Weekend hikers’ limit up to April on Mount Pulag already reached

KABAYAN, Benguet — Reservation for slots to go up Mount Pulag here, the country’s  third highest peak, the highest in Luzon, had reached its maximum for all weekends this January until April, which is the peak of climbing season.

Mount Pulag Protected Area superintendent Emerita Albas bared this saying those who haven’t been listed on the weekend hike can no longer be allowed to go up, even if they are already at the ranger’s station.

However, Albas said climbers have an option to schedule a weekday trek.

Albas said Mt. Pulag has a maximum capacity of 350 persons at one time.

She said this is part of the preservation and protection measure being undertaken to prevent the destruction of the protected area.

This is also because there are only two camp sites where people can set-up their tents for the night.

The summit, 2,922 meters above sea level, is also only able to accommodate the number, which will allow climber to see and experience the majestic view of the sunrise atop a sea of clouds. The cloud formations are best during this time of year.

Records show that in 2013 there were 16,332 who went up Mt. Pulag. From January to September 2014, there were already 17,105 trekkers.

Mt. Pulag, right in the boundary of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya, had attained a status as a favorite climbing spot of hikers, especially now that it can be reached easily.

The road leading to the ranger station in Bokod, Benguet from Baguio City via the Benguet-Vizcaya Road has been completely paved.

There are four major trails going to the summit, the Ambangeg trail via Bokod ranger station; Akiki trail via Kabayan town, Tawangan trail in Bokod and the Ambaguio trail from Nueva Vizcaya, with Ambangeg trail being the most.

All hikers are required to register at the Ambangeg Ranger’s station for documentation and security purposes. There, they will be required to attend a briefing of the Mt. Pulag National Park management of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on rules, policies, traditions and emergency protocol.

Albas said climbers return to see Mt. Pulag because of the “top of the world” view and feeling at the summit. The journey up is through a mossy forest, the mystical grasslands, that is coupled with the unique mountain cold, which can reach near-freezing levels. It is studded with dwarf bamboos and many attest to the mystical air of the mountain.

Danny Galati, meteorologist of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Cordillera, said that Mt. Pulag temperatures are four degrees Celsius lower than Baguio City because it has a higher elevation.