Over the past several months, I have been high-key missing the great outdoors, specifically the mountains. It’s just that time was a bit short and there weren’t a lot of opportunities for me to do so. Or the lack of time made it so that I wasn’t able to spot those opportunities. But on one of those very few times that I actually bothered reading through my Facebook feed, I saw an event organized by The Cordilleran Sun, and thought, “why the hell not?”
It was for a day hike up one of the many mountains that I have not yet gone to in my province: Mt. Pigingan in Dalupirip, in the neighboring municipality of Itogon, Benguet.
I was ready to go to this event solo, joining complete strangers, and yes, I was a bit apprehensive at that (cuz I’m not the most social of people, I’ll leave it at that). So it was a relief when my colleague, Mike, also expressed his interest to join. So yaaay, I don’t have to spend the hours in uncomfortable silence (or, worse, awkward conversations I try to initiate).
(This is going to be quite an image-heavy post, so my apologies in advance.)
Dalupirip Barangay is a borough on the borders of the municipality of Itogon. Its close proximity to the province of Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya means that it largely shares that lowland climate/weather which, for me, basically means “hot and humid”. Probably the most famous attraction in this area is Mt. Pigingan, considered by many mountaineers and avid hikers as one of the more scenic mountains in Benguet and, at the same time, posing a challenge to the more enthusiastic climbers.
This is classified as a major hike, and a difficulty of 5 out of 9. We were warned beforehand that it’s a major climb, so first-time hikers or beginners may have to think hard about it first. Since it’s going to be my first major hike in a long while, I am trusting all those yoga sessions and zumba mornings to somehow help me out.
I only heard snippets from friends in the past about how it was not an easy climb, but I closed one ear off, thinking “I don’t care, I need to go up a mountain, like, NOW.”
So I signed up.
4:00AM – The Meet-Up
Twenty people – all from Baguio and Benguet – met up early morning Saturday at the Dangwa Station, where we got on the jeepney that will take us on that 2-hour trip to Dalupirip. It was a little close to 4:30 when we set off, and arrived at a little past 6 at Sitio Baloloc.
When we were nearing our stop, the driver let those of us who wanted to sit up top (we call it “topload” over here) to go up, so we can get a better view of the passing scenery in the early morning. Needless to say, we did. Hell on our bums, but no regrets.
It is also at Sitio Baloloc where all climbers are required to register in their tourism center. Some of us also managed to sneak in some bites that were supposed to pass for a proper breakfast.
7:00AM – Lezzgo!
We met our guides, were given some pep talks and instructions. At 7:00 am, we set off, and I already knew it was going to be a real hot day.
Cold-blooded Igorota that I am, I’m not a huge fan of warm places, but I found it interesting how a place that is still a part of Benguet feels like a town in the lowlands, and the sun isn’t even fully up yet!
But one good thing about this is that I knew it was going to a good day for a hike. Back in Baguio and La Trinidad, rains have been a regular (read: DAILY) occurrence and, although it’s not the worst thing, hiking while it’s raining is not necessarily the best thing, either.
We decided to go at a relaxed pace, since most in our group are beginners (there were three guys who seemed to have extensive trail running experience, and they “charged up ahead” at one point, and I was just… “…Go… you.”
7:30AM – Agno River Sighting
I like hanging bridges. I know some people don’t; many even have debilitating fear of them.
But I enjoy walking on them, even stopping several times in the middle just to… feel that undulating motion, as if I’m in a cradle (only I am on my feet instead of lying down), until, of course, some smarta$$es decide to jump up and down and violently shake the thing, then my fantasy is shattered.
This is Pau/Pao Bridge, which hangs across the widely known Agno River.
From the Registration Center, across the River, and for the next hour, you’d basically be passing through narrow roads and paths in the residential areas of the barangay. Many locals were already up at that hour and many of them wished us well on our hike.
I thought “Yep, I wish me well, too.”
At one point, the houses ended and the road started sloping upward. I knew the hard part has already begun, and it’s only going to get even harder. (Whee~ Fun~~!)
9:00AM – Adios, Roads
We finally left the road and I thought, “at last, it feels like a real hike”.
But it also meant that the uphill climb has also started in earnest.
Personally I like how it feels to be walking uphill, although it could easily get you winded. The downside is what comes after: in the case of a backtrail hike like this one, going continuously up means that, when you retrace your steps later on, it’s going to be a continuous downward rush.
And going down can be more painful, especially on the knees, than going up. In more ways than one.
9:30AM – The Junction
I appreciated the relaxed pace of this hike. There is no pressure to be faster in case you’d be holding up the others. And we were able to stop and take a breath whenever we wanted or needed to.
This junction was like a crossroad of sorts, because one trail leads to Pangasinan, and the other leads up to the mountain. This is where the continuous climb begins.
More than the steepness of the trail itself, the real battle is with the heat. For the most part, you are exposed to the heat of the sun, with nary a tree on the trail to give you a shade as you go up.
But you can always take comfort in the view that will assault you every time you let your eyes reach out further away. Those footpaths seemingly carved into the mountains, for example, made me imagine the Teletubbies to come out any minute with their “swag”, haha!
