Love at 2,922 MASL: My Mt. Pulag Experience with my Significant Other

"Love is like a mountain, hard to climb, but once you get to the top, the view is beautiful." ~Daniel Monroe Tuttle

Never did I imagine that I would be on top of Luzon's highest peak, third in the Philippines, with my significant other. Knowing its height and temperature, I have not thought that my body was strong enough to overcome the challenge. Since Thom gave me a great “wow factor” on our first hike at Philex Ridge and he's consistent in his persuasion, i just did what I never ought to do. This climb commenced our "official love story". <3

September 24, 2015

I & Thom took the last trip of Partas from La Union to Baguio City at 10PM. We reached the city at 11:58 in the evening and proceeded immediately to Kuya Tholz's (out tour guide during our trek at Philex Ridge) computer shop near SLU Main Gate. We barely got four hours of sleep. I hope that our body would still perform well in spite of lack of sleep. hehe! :D

Day 1 of the Hike (September 25, 2015)

At 4AM in the morning, from Kuya Tholz's computer shop, we met our companions at 7-11 near Victory Bus Terminal. We rode a chartered jeepney which took us to the DENR Office in Bokod, Benguet. We had two stop overs: a carinderia where we had our breakfast and the Ambuklao Dam. We reached DENR's office too early, so we need to wait until 8AM for the Registration and Briefing. We had a short film viewing and they reiterated the DOs and DON'Ts when hiking. They also told us that we should not make a lot of noise because the gods there will be disturbed or else it might rain hard, the fogs will dominate, and as a result we would not be able to witness the sea of clouds.

"Ano ready k n?", asked Thom while putting his arms on my shoulders. "Slight", I answered with a sweet smile.

After our business at the DENR office, we had our early lunch to a carinderia located few meters away from the registration site. After which, we had almost another half hour of jeepney ride to reach the Badabak Ranger Station which is the jump-off point of the hike, approximately eight kilometers away from the mountain’s summit.We took the easiest trail, the Ambangeg trail. Others can have the "killer trail" known as the Akiki trail. Wala naman kaming dapat patunayan, tama na ang Ambangeg trail kasi pare-parehas din naman kami ng summit. :)

The Ranger Station is where the trekking begins and is also the last point, I guess, where "I" can be comfortable. hahaha! :D

Look at me! ang senyorita ng kabundukan.. LOL! hahaha.. Not my choice, though! :D Thom offered to be a porter of my bag which left me carrying only our tent, my sling bag & his DSLR Camera. Nagpapalakas lang yata kasi siya para mapasagot na niya ako. hahaha! Just kidding.. :D

The first stretch of the trail is the pine forest. Oh well, kaya pa naman ng powers koh.. hehe! Thom has not covered for my weaknesses; rather,he helped me bring out my strengths . He had not underestimated my determination to achieve my goal: to reach the summit of Mt. Pulag.

We reached Camp 2 at 2PM, after almost four hours of walking. Immediately, we chose a nice spot perfect for our tent. Some of the members of our group have not yet reached Camp 2 and secretly, I told to my self, "Nice Krizza, atleast.. wahahaha!!!"

Immediately after setting up our tent, I took a nap and woke up at 4PM in the afternoon, even Thom recharged his self. Kuya Tholz told us to proceed on top of the hill located 500 meters away from the campsite to witness the sunset. And so, we fixed up... ready to go! :)

After passing through the pine and the mossy forest, we witnessed the abundance of dwarf bamboos. With these little thingies, the grassland brought us the state of serenity. Parang gusto ko ngang magpagulong-gulong na parang bata lang. haha! :)

While waiting for Mr. Sun and enjoying the cold breeze, we shared stories with the group.

The mountain has been a witness on how Thom cares for me. With just a simple "halika, alalayan kita", made me bounce between increased energy, accelerated breathing and a racing heart. Sitting next to him while waiting for the sunset is a wonderful thing.

The sunset was incredible though struggling by the presence of upcoming thick spread of fog. The sun looked so huge, the sky was filled with shades of orange, yellow & pink, and the clouds are like floating cotton. How magnificent the Creator is!

"Someday you will find the one who will watch every sunrise with you until the sunset of your life." ~Anonymous

Thom always inspires me to see beyond my own constricted world- being together, he always brings out the best in me. Yeah, we are traversing the Ambangeg trail to reach Mt. Pulag's summit; I know and I can feel it too that he's also pursuing to achieve my ultimate "YES" while traversing in our trail of friendship. Hindi din naman ako manhid para hindi mapansin efforts niya. hahaha!!

Anyways, we moved back to our campsite before the fog will hinder our way. After fixing our things, we had our early dinner, habang mainit pa. During the night at the camp, we had an unobstructed view of the clear, night sky. I was mesmerized by the numerous stars dotting the sky and I did even wished while gazing at the stars, "sana maabot ko ang summit bukas!". It's my first time to witness a lot of shooting stars. I guess, Thom also released a wish while looking above.

After letting us wish and see the other-wordly scenery of the sky, drops of water finally fell. Nonetheless, the cold never bothered us because of the multiple layers of clothes we were wearing as well as the heat of the hot milo we drank.

