Location: Hungduan to Hapao, Ifugao
Jump-off Point: Hungduan, Banaue
2,642+ Meters Above Sea Level (Per Pinoymountaineer.com)
Difficulty: Major Climb, 7/9 (Per Pinoymountaineer.com)
Such fine weekend, although a little bit cloudy, and we
traveled to Banaue for a 2-day hike to Mt. Napulauan (via Ohayami Transit). Part of the astounding Cordillera range, this has been one of my target mountains following Mt. Amuyao last June 2012. And so, this was my second time in Ifugao province this year and I guess nothing has
significantly changed yet since I went there last June.
After eating our breakfast and buying necessary things at
the market of Banaue town, we had a 2-hour jeepney ride to the town of Hungduan
(arranged beforehand), which is our entry point for this traverse. It was
around 11am or 12nn when we started the trek.
We began hiking and hours passed. As we go on with our trek,
this was the time when one could likely ask (as buddy Dennis Hisanan, the
organizer, has quoted), “what is assault?” and the answer is definitely “Mt.
Napulauan!” From the very start of the trek, no one could escape the experience
of ascending and ascending and ascending. Thank God, as mentioned earlier, that
we did not have a sunny weather on that day. That was a little relief,
otherwise it would add to the difficulty of the assault and it would surely
become more tiring. Really a great help that it was cloudy and raining a bit from time to time. We arrived at
the first campsite at around 2pm and then we resumed trekking. We reached the
mossy forest and of course it’s still an ascending trail. Only few times that
we had walked on a gradual trail. We were just joking to each other with the
line “Makakarating din tayo, tiwala lang. “
Stable network signal is present throughout the traverse. Some
of the things that amazed me were seeing
those flora and fauna, a bird’s nest and
a number of holes which we’re not so sure if they are wild boar’s territories
or hunter’s traps. (Hence, extra focus and attention should be present during night trek because of these holes). Moreover, it was also fun eating Korean food during the meals courtesy
of our Korean friend named Woosung Ju.
The nightfall came and so we had a dark forest trek when we were approaching the summit. We ascended and then the trail seemed to be going down
and then we ascended again. And there! We all arrived at the summit (which is also a campsite) at
around 8pm on the average. The space is somewhat limited so our tents had to be
a little compressed. Bad thing was, it rained hard. Setting camp was of course difficult as it was not only pouring hard
but it was also cold because of the strong wind. If compared with my recent
climbs, Mt. Amuyao and Mt. Pulag, the cold temperature there at the summit of
Mt. Napulauan was more tolerable. Because of the rains, we were not able to have
socials, and obviously everyone needed a restful night due to that one-day up’s
great assault experience.
The next day was a blessing— the sun shone brightly and it
was a fine, “rainless”, beautiful morning. It was actually a very sunny day
ahead. We prepared and ate our breakfast and took pictures of the views. We
were able to see the peak of Mt. Amuyao. At the opposite side, we saw a peak
covered by clouds which according to the guide (if I heard it right) is the Mt.
Pulag.
I enjoyed our descent. It was long dense mossy forest. Amazingly, we
were given moments of steady hiking. But since this was a traverse, a very
steep descent is apparently a big challenge. At first , the descent was full
of fun and laughter, we were only expecting a 5-hour trek down to the exit point
at Hapao (according to our organizer, Dennis Hisanan who already went there in
2011 and did the same traverse). However, we started noticing that we were
already 5-hour trekking and yet we we seemed to be still at a thousand meters
above sea level. And yes, we traversed through a long cut! (well, we just
followed the guides.. perhaps that was the trail that they know) But still, we
actually did a 7-8 hour descent instead of 5 hours.
We actually had a reservation in Ohayami bus on its 7pm trip to Manila. Although we tried to
follow the itinerary, it was not possible anymore. Safety and welfare of the
participants are more important. One of our companions got stranded because he
fell down at around 30 feet and got an injury. What happened was a serious
situation but still, thank God that the injury he got was a minor one. He was
able to be rescued. I would like to
thank those guy companions who volunteered to rescue him. Truly, as sir Philip Cabales
(one of those who rescued) has said,
that was expected in every mountaineer.
More inconvenience and stranded moments followed as we had difficulty finding a good transport going back to Manila since it was already
late night. Well, that’s part of the challenge and we were able to take it. We
all took home both the “joyful and irritating moments” of Mt. Napulauan
traverse.
*For a more convenient and relaxing climb, a 3-day itinerary is an option, having the first night stay at the first campsite and spending the second night at the summit.
For more information, you may contact the Tourism Office of Banaue, Ifugao and look for Ms. Weng 0916-7124282
For more information, you may contact the Tourism Office of Banaue, Ifugao and look for Ms. Weng 0916-7124282
