Mt. Pulag: The Playground of the Gods Part 2

Brrr.

We were about 2,800 meters above sea level - that's just a hundred meters more to summit, maybe a few miles left to trek. I was clearly unfazed by the terrain. I was already told it was an easy trek. But still, for weeks, Jan and I conditioned our bodies for this. And it did pay off for it was definitely a walk in the park with a few uphills and steep climbs that did not seem to bother me. I never found myself catching my breath. And I could go on without taking little breaks. BUT I had to will myself to endure the cold that's never in Davao nor in any place that I've been to. Not even in Mount Apo. I have never shivered like this in Mount Apo. I had on me three layers of jacket and I can still feel the cold pierce my bones.

But the thought of those photos of every blogger who posted a perfect photo of Mount Pulag's summit was enough to propel me to go on. I know that's not what climbing is all about. But you see, we traveled more than a thousand miles from Davao and had to file a 2-day leave (without pay) for this. Judging from our time and financial resources, this is a climb that I might only do once. So a foggy view at the peak is the last thing I would want. Whatever we see up there, I sincerely hoped it was worth it.

It was still dark when when we reached the summit. The sky was illuminated by stars but it wasn't enough for me to see whatever's below us. It was just a vast and limitless horizon colored in pitch black. It didn't rain that night and the weather was perfect - which I thought was a good thing. But I was told it's not a guarantee we will see what we were here for. The weather in the mountains are an unpredictable lot - they can go from the most picture perfect sunny weather to the most unforgiving terrible conditions in a matter of seconds. If you're lucky, you'll marvel at the wondrous view of the playground of the gods. If not, well, let's just say it's the journey that really matters.

I kept my hopes up while setting my expectations low. I don't even know how's that possible. But I was in between feeling okay lang kung foggy and okay na okay kung cloudy moment. Unsure of what's stored for us, all I can do was collapse onto the shrubs, sleep, and wait.

Then streaks of yellow light started coming out from afar. The sun's rays were peeking and I can already see the endless and breathtaking view of the sea of clouds. Perfect! It was even more beautiful than I have imagined.

I was still shivering. I started to feel my thigh muscles becoming sore. Air was definitely thin and I was already drawing deep breaths. But whatever it was that I felt that moment, EVERYTHING WAS ALL WORTH IT.

Surreal.

If I have to use one word to describe Mount Pulag, it would have to be surreal.

I was standing 2,922 meters above sea level - on one of the Philippine's majestic peaks. And right in front of me, what I was witnessing was God painting the sky with the most beautiful colors and how He magically transformed the dark to light with shades of orange in between. I locked my eyes intently on to the beauty and I was trying to comprehend how close I was to the clouds for I could not believe that I am having such a humbling experience. Anyone standing there can definitely agree that they are truly in the presence of one of God's most amazing wonders.

To say that this is the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen is an understatement.

I don't think I could ever describe how I've actually seen it. It was like Mount Pulag was saying: Screw grammar, your superlatives just don't work here.

Most beautifulest very bestest sunrise, perhaps? Still not enough.

But more than just being awestruck in awesomeness, scaling a mountain and the freedom I get from it is what I consider home, my happy place. And much more that I have spent it with people who matter to me.

I could not think of any other person to have shared such magical moment with, than this man.

Plus the experience of building friendships across the nation with people who were total strangers to me is something I will always be thankful for. More than just the picturesque view, it's the company that I was with that made this hike very memorable.

Hello, from the Davao peeps! ;)

We never knew these people before the climb.

New found friends. Thank you, Jalaman's Adventure! :)

It's been a week since I was there and that moment in Mount Pulag still lingers to me. It's definitely something I will forever cherish. I am grateful to have experience such moment, to witness such beauty, and to have found awesome new friends for it made me realize how truly blessed I am. Life is indeed good. So smile!

Lunch at the trail. Boodle fight with an emergency blanket? Why not?

The mossy forest

Sa uulitin Mount Pulag!

You may also want to read:  Mt. Pulag: The Playground of the Gods Part 1