MT. TAPULAO

(HIGH PEAK)

www.akamug.com

Iba, Zambales

Nov. 13-14, 2004

By: McMike_Angel@akamug.com

Popularly known as “High Peak, Mt. Tapulao is considered as one of the most challenging destination here in Luzon requiring at least 10 hours of continuous trek on a rocky miners trail. It will test your endurance to the limit. The trail stretches about 15 kilometers up to the campsite called "Bunker", Very much exposed to the sun during summer and quite treacherous during rainy season.

Resting in the province of Zambales approximately 4 hours from manila, it offers an extra-ordinary view of the central Luzon and Zambales Highlands.

Sir Romeu reserved 6 tickets at Victory Liner Bus bound for Iba, Zambales scheduled for departure @ 2300 on the 12th of November 2004. Again, only few regulars had attended, but as always, a new climber accompanies us. Introducing... Sir Archie! My schoolmate in Gumaca and T.U.P Manila. He has been aware of Akamug’s existence for a while, but he never had a chance to meet us personally and discussed his interest until this month. We crossed roads in Manila just recently.

Assembly place is at Victory Liner Terminal in Monumento just before 2200; a group of young mountaineers was also there waiting for departure. Their Team Leader approached us and had a brief chat. The group is from F.E.U Outdoors, a school based mountaineering organization in Manila. It was their annual induction climb for new members.

The Bus left the terminal as scheduled. We took a brief nap to give us enough energy for the long day ahead. The four-hour journey passed by the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Some portions of Bataan and Olongapo City.

Akamug arrived in Iba at around 0300; the jump off point is still far from here. It would still take an hour to reach brgy. Dampay Salaza via jeepney or tricycles. There is no regular trip going in or out of the barangay so you should prioritized transportation arrangement before hand. FEU Outdoors also coordinated with us regarding the transportation. The tricycle drivers insisted PhP 250 but that would be too much for a trycle ride right? The alternative is to rent a jeepney but the tricycle drivers aren’t going to give-up easily. Sir DjXpact talked to a local that would show us where to hire a jeep, the tricycle drivers got angry with him. And we got angry too! Sir DjXpact confronted the drivers and explained the circumstances of what they’re doing. Or else, we’ll see them in Iba Municipal hall! The tension got high. I am really mad at people taking advantage of situations to earn money.

Here we are stocked in this dilemma.?Time is very important. At last, an agreement has been made. They lowered the priced to PhP 1080 for 6 tricycles or PhP 180 per tricycle. (Still too much!). But anyway, to cut the story very short we departed from Iba bus terminal at 0330. It’s very cold though because of the wind. The tricycle runs at its terminal speed, as if there is no tomorrow. After an hour of racing. we arrived at the Jump off point.

"Kagawad" as they call them is the person-in Charge of the registration. His sari-sari store was already open when we arrived. He advised us not to proceed until the sun rises because there was an on-going military operation in the area. A number of soldiers went up yesterday. However, we decided to push through, we’re loosing too much time. 6 Akamug’s and 12 FEU outdoors agreed to trek through the dark. But of course, extra caution must be observed to be away from any untoward incident. Just keep your headlamp down and never search in the dark for no important reason. Keeping the pacing of the climb also ensures that no one will be lost. We started the trek @ 0500.

There are two water sources available; the first is halfway of the climb and at the campsite. So water isn’t that much of a concern. The trail is wide and very visible; it stretches to several mountains before even seeing Mt. Tapulao. Yes dude, several mountains. Going up and down through these contributes to the strenuous part of the journey. Three hours had past, @ 0800, the scenery was pretty much the same. The sun was already up; we rested for a while..then short breakfast followed.

We continued the trek. And continue. Continue…until Sir Romeo can’t take it anymore. I mean his stomach can’t take it anymore! Yap, we were very hungry because it is already 1200. We were supposed to have lunch at the first water source but we ran out of patience. Adobo Gang Strikes again!

The temperature started to drop gradually. Even under the sun, we can feel the coldness of the surroundings. A military chopper was on patrol almost every hour, searching for something. I hope they will not drop any bombs today because we felt that they are watching our moves. He he he.

We reached the first water source. Fetched several liters of water then proceed. It's’s now 8 hours since we started the climb and yet we can't’t even see Mt. Tapulao! Although partially visible, it was still too far. Then after another hour here comes the High Peak!?. Hiding in the clouds. In complete silence.

The long and winding road leading to the campsite can be seen, still too far to conclude. We decided to rest for a while and took some pictures, just to refresh. We resumed the trek few minutes later. We were very much tired…Exhausted by the never-ending rocky road. Constantly looking for any sign of the Bunker. We saw an abandoned Electric Generator, a good sign that we are getting near. The time is 1600. Too hungry and tired to move on. The temperature had also started to drop so we put our jacket on.?We decided to rest (Again) and cooked hot noodles to replenish our lost energy. We will never give up this easy; we know that the journey has only begun. There are plenty of things to do so get up and go to work! He he he?

We continued the climb in a relatively slow manner. Trying to use our energy efficiently as much as possible. Pushing ourselves one step at a time. At last! After nearly 12 hours of trek, the campsite appeared. It’s actually situated in the Miners Trail itself in front of two semi-concrete houses. A lone man lives in the bunker; he is the caretaker of the place. Manong Monolito, in his mid 50’s, a very funny guy.

Manong Manolito told us some stories as he light up a bun fire to counter the freezing cold. Sir Alex and Sir Romeu prepared for dinner. Others fetch water few meters from campsite. The sound of the blowing wind can be heard, whooshing on the leaves of pine trees. No social tonight, it’s very cold outside the tent. Argg!! Let's sleep na Lang Mga Sir! Lamig Eh!

Akamug has decided earlier not to push through with the summit because we were very much drained, anticipating the long and rugged downhill trek going home. However, we can’t resist Mt. Tapulao. We came this far enough..Go for the Peak!

The assault isn’t easy, the first 15 minutes is a steep but safe climb leading to small campsite that could only accommodate one tent. Then the next hour was a gradual ascends. Our breath can hardly cope up, 2 hours had past?.”Sir kita nyo na Peak??Sir DjXpact replied: “Ala pa eh, Malayo pa sir, Ayun oh!? He pointed out the peak, indeed it was still too far. Again, a decision must be made. All of us are too worn-out to go on. Remember that we will descend later for 5 hours so we must reserved enough energy. Sir DjXpact searched the area, but to no avail. We were still about an hour away from the peak. So? as terrible as it was? We chose to go back. Failed to reach the summit…Huwaaaaa!!!! But that’s fine; we already took photos of the Zambales Mountains. The view was also great during the sunrise.

We came back to the campsite and break camp while cooking for breakfast. Manong Manolito was also gearing up because he will also go down with us to buy supplies. His backpack was awesome! It was made from handicraft materials, very unique and functional.

We started the descent at around 1000. Manong Manolito was fast, extremely adapted to this type of terrain. Sir Romeu followed him up to the jump off point. The two sweeply arrived at the registration area an hour ahead of us. The five of us however patiently trek down.

We left Brgy. Dampay Salaza at around 1800. Again the speedy tricycle brought us to the victory terminal. The bus left Zambales at exactly 2000.

Whew! What a journey it has been! No major problem whatsoever. Everything that we expected happened. The information that we gathered proved to be very helpful. Every plan was executed without a hitch!

Thank you FEU OUTDOORS and AKAMUGs for the long journey to the top!