It was simple - mountaineers from all over the Philippines, regardless of age, experience, and affiliation, climbing Luzon’s highest peak for the benefit of the local baranggay health office as well as the T’boli Evangelical Health Clinic in South Cotabato. Brod Gideon Lasco ΜΣΦ 2010, award-winning blogger and acclaimed mountaineer, hatched the pioneering idea late in 2008 and gathered 4 neophytes to set the plan to motion: Daniel Dellosa, Climb Secretariat; Pinggoy Danguilan, Marketing and Logistics; Jones Santos, Transportation; and Uly Gopez, Designs. Gideon simply made a blog post announcement at www.Pinoymountaineer.com calling for participants, and in 2 weeks, the slots were filled. The diverse contingent had a 9-year old boy as the youngest climber, there were beginners as well as expert climbers with more than a hundred mountains under their belt, and mountaineering clubs from as far as Cebu were represented. Rounding off the Mu Sigma Phi party were Dr. Allen Tria ΜΣΦ 2010 on a vacation in Manila from El Nido and additional neophytes Popo Dumlao, Yuan Ruanto, and Max Salva.

AT THE HELM. The Pulag Charity Climb Team headed by Brod Gideon Lasco ΜΣΦ 2010 (center) with the neophytes of Batch 2013 and Dr. Allen Tria ΜΣΦ 2010 (leftmost).

Fast forward to the night of February 6, with its endless rain and unbearably congested traffic. Some were already beginning to question whether or not the climb would push through, but at 10 pm, registration began at Victory Liner Pasay and by 12 mn of February 7, right on schedule, the chartered bus was on its way to Baguio City. The second bus was close behind, having left at 1 am. From Baguio City where the weather was playing on the optimistic side, jeepneys took the mountaineers on a dizzying three-hour trip, first passing by the breathtaking sights of Ambuklao Dam and then going to the Visitors’ Center where they were given an orientation by Gideon and Pinggoy and were briefed regarding the mountain rules by Park Superintendent Emerita Tamiray. Boxes containing an assortment of medicines were then turned over to the center as part of the charitable mission of the climb. The jeepneys then proceeded to the Ranger’s Station, the official starting point of the four-hour trek to Pulag Camp 2.

CHARITY CLIMB. Neophyte Daniel Dellosa (left) and PinoyMountaineer Gideon Lasco ΜΣΦ 2010 (right) flanking Park Superintendent Ms. Emerita Tamiray during the turnover of medicines and medical equipment to the Mt. Pulag Ranger's Station Clinic.

The trek was a test of endurance under the strain of weighty backpacks, rocky and slippery terrain, and progressively thinner air, although the trail was generally wide and well-established. Beautiful flora decorated the surroundings, including lichen-covered trees and fascinating flowers known locally as ayusep. Forest clearings early in the hike brought spectacular views of the bare top of Pulag in the company of clouds and other Cordillera peaks close by. If one looked closely, the trail from forest to summit could be discerned as it weaved through the daunting green face of Pulag. In no time, Camp 1 was in sight, and a timely afternoon rest from the stifling woods was in order, affording opportunities to void, eat, drink, nap, and socialize. From there, the trek took on steeper ascents and descents through converging and diverging paths, until at last, the blue signage of Pulag pointed out the refreshing spring water source – Camp 2 was just around the bend! At around 6 pm, camp was reached, a bit dim from the sprays of rain and the late hour, and the mountaineers proceeded to unpack, pitch up their tents and have dinner amidst the thickening fog, blustering wind, and almost-icy temperatures. Socials were confined to small groups because of the barrier the weather presented and the campers took time to rest for the early assault to the summit the next day.

There was no let up in the rain that night, and at 4 am of February 8, morale was low for the hour-long hike to catch sunrise bathe Pulag’s top. Several hardcore mountaineers proceeded with the initial plan despite prevailing circumstances but many were left behind. Gideon promptly made rounds among the tents, discussing the option to try and summit at around 6:30 am instead and all the while watching and praying for improving weather conditions. When the time of day was at hand, a raincoat-less Gideon and the determined mountaineers took to the cobbled path and fields of dwarf bamboo, stepping, splashing, and sliding their way through. In a most dramatic moment, a rainbow materialized in front of the group, arching over the trail like a portal, which many took as a sign for better weather ahead. True enough, it did not take long until the blue hue of the sky peered through the thinning clouds and the risen sun’s warm light pierced the haze. The beautiful sloping valleys lit up all around until finally, the imposing summit of Pulag was all that lay ahead.

Group picture at the Summit.

By keen measures of success, the First PinoyMountaineer Annual Charity Climb holds up: everyone was safe and smiling and everyone summitted. A raffle was held after the descent, giving away 2 pairs of Hi-Tec shoes, water bottles, Deuter shirts and caps, and ROX travel packs. Everyone was also richly supplied with Pocari Sweat as well as 20% discount cards for Hi-Tec merchandise. Pictures were taken, friends were made, and completing the joy of overcoming Luzon’s highest ground was the fulfillment of making a difference in the lives of our less fortunate countrymen, an incomparable high among the mountain heights! Truly, being on top doesn’t mean one can’t go higher – or further, in the name of service. AFTG!

Visit the online articles of the Charity Climb Pinoy Mountaineer Gideon Lasco at:

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2009/02/hiking-matters-42-over-rainbow-high.html
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2009/02/hiking-matters-42b-pulag-charity-climb.html

More photos available at:

http://pinggoyd.multiply.com/photos/album/39/Mount_Pulag_-_Luzons_highest_and_grandest
http://gidy0nder.multiply.com/photos/album/62/Mt._Pulag_PinoyMountaineer_Annual_Charity_Climb

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