#palauig

© Paolo Dala

New Mountain Friends

26 January 2014 Entry:

Mt. Tapulao, Palauig Zambales

15 hours of torture for a beginner like me. The organizer said that the dayhike is easy but no. The packed snacks and water inside my small bag are not enough, gone a few hours in. Gladly there are water refill stations at kilometers 6, 10, and 16. Lost my fatigue when I started seeing the pine trees nearing the camp site at 16th km, 7 hours in, but we trekked another hour to summit. I wouldn’t have survived kilometer 18 (Summit where the world tree is and sadly there is no view there but we still went for bragging rights) if it weren’t for Jaymark and Julie because they helped me out with food, water and cramps. 

Note to self: Bring enough water and food, do proper research, make friends because you’ll never know, be patient and don’t complain to much, just keep going.

It’s worth it! Glad I went though all the pain and mini accidents. I feel like my ankles are tougher and tamed my monkey mind. Respect to all the legit hikers.

Here’s our Itinerary organized by Rio at UFC Travel and Adventours:

Day 1: 

1800 Assembly @ jollibee cubao farmers 1900 ETD to Palauig, Zambales 2400 ETA Sitio DAmpay Jump off, prep

Day 2

0100 Start trek 0300 6km (1st water source) 0400 10km (2nd water source 0700 ETA campsite 0800 Resume trek assault to summit 0900 ETA summit 1000 Start Descent 1600 ETA Jump off, tidy up 2100 ETA Manila