Recorder’s Notebook | Mt. Pulag Climb via Akiki Trail

14 10 2010

text | Lester Valle

photography | Wing Larase, Yo Muan, Carla Ocampo, Rap Rios and Lester Valle

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Day 00 | 26 December 2009

2115H – Carla and I arrived at Victory Liner Cubao Station. Yo came earlier and secured an area for us to kill time while waiting for the midnight trip to Baguio.  We witnessed the heavy influx of people bound to various places in the North. Most notable were fellow hikers. From my reckoning, a good 30% of the crowd  are  Pulag-bound, judging from the size of their packs and that shiny ol’ thermal earthpad jutting out of their side pockets. Apparently, December is the peak season for scaling the highest landform in Luzon.

2210H – Wing came in, followed by Rosa, Nadja and Renan. We patiently waited for the 2300H bus ride to Baguio City. Nadja, who is in charge of the reservation, handed the tickets. Fare is Php 435.00. Rap went a day ahead to Baguio. He will meet us there at the rendezvous.

2302H – Bus off to Baguio. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Alternative Education, Mountains, People, Travel and Adventure

Ma’am Pulag: Mountain, Myth, and Reflection

11 01 2010

text | Carla Ocampo

photography | Wing Larase, Yo Muan and Lester Valle

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“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves… in finding themselves.”

- Andre Gide, French author

‘Twas all rhetoric to me… Until I met the teacher that is Mt. Pulag… and in giving her the guise of the quintessential maestra of Filipino culture — the ever-firm but loving teacher of eager students — I wielded the freedom to call Pulag, Ma’am.

And before she taught me a whole lot about myself, my human capacity, and my life, Ma’am Pulag first showed me things that I may never again see in another place and time. Read the rest of this entry »


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Pulag Particulars | A Guide to Hiking Mt. Pulag National Park

2 01 2010

text | Carla Ocampo and Lester Valle

photography | Carla Ocampo and Lester Valle

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LOCATION | TRAILHEAD: Mt. Pulag National Park:  Benguet – Ifugao – Nueva Vizcaya | Akiki Trail a.k.a. “Killer Trail”, Kabayan, Benguet

ELEVATION | DIFFICULTY: ~ 2,922 meters above sea level (MASL) | Class 2

COORDINATES: 16°35’54.13″N 120°53’56.31″E

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Harrrrr, ain’t Rap Rios’ photo collage an orgasmic teaser to this huge project? It is a summary of the Pulag climb that was, through the camera lenses of Lester, Wing Larase, and of course Rap. For those who missed the entry, check it out at http://thekayumanggitrails.org/2010/01/02/mt-pulag-akiki-trail/

Now let’s get down to business, shall we? We’ve jotted down some pertinent details everyone would wish to know, the moment a light bulb pops out of nowhere with the thought-balloon “An Akiki-Ambangeg Traverse would be a great idea, hm?” Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Alternative Education, Mountains, People, Travel and Adventure


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