TORN BETWEEN CAREER AND PASSION

Mount Ulap, Itogon, Benguet (1846 MASL)

• Hike Date: January 20, 2020
• Entry Point: Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon
• Exit Point: Brgy. Sta. Fe, Itogon

On getting there: Since I only joined the Trekkers Avenue, I can’t provide the exact details on how to get here. I will be updating this once I can get information on how to get here.

Hike Notes:

• Dayhike
• Guide fees: P 600/ day hike
• Overnight fees: P 1000 for 1-7 persons
• Camping fees: P 800 for 10 persons
• Registration fee: P 100 – P 150
• Contact Person: Mr. Jeff Asim – 09100835584
• Campsite: Yes
• Distance: 9.01 KM from Ampucao to Sta. Fe.
• Mobile Signal: Yes, sporadic in some areas.
• Water source along the trail: No
• There are stores at the entry point and exit point.
• Hot Shower: Yes. Php 40
• Sidetrip: Burnham Park, Baguio City

Inside my backpack:

• Gatorade – 2L
• H2o – 1L
• Jellyace & lollipops
• Menthol rub
• Headlamp

3 Interesting points in Mt. Ulap

• Ambanaw-Paoay 1788 masl
• Gungal Rock – 1814 masl
• Mt. Ulap – 1846 masl

Trail, Pacing & Timeline:

I needed this hike. It’s been a week since we have scaled Mt. Apo and my muscles needed some reflex. I have fully recovered from my sunburn but my color hasn’t fully recovered yet, but here am I again, basking under the sun. I only had a 1-day rest day, so I thought of going somewhere that has a friendly trail. I finally found a ‘seat sale’ for Mt. Ulap from one of the Facebook groups. I haven’t had the chance to check the trail but per them, it’s good for newbies, so, I didn’t bother to bring a lot of stuff with me, just my Camelbak hydration pack, rain jacket and small hike stuff.

We left Greenfield at 10PM and thankfully our trip to Itogon was very smooth. We arrived at 2AM. The barangay office was still closed and there are no persons anywhere yet. I slept. At almost 4AM, there were few vans arrived and finally, the office was already open for registration. At 4:51 AM we had our orientation with Sir Jeff Asim. Per Sir Jeff Asim, Mt. Ulap is a cow’s pasture, so I expected for a lot of cow poos along the trail.

• 5:15 AM – 6:50 AM: 1 KM – Campsite 1/Ambanaw Paoay

The trailhead.

The Cordillera Ranges will be seen from Mt. Ulap.

Discomfort is – Hiking while my right eye is bulging. 

• 7:15 AM – 8:40 AM -Ambanaw Paoay to Gungal Rock

In fairness, the trail was very fine and very friendly to everyone. Who’s not gonna love this if you have these trees that surround you?

A very refreshing view from Ambanaw Paoay. 

Ate Weng, 45 and Sir Ramon, 60— alive, kicking and still climbing! It’s actually Sir Ramon’s first climb.

Mt. Ulap’s Campsite 1 @ Ambanaw Paoay. Overnight fees: P 1000 for 1-7 persons / / Camping fees: P 800 for 10 persons. 

The distance between Abanaw Paoay to Gungal Rock is pretty far. Since it was still early, we had a long rest along the way.

Who wouldn’t love this trail? It’s very friendly to the oldies and to the newbies. 

And again, a long rest before the ascent to Gungal. It’s a nice feeling to see Mt. Pula, Mt. Ugo and Mt Purgatory from afar.

Baguio City from afar.

Few boulders to pass through to Gungal. Overlooking Kennon Road.

@Gungal. Almost Gungal Rock

Imagine seeing this along the way. You’ll surely love Mt. Ulap.

Gungal’s Edge.

The famous Gungal Rock. They say, it doesn’t form anything, but it looks like a lying head of a man and the edge where everyone’s taking a picture looks like a man’s chin.

• 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Gungal Rock – Mt. Ulap Summit

The last few steps to reach the summit.

Finally, the summit! A few meters away is the mountaineers’ store, where everyone meets and everyone eats.

It’s the only cafeteria that was opened on a Monday.

• 11:20 AM -12:56 NN Mountaineer’s Store – 9.01 kM/Sta. Fe exit point

The open-pit mine.

One of my pet peeves on the trail is a loose soil–here ya go! But at least with all the pine trees and the view that surrounded us, it didn’t matter at all. We descended slowly and carefully.

And finally, the exit point- 9.01KM.

Off to Baguio! 🙂