Mountaineering Monday!

MOUNTAINEERING MONDAY!

Sunrise view from the campsite.

Mt.Ugo Traverse
( Itogon, Benguet)

We have decided to scale one of the notorious peak of the Cordillera Mountain Range, located at Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya. A 30+kms hike, rolling up hill, steep trails. traversing the mountain will brought you to Itogon, Benguet as your exit point.

Sole Bunnies. We are!

With me is my hiking/family group Society of Lost Explorers,  We decided to take the night trip so we'll arrived at the jump-off as early as possible. But whoooooooooopaaaaa! (Too much english na) Literal na naiwan ako ng bus for some reason, but im glad that im not the only one! (Samuel Sy) Thanks to him! Hindi ko pa ito kilala personally, at never ko pa ito nameet ever since. We met at Victory Liner Kamuning Station stayed there for almost an hour hoping that they'll have another trip going to Nueva Vizcaya, but we're unfortunate because its the last trip. Bigla nalang ako napaisip kung hahabol pa ba kami or uuwi nalang. pumasok na rin sa isip ko na magstay nalang at magchillax sa Nagsasa Cove that time. Habang yung kasama ko naman tahimik lang na parang nakikiramdam kung anong plano kong gawin, halatang-halata sa mata niya na dahan-dahan na ito nawawalan ng pagasa na makakahabol pa kami. Kaya napagdesisyonan kong maghanap ng alternative na route papunta sa Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya. From Kamuning nilakad namin hanggang sa umabot kami sa Genesis Bus Lines lakas loob akong nagtanong kung paano pumunta ng Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya. Tila isang anghel na nagkatawang tao ang dispatcher ng bus na napagtanungan ko saktong sakto dahil paalis na ung biyahe ng bus papuntang San Jose, Nueva Ecija. Kung saan may masasakyan na bus papunta ng Isabela na dumadaan ng Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya. Para kaming natanggalan ng tinik sa lalamunan ng malaman namin yon, hindi na kami nagdalawang isip na sumakay agad sa bus. Umabot sa 2 1/2hrs ang biyahe papunta palang ng San Jose, Nueva Ecija saktong may naghihintay na jeep na magdadala samin sa bus station na papunta ng Isabela. Nagsimula na ang mahabang biyahe sakay kami ng lumang ordinary bus kasama ang mga sako ng bigas, sandamakmak na manok, at kung ano-ano pa.

We arrived at the Kayapa, Public Market by past 9am. We have to look for our guide (I forgot his name) after 15mins of roaming around the Kayapa, he actually found us! Ate our late breakfast, buy supplies, prayed for a good weather and a safe climb. We decided to hit the trail! Ohhhhhh yeeaa.

Shot with the kids of Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya

 Started trekking on a steep cemented road, that leads to a more steeper trail. I felt the altitude sickness at the 1st 30mins of trekking, I talked to (Samuel Sy) if he'll allow me to try chasing the group w/c is 2hours away from us. He didn't hesitate to say "Yes" because with him is our guide. So i pushed through, the trail welcome me with  beautiful flora and fauna, cool wind, perfect landscapes, etc. While im on the trail i've seen a group of kids playing. They greeted me with a beautiful smile while saying "Good Morning po Kuya! Andun na po yung mga kasama niyo nagpapahinga sa may kubo".  And that gives me a sign that im almost close to the first group. I Stopped and have a few conversation with the kids, offered them chocolates/wafers. We ended our mini chit-chat with a group pic!

 fter less than 30minutes. I saw two men sitting at the middle of the trail and i get shocked because it's (Renz and Alvin) resting. I feel rejuvenated after seeing them, few minutes after. Im with the whole group! "Oy andyan na si Sir Jhef!" We waited for (Sam and the guide) perfect timing for me to recover from that tiring trek. After an hour, We're already complete. Yes! TEAM UGO TRAV! 

TEAM UGO TRAV

 



We had lunch at the first water source, some tried to have a nap, and re-energized. From this point the trail becomes more "Trail Friendly" Almost a walk in the park. LOOOOONG walk!

15mins away from campsite

We reached Domolpos Village and its almost less than an hour going up to the campsite. I was amazed by the sea of clouds trying to swallow the other side of the mountain. Panalo talaga as in! Ilang minuto ko din pinagmasdan ung pagkain ng ulap sa katapat naming bundok. After 15mins of trekking the steepest trail. Booooooooooooooom! 
 Campsite.  Pinched my tent, light my victory smoke and wait for the others. Everybody's tired, cold, and hungry so we decided to have our dinner as fast as we can. Then tentenenennn! SOCIALSsssssssss! :p

 

Joy Manintim and Samuel Sy campsite shot!

The next morning, everyone's busy taking photo at the beautiful sunrise. Most of us where"first timer" on seeing a Sea of Clouds. So photo bumming kami! hihi 

Yun na ata ang pinakamagandang sunrise na nakita ko. So far.. Ate our heavy breakfast, break camp, take our last photo ops. We're on our way to the summit!

2150MASL.

Boom! Summit na tol! Congrats. Kanya kanyang labasan ng camera para sa isang monumental shot sa tuktok ng Mt.Ugo. yikeeee! 

 Mula sa summit, isang mahaba pero tolerable na pababa nalang pero still, it take us several hours bago ma'reach ang Baranggay Hall ng Itogon, Benguet. Dito na kami nagwash'up. Sabay sakay ng jeep mga isang oras mahigit para makarating sa Baguio.
Pagdating namin ng Baguio, biglang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan pero salamat na din kay (Tala Gem) Dahil pinag'stay niya kami sa kanyang bahay. Dito kami nag'victory shot. As in shoooooooooooot. Hihi! 

Group shot. before summit assault

That's the summit. at the back of that mountain range!

Hanapin ang naiiba.

Flying Lizard welcome us while we're going down.

The BACHELORS

Group shot at the campsite.

 

 

Literal na bangin.

What's the word? Oh. I get it! :)

School is Cool! Our climb motive.

 

Summit shot!

Uwian na!

Take that. Take 5!

Read more about Mt.Ugo.