DIY Hike to Mt. Napulawan


The enchanting mountain, Mt. Napulawan (2, 642 MASL), is located at Hungduan, Ifugao. It is where Gen. Tomoyoki Yamashita, famously nicknamed “Tiger of Malaya”, hidden and spent his last night before he surrendered in Kiangan, Ifugao on Sept. 2, 1945, marking the end of the World War II in the Pacific. He was later moved to Baguio City where he formally signed his surrender papers at the Ambassador’s Residence inside Camp John Hay.

There are three Jump-offs to reach the Peak of Mt. Napulawan.
  1. Balen Timol, Abatan, Hungduan, Ifugao (Location of Balen Timol Waterfalls)
  2. Tiiwan, Poblacion, Hungduan, Ifugao
  3.  Batang, Hapao, Hungduan, Ifugao
Mount Napulawan Attractions:

 Dead Lake-believed to where Yamashita tossed his Golden sword before his surrender. It is called 'dead lake' since it is no longer filled with water however, it turned into a beautiful mossy forest.

Enchanting Mirror-From the mountain before the Peak, you can see the object bigger than its actual size & vice versa.
How our companions looked like with our naked eyes from the opposite mountain

Mossy forest- Those beautiful forests you see in Disney movies, you can actually see and experience here.

Sea of Clouds-If you are lucky enough to witness the sea of clouds early in the morning

Mt. Napulawan Sunrise

 April 15, 2017

Three days before the hike, my best friend suggested for us to have a hike in this majestic mountain-we therefore, set the hike last April 15, 2017. It was raining around 4AM however, a blessing in disguise that the weather changed around 7AM.

Our group decided to jump off in Tiiwan, Poblacion, Hungduan. We rode a tricycle in Kiangdo, Hapao to the jump off point. We started our hike around 9AM. It was scorching hot thus a few meters walking, I felt dizzy & nausea's (unconditioned to hike).

 We camped for a night, then begin our hike going back early in the morning after watching the sunrise.

 What to bring:
  • Tent, if you stay overnight.
  • Blanket/Sleeping bag, Jacket & anything that keeps you warm (It's freezing there).
  • Food & Drinks, enough for all through out your hike and camp (There is no way you can find any food along the way once you started the hike).
  • Knife/Bolo -Use to gather firewood and for protection as well, you never know when a snake jump-out somewhere.
  • Your personal things (Clothes, tissues/wet wipes etc.)
  • First aid kit for emergency.
Reminders:
  • Pack lightly, bring only what you need & you think is important for you to enjoy the hike.
  • If you are a tourist, ask for assistance at the tourism center in Bokiawan (Located few meters after the welcome arc of Hungduan).
  • Manage your garbage.
  • Wear something that leeches cannot penetrate 😅, there are plenty along the way.
  • Check the weather forecast, even if it's summer, the weather there is unpredictable.
Along the way photos:


We reached the Peak around 4pm.


From the Peak, there is another path going down the dead lake, and to where fresh water for drinking and cooking is available.

Cooking our own meals
Departure
We started the hike and jog going down around 7AM & reached Tiiwan around 10AM .

 Realizations:
  • No matter how difficult it is, if you have strong determination and with the people who pushes and supports you, YOU CAN DO IT!
  • Upon reaching the peak, all difficulties have vanished. It was replaced with amazement, excitement and sense of fulfillment.
  •  I kept vomiting & felt like giving up along the way, which according to my friend who is used to hiking; I might have been lack of sodium. I should have eaten something salty, which I avoided since I thought I might get dehydrated if I do so (well…first timer). Remembering after the hike, I really felt better after eating salty food in one of our stops near the Peak.
As per research, the condition may be related to hyponatraemia.
What is hyponatraemia?
·         Hyponatraemia is a low level of sodium in the blood. Symptoms are not usually very specific and can include changes to a person's mental state, headache, nausea and vomiting, tiredness, muscle spasms and seizures. 
·         It may be caused by drinking too much water, for example during strenuous exercise, without adequate replacement of sodium. 
·         Severe hyponatraemia can lead to coma and can be fatal.