Up top, you can catch sight of the snaking Agno River.
I remember standing here for a while and feeling the cool breeze whip up, over and around me. But of course I couldn’t stay like that as long as I wanted, because we’re still barely halfway through the mountain.
Also, the continued uphill climb called for rest stops at shorter intervals. Which I didn’t mind one bit.
10:20AM – Making Connections
In these situations, it is natural to strike up conversations with people you haven’t met for longer than a few hours. Maybe it’s the mountain. Maybe it’s the heat. Or maybe it’s just the idea that you are sharing one experience that you will both take with you, even when you go your separate ways at the end of the day. Even when you don’t see each other ever again.
We met not a soul while we were going up. Well, except for some cattle grazing. In fact, I think I even made a connection with a couple of them (including a close encounter involving me having to greet one with a low bow, face-to-face, just so she’d move a bit out of the way and let me pass.
11:20AM – Wow, I’m in the mountains
I often wonder if the climbers that rush through the hike/climb still get to appreciate the view if they are in such a hurry to get to the summit.
Like, how can you ignore these beauties? How can you not stop, take a look, maybe even some photos? That’s blatant disrespect in the face of all this majesty!
I honestly did not expect the trail to be this scenic. Because pretty much 90% of what I’ve heard about this place is how challenging it was, or how tiring the hike went. But there’s a lot to see when you get closer and closer to the summit.
And those sloping mountains as far as the eyes can see, seemingly kissing the clouds and meeting the sky…. kinda makes you feel small, yet tall at the same time since you are standing above them.
12:00NN – Taking a Break
We arrived at the campsite at close to 12 noon, and while waiting for our guides who made a detour to get some water at the closest water source, had some power nap under the trees.
We woke up a bit later, had lunch, rested for a bit, then got up for the summit assault…
12:40PM
…which basically constituted a more, and steeper, climb, with even more scenic views along the way.
At this point, at midday, the sun is at its highest. But maybe I just got used to it I did not mind it much. Besides, it’s not like there’s anything we can do about it. *shrugs*
1:10PM – I see it! The summit!
Then we found ourselves on a ridge that led up to the summit of Mt. Pigingan.
I saw it in several photos in some blogs, but nothing beats seeing the real thing, even from afar.
As we neared it, I can feel the excitement mounting within me. I couldn’t get there fast enough!
But as I soon discovered, the final “lap” or stretch to the summit is not a path or trail that you can run up easily. Well, maybe accomplished trail runners can, but not me and my legs that haven’t seen real mountain action in months.
But I can see why some people came this far and still did not push through to the top. The stony path leading up to the summit is very steep, quite narrow, and precarious in most parts.
If you’re not comfortable climbing up in these types of “stairs”, you’d most likely end up using your hands to clamber up ’em rocks. It turns out the “girl from the boondocks” in me can get me through it.
(At the back of my mind, though, while I was giddily going up, I was going, “oh, cr*p, going back down is going to be hell on the knees”.)
FINALLY!!
We made it up to the summit of Mt. Pigingan!
And it was such an amazing feeling that for a moment I was rendered speechless.
Until I remembered to take photos. Oh yasssss~!
The summit can be a bit cramped if there are a lot of people in your group. As you can see in the photo above, there isn’t much of space. So you have to take turns, and watch your step at every turn.
I remember how, in the reminders/caution sent out to us prior to the climb, we were told not to open umbrellas when at the summit, because you’re just encouraging the wind to whip you right up and over the ridge, to your death down on the rocks below.
So it could be a bit scary at some parts, and I admit my knees had some shaky moments when I was standing on the rocks to take some photos.
That view, though.
Spending time at the summit reminded me why I love doing this so much, no matter that it is very exhausting and may result to some body aches and pains days after.
There is no logic or reason to it. It’s just in the moment, that quiet and calming feeling that sweeps over you as you look out over that view. Nothing beats that feeling.
I am so glad I went on this climb. We had a good group, and while I regret not having gotten to know everyone, or interacted with many of them, I appreciated their company, and that unspoken sense of camaraderie with people who are doing the same thing you enjoy, at the same time.
For sure, this adventure reawakened my thirst for more outdoorsy activities like this one. So this definitely won’t be the last.
And here’s a shout-out to the guides that shared the experience – and their mountain (they are locals) – with us. Always stay healthy and stay safe as you bring more and more folks up Mt. Pigingan to witness her beauty.
After this, we went back down, rested a bit at the campsite, then proceeded back down the trail we walked.
As predicted, the descent was, indeed, hell on the knees. I certainly felt it the next day, but I’m glad it was still at tolerable levels. I remember after our Trailblazing Tinglayan adventure, I had difficulty going down stairs because my thighs and calves ached so much. But this time, it was tolerable, and the ache was moderate.
It was already past 4PM when we got back to the registration center, freshened up, rested, scarfed down some food, while waiting for everyone to arrive, then made that trip back to Baguio, making a fine day out of it.
Although this was a day hike, I understand camping overnight is also done by some, and that’s what the campsite was for.
This climb was four weeks ago. I do hope it won’t take another 6 months before I can go on another climb. Fingers crossed I’d have another one within the next couple of months. I’m actively looking. *winks*
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