Mt. Tapulao is the tallest mountain in the Zambales Mountain range and in the province of Zambales in the Philippines. It's 18 kilometers ascend and it took us 11 Hours before we reach the CampSite near the Summit.
April and Me... Ready to GO! |
The peak, which rise to an elevation of 2,037 metres (6,683 ft), is located in the municipality of Palauig, Zambales. Its name is derived from the abundance of Sumatran Pine trees in the area, known in the local Zambal dialect as tapulao.
Jordan and Mt. Tapulao |
The trail to the top of Mount Tapulao is on rolling and gradual terrain that takes hikers through a number of distinct ecosystems: from lowland grass and scrubland dominated by talahib (cogon grass) to its flanks of secondary to primary dipterocarp forest, mossy montane forest and pine forest above 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) that extends to the adjacent mountains.
During wet weather, limatik or forest leeches abound especially near the streams along the way. Parts of the trail become rivulets that trekkers easily attract these critters without noticing being bitten, sticking on the human skin.
MT. TAPULAO
Palauig, Zambales
Major jump-off: Sitio Dampay, Brgy. Dampay-Salaza, Palauig
LLA: 15.4833 N, 120.1166 E, 2037 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 6-12 hours
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail class 1-3
Features: Pine forests, views of West Philippine Sea
Source: Pinoy Mountaineer
Cloud Formation |
|
the Rocky Trail |
The fog nearly covered almost everything all the way to the summit |
The pine forests are visible anywhere after several hours of trekking and the temperature becomes colder. |
|
As we reach to the top, We saw a beautiful scenery of Sea of Clouds |
Sa Loob ng Tent, Sobrang Lamig! |
I was wearing layers of two clothes and one jacket and still, We're freezing to death. Buti nalang nakatulog kami kahit basa yung paligid ng loob ng tent namin!
At last, Umaga na... CampSite 6:00 in the Morning... Getting ready to descend! |
Photo of US before We descend... Thank You sa Timer ng Camera! |
Every steps count, No matter how long and challenging a journey is...