Mt. Pulag via Akiki-Ambangeg Trail Day hike
Kabayan Benguet
Trail: Akiki - Ambangeg
Moving Time and Day(s): 6 Hours and 45 Minutes | 1 Day
June 3 2012
I generally like the
serenity of Mt. Pulag. It was my 3rd time in Mt. Pulag and 3rd time on akiki-ambangeg trail but this
time I hike Mt. Pulag on a day. Many have done this ultimate Akiki-Ambangeg day
hike. It’s been months of waiting and this time I can say that I’m proud to
accomplish this challenge.
My guide and I agreed to
start our hike on 0400H but it seems my guide forgot our agreement. I went at
guide house below visitor center office. I wake him up and he quickly gets his
things. We started our chilly trek at 0500H. We arrived at Eddet River at
exactly 0550H. I felt my legs are getting tired because of traverse from Timbak
and I’m feeling so sleepy. We reached Marlboro Country at 0710H. We took a full
rest and after breakfast then, I took a snap. Light rain suddenly poured and I
felt colder. We resume our trek at exactly 0810H. From a 45-minutes trek away
from Marboro, we arrived at mossy forest water source (last water source in
akiki trail).
 |
| Mossy Forest water source/ akiki last water source |
I felt exhausted in pine forest trail but when I arrived in the
last water source I felt different and I’m more excited because summit is just
an hour away even though view weren’t available. We arrived in saddle camp site
at 1010H then we get inside the guide mini house which serves as their sleeping
pad. Light rain with cold winds has been encountered since we’ve arrived in
Marlboro country up to summit down to ambangeg. The chilly temperature was
tolerable but once I stop and rest for about 2-3minutes, it was shivering and
freezing. Wind breaker jacket and rain coat saved me from wet and cold
trekking.
Finally, we started to descend. My guide asked if I want to go in the
summit but I told him “No” because I’ve been there and sometimes summit is just
optional for hikers. It was the second time I didn’t went in the summit because
of no-visibility reason and weather. Another reason was my goal is just to day
hike Mt. Pulag via akiki-ambangeg trail. But if there’s a nice view that time,
the summit is a really must go and I would be happier because that’s what we
called “Reward” or “gift” after worn-out long day or lengthy hours of trekking.
The gradual and easiest trail of Pulag or Ambangeg or my Boss called it
“Executive trail” was no problem negotiating at all. One hour from saddle we
arrived in Camp 2 and met my friends (Karina and Don). I was really in a rush
that time to catch them up in the trail or in the ranger station to hitch on
their chartered jeep. We resumed our trek and then took our final rest at
Camp 1. The final push was straight down to Babadac Ranger station but the jeep
was not able to go near the ranger station because the road was under
construction. We need to trek 10-15 more minutes. My ultimate day hike was done
at exactly 1245H and I just waited for my friend to hitch.
Mt. Timbak
– Mt. Pulag Akiki-Ambangeg Dayhike Itinerary
Day 0
2300 ETD Manila
(Bus 444.00php)
Day 1 Mt. Timbak
traverse to Kabayan Central – Akiki Jumpoff
0530 ETA Baguio
0545 ETA
Slaugther terminal (taxi 55.00php)
0645 ETD
0815 ETA Km. 50
(stopover at Northway
sizzling & Snak House)
0845 ETA Km. 55
Atok Benguet (Bus 80.00php)
Start
Trek
0935 ETA Sir Salvador
Place
Kwentuhan
with Camsol Family,
5 mins. to Timbak summit
1040 ETD going
to Kabayan Central
1145 ETA Gate
1300 ETA
Tinochol Cave Entrance
1310 ETA
Y-junction waiting shed
Left:
to Kabayan Barrio;
Right: Shortcut to Kabayan
Central
1400 ETA
Kabayan Central
Lunch,
Buy stuff
1450 Resume
Trek. Head to Akiki Ranger Station
1515 ETA Akiki
Visitor Office/ Ranger
Sleep
at school
Day 2 Mt.
Pulag Akiki-Ambangeg Dayhike
0500 ETD
0550 ETA Eddet
River
0635 ETA e-camp
0710 ETA
Marlboro
Breakfast,
full rest
0810 Resume
Trek
0855 ETA Mossy
forest water source
1010 ETA Suddle
(10 mins. to summit)
1030 Descent
1130 Camp 2
1200 Camp 1
1245 ETA
Babadac Ranger Station
Lunch;
Hitch going Back To Baguio
2140 ETD Baguio
0330 ETA Manila
Stats
Halsema highway km. 55 - 2326.538m
Mt Timbak Summit - 2727.96m
Kabayan Central - 1100m (approx.)
Akiki visitor office - 1278.331m
Eddet River - 1281.988m
Marboro - 2123.541 m
Mossy Forest Water Source - 2490.520 m
Saddle Camp - 2797.759 m
Mt. Pulag – 2922m
Camp 1 - 2579.522 m
Babadak Ranger Station - 2460.955 m
Budget
and Expense
444 Bus (Manila-Baguio)
55 Taxi (terminal-slaugter terminal)
80 Bus (Baguio- KM 55)
200 Meal and stuff
180 Pulag fee
800 Guide Fee
300 Jeep
450 Bus (Baguio-Manila)
2509 Total