"Matutulog ka na? May sasabihin sana ako...", Thom said. My response? A burst of laughter.. Bigla akong natawa kasi alam kong may binabalak siyang sabihin eh. Nahawa siguro siya sa akin kaya tumawa na din siya. Just I have thought, magpopropose siya bilang boyfriend ko... Kala niya hindi ko ramdam ah. hahahah!

Thom popped the question through a note that he placed in his forehead, "Will you be my girlfriend?" Pinagbasa pa niya ako, ang dilim na nga. LOL! . I didn't answer him immediately. I told him to wait for few minutes before telling him my answer. Siguro, kinabahan siya... there was a total silence. Maybe he waited for 30 minutes.. buti nga di siya nakatulog sa kakahintay eh. wahahaha! :D At 9:58PM, i handed him a booklet that I prepared prior to our climb. Prepared kaya ako, never akong magpapatalo sa mga surprises nya. wahaha! :D What's inside that booklet? The wonderful things we shared and did together during his courtship and "we" as being friends. At the end of the booklet, I placed the date "09.25.15". Binasa ko 'ung tanong niya kaya babasahin din niya 'ung sagot koh. hahaha! Though he wanted to shout as loud as he can after my "YES" to him, naalala niya, bawal... bawal mag-ingay or else walang clearing bukas sa summit. So, he just hugged me sooo tight and kissed me in my forehead. Though it was dim, I still saw his sweet smile and even heard his pounding heart. Malamig ang atmosphere pero parang uminit dahil sa mga takbo ng pangyayari. haha! :D

The stars collided and the universe decided – my travel/climb buddy is now my ultimate lifetime buddy too! Merong FOREVER!!!!! :)

After the sudden turn of events, we are more than ready to climb the summit & witness the sunrise as lovers. oha! :D

Day 2 of the Hike (September 26, 2015)

After a good night rest, we woke up at 3:30 AM to have our breakfast before proceeding to roughly one hour and a half ascend to the summit. The cold air caused spasms in my lung airways, making it harder for me to breath; thus, we wore scarf over our nose and mouth. I even told Thom to breath through his nose to prevent cold air-induced bronchospasm. Thom assisted me in walking since it's still dark and the only light we have is coming from our flash lights.

Since the trail is a continuous ascend, i had experienced "i-want-to-give-up" moments again. "Malayo pa ba?" I asked Thom. "Malapit na. Kaya mo yan." he said. Mind should prevail over matter always. Kaya ko toh! :D

After my struggle, upon reaching Mt. Pulag's summit at 5:05 AM, we were rewarded with its astonishing view. We were welcomed by an amazing sea of clouds, the warmth of the rays of the sun, and a view of golden brown slopes of the mountain. The cold breeze at the summit was conquered by the warmth of love.

Though not within our reach, the fluffy clouds was amazing! My goodness, if only I can lay down there. :)

This view is priceless. OMG! The world is so wonderfully made! :)

We were very lucky since we were not crowded at the summit. They have not anticipated much the holiday.. haha! :)

Aloha! Summit picture with the group. :)

While enjoying the view, I paused for silence and reminisced the moments we had. I smiled. Looking back on the day we met, neither of us could have known that it would turn into something extra special. He got his own incredible way of making my heart happy. With every time that we are together- fetching me from my night class, coming for a visit at home, bringing me a milk tea, chatting & sharing valuable stories & funny moments, and more, I fell deeper in love with him. At first, I denied the feeling to myself; however, Thom puts so much effort in proving that his intentions are pure. It's serendipity... i found him without looking for him. Pooofff!! Bigla na lang siyang dumating sa buhay ko, buti I was paying attention, hindi ko siya dinedma. hahaha! :) I will never forget the moment when I realized that I love him so much.

Our love story has just began. Surely, we will make a lot of chapters and our story will never come to an end. God gave us a love story far better than we could ever dream of. <3 <3 <3

Oh what a success! we headed back at Camp 2 at 8:30 AM, started our walk back to the ranger station at 10AM and reached the Ranger Station at around 12 noon and proceeded at the carinderia to have our lunch as well as to take a bath. Taking a bath is like accepting the ice bucket challenge plus the soap and shampoo. haha!

Around 2pm, our group decided to go back to Baguio City. I enjoyed the jeepney ride while traversing the zigzag roads of the Benguet. Apart from astonishing scenery of Mt. Pulag, we were also fated to go to two places: the sulfur springs of Badekbek and the hanging bridge behind Jangjang's eatery.

I have not stayed longer seeing the muddy & bubbling sulfur springs because I can not tolerate the smell.. hahaha!

After which, we proceeded to the the longest hanging bridge in Benguet which stretches 290 meters long.

We look forward to more places to visit. Sa susunod ulit na paglalakbay!

Umakyat sa Pulag na single, bagbaba eh in a relationship na. haha! :)

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Expenses:!
Mt. Pulag Package- ALL IN (Incl. of meals, fees and transpo) - Php 1700
Transpo Expense (LU to Baguio City, vice versa) - Php 208
Total Expenses (per pax) = Php 1908

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AMAZING!!!! :) :) :)