I don’t know how I got it into my head that I wanted to climb a mountain. It’s not like I’ve ever been the outdoorsy type. God knows I hate bugs. And I don’t think I’ve ever slept in a sleeping bag in my entire life.
Yet, somehow, I got it into my head, a year or two ago, that I wanted to climb Mount Apo. No great feat. I hear it’s an easy climb and can be done in a day, if you are so inclined. (Har.) Still, it is the highest elevation in the Philippines (at 2,954 meters above sea level). And I’ve never climbed a mountain before.
I made some noise about it to my friends and made inquiries with some mountaineers I know from Davao, but I couldn’t get a group together so I didn’t actively pursue it.
In keeping with my congenital indolence, I believe that if something is meant for me, it will find me. (No, not the other way around.)
So when Rosan sent me an email about climbing Mt. Pulag, I immediately said yes.
Of course, I didn’t know squat about Mt. Pulag, except how to spell it which is all you really need to Google anything. Sometimes, not even.
As it turns out, Mt. Pulag isn’t just some rinky dink mountain. It’s the highest peak in Luzon, and is ranked third in the Philippines (at 2,922 meters, after Mt. Dulang-Dulang in Bukidnon which is at 2,938 meters). Of course, in the grand scheme of mountains, it would fall into the rinky dink category but let’s not dwell on that, shall we? I will never aspire to climb Everest (which, for comparison’s sake, is at 8,848 meters). Or anything above molehill category.
Continuing our education about Mt. Pulag…
The mountain has been declared a National Park to protect the flora and fauna endemic to it, like the dwarf bamboo (- according to Wikipedia, the mountain is host to “528 documented plant species”), the Philippine deer, and – whoa, Nelly – FOUR SPECIES OF THE CLOUD RAT.
Okay, no one said anything about rats.
I cleared the leeches issue at the pre-climb briefing tonight (no, we don’t have to worry about leeches and, yes, I did three sets of Gladiator’s Zone at FTX this afternoon), but no one said anything about rats. Four different PROTECTED species of them too.
You know how Ace Ventura feels about bats?
Well, that’s how I feel about rats. I don’t care if their white or striped or are called guinea pigs or cloud rats, if they’re rodents, they’re disgusting.
(Deep breathely…)
GAAAAH!!!
Okay, I’m sure I won’t see them. It’s not like they’ll be actively seeking me out. I’ll leave my trail mix for them outside the tent. Over at Mt. Apo.
Goddamit.
Pfft.
ANYWAY…
The climb seems to be a piece of cake.
Mt. Pulag’s well-worn trail. (Internet file photo.)
According to Jay, the organizer whom we met at dinner tonight, the harshest thing we’ll have to deal with (apart from peeing in the dark with cloud rats around), is the cold.
The campsite at night. Note shadow of a family of cloud rats getting ready to move into the yellow tent. (Internet file photo.)
So far, I think I’m ready. I’ve borrowed most everything I need. All I need to do is unearth fleece and sweaters, then pack it all up.
We leave by bus, Friday night, for Baguio and should be back in Manila in the wee hours of the morning on Monday.
Oh yes, I think I just committed to climbing the three highest peaks in Luzon, Visayas (Mt. Canlaon in Negros at 2,435 meters) and Mindanao (Mt. Apo). Doh!