Climbs and Treks Mount Ugu Traverse 2009 | Mount Ugu Traverse 2009 |
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| Written by Jimmar D. Lagazo | |
| Tuesday, 04 August 2009 | |
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From my previous blog (Mount Marami Tuneup Climb 2009) I mentioned that SMB was singing "We are going to Mount Ugu" to the tune of the SMILE song......And We Did Just That! We traversed the mountain from Kayapa to Tinongdan in two days and we're able to have our SMILE Outreach to two community schools - DOMOLPOS Elementary School and LUSOD Elementary School. Some said it will be one hell of a trek but for us the trek and SMILE was heavenly. This blog will focus more on the trek. A seperate SMILE blog is in the works. DAY 1 - TRAVEL EASY AND CLIMB HARD!!! We left Manila via Victory Liner Bus around 11 PM, Friday, July 24, 2009. We had the bus all to ourselves (almost!) since we were 40 SMBerks all-in-all (the bus can only accomodate 44 passengers). Our estimated time of arrival in CCQ Aritao Nueva Vizcaya was 4:30 AM and we did arrive around that time. In Aritao we waited for our rented jeepneys and bought some last minute provisions. We left Aritao around 5 AM. We travelled to Kayapa for more than an hour and upon reaching Kayapa Proper we lost no time doing some last minute checks and we ate our packed breakfast. Our organizers Sir Mightymike and Miss TG took care of distributing the goods that we were to give for our SMILE project amongst the porters.
Busy with our last minute preparations in KAYAPA We left Kayapa around 7:30 AM. We started the trek via a pavement road then going to a series of steps then reached a clearing where the view and cool air was invigorating. The climb was now more difficult as the inclination was increasing. We had to maintain a constant pace with minimal rest stops so that we can reach DOMOLPOS on time. We reached the Village of Indupit around 10:15 AM. There we had our much needed rest from one heck of a climb!!! We decided to have our early lunch there and refilled our water containers. We left the village around 11:15 AM and when we passed by Mount Sarmiento, it suddenly rained but not for long. We were now trekking through rolling terrain, open and no protection against the elements. I cannot imagine how it would be if it were sunny or stormy. We were blessed with great and near-perfect weather.
Rest stop and early lunch in Indupit Village As we continued our trek we saw a tiny little village. Our guides told us that we are near DOMOLPOS!!! We were excited! The thought of having to see the school children energized our bodies. We reached DOMOLPOS Elementary School around 2:20 PM, A FULL HOUR AHEAD OF OUR ITINERARY!!! We really thought that we will make the children wait for us but we were glad that we were the ones waiting for them. The trek that we just did according to our main guide Kuya Alex was supposed to be 7 hours up for a group as big as ours but we made it earlier.
DOMOLPOS - one last glimpse before going to the campsite After conducting our SMILE project for 2 full hours, we left DOMOLPOS and proceeded to Camp 1. It would be another 2 hours before we reach the campsite. Weather was getting colder and the fog was thickening. The climb was unbelievable!!! The trail was so steep that it reminded me of the trail going to Laban Rata when we had our Mount Kinabalu climb last year!!! We had to make several stops just to catch our breath. Some of my ka-smberks in the sweeper section were already feeling the pain of climbing such long-steep trail.
It may not look much but the actual trail to the campsite will test your nerves of steel.... that is if you have one! After 2 and a half hours of hard, constant climbing and resting, we reached the campsite. We hurriedly setup our tents and prepared our dinner. We had no socials that night since cold rain poured-down and everyone just wanted to get the much needed sleep after a tiring climb. DAY 2 - SUMMIT AND DIFFICULT DESCENT! We woke-up early to prepare our packed meal for the day and to witness the glorious sunrise. We were all eager to reach our second SMILE destination, the Village of LUSOD. We witnessed the sun appearing and as it lit up the surrounding area, we immersed in the beauty nature has to give. The view was awesome! We really had a great time at the campsite.
Waiting for the sun to come up
The sun is rising!
The campsite at early light! We broke camp around 7:30 AM and proceeded to the summit. We reached the summit after 30 minutes and took some pictures. At the summit. L-R: Aris, Dhina, Dorothy, Leo and RonaldC We continued with our trek to Lusod around 8:10 AM. The trail was clean and beautiful but it was a difficult descent. We cannot do a quick pace but we minimised our rest stops so that we can reach Lusod early.
Grab the chance to rest when your pacer says so Our pacing was still good and we made it to Lusod around 1:20 PM. "The surrounding area and the village itself is a reflection of how simple but beautiful life is in the mountains!".Everyone was eager to eat their lunch and do some "call-of-nature" routines. After a hearty meal we went to Lusod Elementary School where children and parents were awaiting our arrival. We had a grand time with our SMILE in Lusod. We could only wish that we could have stayed for the night but we needed to continue our trek to Tinongdan.
Leaving Lusod - the start of a long trek to Tinongdan We left Lusod around 3:45 PM. We were cautioned by our organizers and guide that this will be a difficult trek and we should be ready for eventual rain. We were blessed it did not rain continously. We tasted a little rain when we reached a saddle around 4:40 PM. The trail was............ how do I describe it??? The trail was awesome and really difficult. We could not imagine the status of the group if it rained! What made the trek really great was the view and the many water sources. We saw mini-rice terraces and the view of the Agno river and the surrounding mountains was superb! We also met the teachers and Superintendent of Domolpos and Lusod Schools who came from Baguio. "MGA DAKILANG GURO!!!" They have to climb the mountain to reach their schools. What an amazing feat. No one can compare them!
We are nearing Tinongdan - still a long trek ahead and night was upon us After a very long trek (forget about the long trek from Sta. Juliana to Pinatubo crater or the rigorous climb from Tumpis to Camp 1 of Mount Apo) we reached the hanging bridge going to Tinongdan Barangay Hall around 7 PM. We reached the Barangay Hall around 7:20 PM and everyone clapped and cheered at each other. We were all happy that we made the 2-day traverse and everyone was safe!!!
Carlo, Aris, RonaldC, Leo, Dorothy and Ronaldrei - still smiling after that long trek After a courtesy-call to the Barangay Captain and freshening up we proceeded to Baguio wherein some will stay there and some will go back to Manila that night....... This will be one of the best climbs of SMB. Aside from the SMILE, doing a two-day traverse of Mount Ugu was not an easy feat and it was a great feeling. Kudos to those who joined for preparing well. Thanks to our guide Kuya Alex and his porters. Thanks to the teachers, parents and children of Domolpos and Lusod. We will never forget the time we've shared with you. Thanks, Praise and Glory be to our God for keeping us safe and giving us the strength to accomplish the traverse and SMILE!!! Till our next climb SMBerks!!! GO GO GO SMB!!! God bless! For more pics visit our gallery by clicking the Pictures button in the top menu. Thank you. **** TIPS FOR MOUNTAINEERS - taken from Sir Eddie's blog. Click HERE to read the complete story. Thanks Sir Eddie :) ****
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