Mount Pulag, Philippines

Salam & Hello


Our #KoyokAdventureTeam as part of our preparation for Everest Basecamp #EBC continued on our quest to venture on some of the most challenging and highest peaks of the world – with the most recent accomplishment being the summit of Mount Pulag in the Philippines.

We did it!

Mount Pulag is the third highest mountain in the Philippines and Luzon’s highest peak at 2,926 meters (9,600 ft) above sea level. Mount Pulag is widely known for its spectacular views including its “sea of clouds” and the view of the Milky Way Galaxy at dawn. Mount Pulag is also listed as "inactive volcano" 

Sea of clouds

We caught the flight to Manila on 21 February Friday, after worked for 3 hours flight. We faced quite a number of hustle bustle with our appointed agent throughout the program. We continued on a road journey for another 10 hours to Kabayan, Mountain district. The zigzag road journey really killing us ha ha ha. Around 10 am, we reached Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or registration. Before that we stopped over at small clinic for medical checkup and clearance for hiking. Then we are required to attend the briefing conducted by DENR for 30 minutes. It was very informative.

Very long night

Finally around 3 pm, we reached our chalet at base-camp after facing another 'hustle bustle' situation with our agent. The mountains views with cold weather really make us cooling down. Back to our focus - climbing mount Pulag. We took our dinner at 6.30 pm. By 730 pm, most of us on the bed for early wake up for early morning summit attack.

Can't wait to attack the summit

Woke up at 12.30 am, hot Milo and biscuit help to boost our calories. Bundled in layers of thermal, t-shirt, down feather and wind breaker to face the freezing temperature. Without much preparation mentally and physically (even climbing gears), we set off for the summit attack at 2 a.m. We started by facing strong cold wind and fine dusk into our eyes. Really difficult to see clearly...

The hill climb took approximately 4 hours altogether, covering a distance of over 8 km to reach the summit of Mt. Pulag. We were immediately shocked by the plummeting temperature as we initially thought that the temperature below 3000 m would be fairly mild. In reality, we had go through freezing cold weather which felt like -5°C and, coupled with strong wind carrying fine dust into their eyes. Lesson learned, do not under estimate the mountains ... they have their own characteristic and uniqueness which offer different types of challenges. 

The Pulag's peak

As we ascended into higher altitudes, the climb became nearly vertical – pushing everyone to their limits. We reached the peak at 6 a.m. - greeted by stunning views of sea of clouds. We did it on National Day, 23rd February 2020. Our target to bring the Brunei flag on top of the mountain to celebrate the 36th National Day of Brunei. 

Sun rise at the peak

We spent nearly 30 minutes at the peak to see and enjoying the sunrise. The stunning views of  its "sea of clouds" at the top of the mountain is really beautiful and the magic moment of sunrise is really unforgettable. 

We can't spend much time here. It is too cold and strong dusty wind. We decided to descended to the base-camp and enjoying the morning scenery in the jungle of Mt. Pulag.

We reached base-camp around 10 a.m. after 8 km descending. Thanks to the great team #KoyokAdventureTeam who supported each others up to the summit and back to base-camp. Great spirits of the team members make it happens. We cannot wait to make history to hike at Everest Base-camp in November 2020.

Happy faces...

Thank you to Faiz aka Penakluk Gunung, Nazim, Amir, Yazaly, Hady, Yukhairi, Cheng, Haji Wahab, Kak Nona, Rye, Jane, Naz, Ameng and Amit.


Also, you can watch the YouTube video -  click here.. 
OR link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3ceP-jXNxY

“Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.” ― David McCullough Jr.

SirNoordin
Mount Pulag Feb2020