secured our
campsite and pitch my tent. It was difficult to put pegs on the ground but luckily,
the campsite is covered and protected by trees and slope of the mountain.
A
delicious meal was served that night. Little by little the atmosphere was
getting colder and the temperature dropped between 13-16 degrees Celsius.
Day 2. Supposedly, 0400H was our wakeup call but no
one would like to get disturb. Despite of chilly temperature, we forced to wake
up (0530H) because we would like to catch up the sun rise and hopping to witness
the sea of clouds as a reward for ourselves. We started our summit assault at around
0620H. Another campsite was established in the pine forest area before entering
the mossy forest. Finally, the summit of Mt. Tapulao was conquered after twenty
minutes of grueling ascent.
Pine forest, chilly temperature and
views are among fascinating and captivating attractions in Mt. Tapulao. Chromites
are also found and once mined in Mt. Tapulao. We were rewarded with great
views, good weather and incredible experience. I also congratulate the newly
inducted members of UE Mountaineers.
We descended for about 10-15 minutes. After
we took our brunch, we’ve started our descent by 1105H. The trail is not
technical or scrambling but the descent is like a torture for both knees and feet.
One of the longest descents I had so far. I descended for about 2 hours and 55
minutes without taking rest and stop. Weew! Another successful climb!
|
From
|
|
To
|
Moving Time
|
Ascent
|
Jump off
|
-
|
Km. 5 |
water source
|
2 Hours and 30 Minutes
|
Km. 5 |
water source
|
-
|
Km. 10 |
water source
|
45 minutes
|
Km. 10 |
water source
|
-
|
Bunker | Campsite
|
1 Hour and 40 Minutes
|
Bunker | Campsite
|
-
|
Summit
|
20 Minutes
|
Total
|
|
|
5 Hours
and 15 Minutes
|
Descent
|
Summit
|
-
|
Bunker | Campsite
|
15 Minutes
|
Bunker | Campsite
|
-
|
Km. 10 |
water source
|
55 Minutes
|
Km. 10 |
water source
|
-
|
Km. 5 |
water source
|
30 Minutes
|
Km. 5 |
water source
|
-
|
Jump off
|
1 Hour
|
Total
|
|
|
3 Hours
and 10 Minutes
|
Hiking companions:
Peter Paccarangan
EJ Soriano
Renan Toledo
Jules Icban
Jepoy Polo
Raenar Lim
Edison Longasa
Charles Flores
Debs Con
Mike Juan
Ishy Samaniego
(.. at yun isa,sorry)
Trivia:
Chromite is an iron chromium oxide. Chromium is extracted from it to make
stainless steel and other alloys for which resistance to oxidation and
corrosion is important. – ask.com
Notes: During weekend, tricycles are present
in Brgy. Salaza highway. Before 06:00am, tricycle fare is 250php for 3pax and
additional charge if exceeded. Fare is 200php on day time. From Sitio Dampay to
Iba bus terminal, fare is 400php.
Tips: If you didn’t catch any trips back to
Manila. Take bus that will pass by Olongapo. From Olongapo, there are many
options to choose.
Mt. Tapulao Itinerary
Day 1
1100 ETD Manila (347php)
0330 ETA Iba, Zambales (additional 39php to
Salaza)
0345 ETD
0405 ETA Barangay Salaza Palauig, Zambales
0430 ETA
Sitio Dampay (250php / 3pax)
0555 Start
trek
0825 ETA
Km. 5 | water source
0910 ETA Km. 10 | water source | Sleep mode
Lunch
1150 Resume
1330 ETA Bunker | Campsite
Day 2
0630 Head
to Summit
0650 ETA
Summit
0730 Back to campsite
0745 ETA
Campsite | breakfast
1105 Descent
1200 ETA
Km. 10
1230 ETA
Km. 5
1330 ETA
Jump off | Sitio Dampay
1800 Back
to Iba (400php /3pax)
1900 ETD
Iba (347 php)
1200 ETA
Manila
