IBA | Mt. Tapulao: The Never Ending Path

Last month, we had Zambales climb at Iba. Well I had no idea about this mountain so I searched the internet and kept my self updated at our fb group for changes if any.

Two weeks of preparation and were off to Caloocan Victory liner bus station. From Cavite my buddies and I alighted to Lawton and ride quiapo-signed-board jeepney and reached a particular street, driver made us believe that it was just few meters away from that point. We asked some people and said we had to walk couple of street to reach the station. After approx. 30 mins of walk, I guess, we finally found Victory Liner with our group looked like disappointed I don't know why until they informed us that tickets with seat were sold out and it was already last trip. The "Kundoktor" asked us if we want we could stand up to Olongapo, nearest possible area we could have a seat. With no choice left, we left the Caloocan 11PM.

We passed Olongapo terminal and thank God I had a seat on a small box in front of a seated passenger on the right side of the bus. I don't know if I consider it as a luck from others but my pompies ached! 1AM and passengers were starting to get down from the bus. I can make some sleep until my BF called and I finally sat on a nice comfy seat.

2:15AM we arrived the jump-off at Brgy. Sampaloc. Two tricycles came from a distant thinking we could be a possible passenger due to our obvious outfit and bags. With 7 people in our group, drivers just asked if we could add a little to the fare because they just allowed 3 per tricycle and having 4 in 1 needed to have an additional. We all agreed and came 2:30PM at Brgy. Damapay Hall logged, paid P30 reg fee, had our breakfast and off to start the trek.

That was my first time depart from Manila a day before and started trek so early. First walk was scary for me not because of darkness but because of dogs barking in every yard we pass along the way. They kept doing that until we reached the end of each yard and bark another as soon as we stepped at the very border of their house. After passing the neighborhood, thinking of might be bitten by those stopped, and hiking continued. Trail was little lighted by the moon and sky starting to woke up. Turning back we saw a long winding river that surrounds fields and towns.

After 3 hours, we reached the first water source at the left side of trail. Signage was not that obvious and you have to cross a gap and entered a bushy area to get there. We rested for an hour and had our kinda heavy breakfast, a rice-ulam breakfast near the water source. Then we're continued our walk to bunker where we decided to pitch our tents and had overnight. Hiking was extremely hot, sun was so active during that time and clouds were to shy to show though.

I was disappointed actually about the trail. Trail was full of shredded rocks due to devastating quarry did to the mountain. Stones has sharp edges made feet of most of the group ache. Likewise certain parts of the trail was alarming especially during rainy season and the moist weather which might soften the soil and eventually would make trees fall over the mountaineers. Though trail was easy to follow yet so much long, you won't get lost. Signage was kinda inaccurate specially the second to the last near the old bunker area.

Then 5 hours past, we finally reached the bunker and it was just the two of us, me and my bf came first among our group. We immediately fixed our tent and rested before they came and prepare our lunch. Yes lunch! We weren't able to had lunch because aside we're leading, the group left had the cook set.

So after an hour they finally came and immediately prepared our lunch, actually that was like "lunner", lunch+dinner. We're all so hungry then we ate snacks first coz we can't stand our stomachs. Then the socials thingy came. The night was cold, luckily I was somehow armored with jacket and pants. Beautiful moon came to rise. That was my first time to see how moon evidently move from lower point of the sky to higher, I called "moonrise".

4am in the morning I woke up. Everybody was still asleep and just heard snoring sound from the neighboring tent so I just kept my eyes close and take advantage having a nice sleep from cold temp. 6AM, I was a little sad I weren't able to catch the sunrise at the summit, though I had a few photos of sea clouds at mountains from afar viewed from the campsite, still I wasn't able to achieve my goal.

Before Summit assault we had our breakfast and break camp so we could left our things at the bunker to have it safe due to recently reported loss after going to summit alleged to the hunters, Brgy. official said.

6:30AM and we went to the summit. We took the ascending steep trail from the old bunker that took us about 48minutes which was entering a forest and exited at Mt. Tapulao's Summit. The 360 degree view of the bushy summit, green hills and landscape made the hiking so good. I was just alarmed by small holes underneath the thick grass, I felt I was going to fall under, plus a huge excavation I don't know how it was formed.

Another interesting thing here was the formation of the trees at the right side if you are facing the trail going down. Unlike other trees along the trail which is pine trees, these were like spooky trees.

After 30 minutes of taking picture and rest, we then decided to went back to the campsite and packed our things up. Unlike others who're took the same trail during summit assault, my and my bf tried the other way down leading to the new bunker. From this part of the trail you can view he other side of the mountain including the province' waters.

I was happy that time that the weather was better. Clouds were flawlessly move over the sun and heat was totally lessen compared to our ascent. "Hike yesterday would be better if the temp. was like this", I said to my buddy. Likewise the huge clouds engulfing the mountain's summit which we haven't experience, It was like clouds hiding from us until we reached the hill from the other side, so far away from the bunker.

Then after 6 hours of walk from the campsite, we reached Brgy. hall, ate miryenda and cleaned up.