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. 



DIY Trip from Baguio City to Nagsasa Cove


 For a holy-week getaway, we Traveled to San Antonio, Zambales with a plan to have 2Nights 1 Day camping in one of the Coves in Pundaquit. Upon reading some reviews, most recommended to go either in Nagsasa Cove or Talisayen Cove since Anawangin Cove is expected to be the most crowded as it is the nearest among the three options. Since it was a DIY trip, we planned to decide where to camp upon arriving in Pundaquit where the boats await passengers going to the coves.

Around 9 AM, we started the travel from La Trinidad, Benguet to San Antonio, Zambales via TPLEX & SCTEX. 

Along the way:

We dropped by at Subic Bay at 1 p.m. for 20 mins photo ops.
We had our lunch for around 30 mins along the way from Subic to San Antonio, Zambales 

Tip: Bring Rice para tipid then just buy ulam along the way 😀

 We arrived at San Antonio Public Market at 3 PM where we bought frozen foods to Grill for Dinner, then proceeded to Pundaquit.
  • Before entering Pundaquit, you have to pay Php 20.00/head.
  • Pay parking: Php 200.00/day (we paid Php 400.00 for 2 nights parking)
We canvassed first for best boat offer before we settled with Kuya Nini who agreed to bring us to Nagsasa Cove with Side trip in Talisayen, Anawangin Cove & Capones Island upon departure (although we were not able to go in Capones-dahil maalon sabi ni Kuya 😂 ).
  • Boat Fee: Php 3, 000.00 (Back & Fort) for a group of 6 (5 Adults 1 Kid)

Pundaquit to Nagsasa cove (March 29, 2018, 5:30 PM)

We arrived at Nagsasa Cove around 6:40 PM, the main area was crowded & full, there was even loud videoke so we chose to go at the left most part (facing the cove) of the Cove where there are less campers and a bit peaceful. We set up our tent and just cooked viand for dinner since we have left over from the cooked rice brought 😃 , we then rest as we were too tired.
  • Entrance fee: Php 130.00/head/night. (We paid Php1, 200.00 *discounted* for 5 Adults, Kid-Free)
March 30, 2018
In the morning we spent our time cooking, swimming and picture taking. We planned to go hiking however, the sun was too hot in the afternoon thus some of us just rest around 1 PM, and two of our companions went to check the Cliff Diving area.

Around 5 PM, we climbed a rock formation near the mountainside close to our camping area; it was a perfect spot to view the whole cove. 

March 31, 2018

Cliff Diving before departure: 
>Conquering my fear of heights. I was able to do it, after 30 mins of encouragements from my companions & other jumpers whom I think, felt the same 😂. I Felt like my heart & mind stopped functioning for a moment , haha!

Departure:
'Till Next time Nagsasa Cove

Talisayen & Anawangin Cove Side Trip

 Beach Valleyball in Anawangin Cove

Around 1PM we started to travel back to Baguio via Alaminos, Pangasinan. We arrived at Baguio at 10 PM since we took the route passing Bauang, La Union & adding the traffic at Sual, Pangasinan. 
Experience Review:
  • The water in Nagsasa Cove is shallow, good for Kids, although there are deep areas for swimmers too.
  • The water is super clean, except for some tourist who just threw their garbage, (It was nighttime when we arrived, so we used flashlight looking at the water then my brother saw a napkin floating 😄).
  • The view was fantastic, especially when you hike at the top of the mountains.
  • The Cliff diving is worth to try.
  • Sand is grayish.
  • Be prepared for any change of weather, it rained the 2nd night of our stay. 
  • Aside from the comfort room -that has no fresh water for shower that time- & solar panel providing lights at night, there was no other amenities in the area where we stayed. Still it was worth the experience.
  • Just prepare everything you need, prices there are expensive (e.g. one egg=15/each).
  • The whole experience was wonderful, it was really for those who wanted to have a real camping & adventure experiences away from the comfort of our homes. 
Realization:
  • Our group motto through-out our travel is to ENJOY. In every travel, there are good and unfortunate ones however, it only depends to each person to stay positive, learn from the experience & enjoy the beauty of nature.
Video:


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