Mt Tapulao 2037m/ 6,683 ft
Feb 19, 2017
SITIO DAMPAY BRGY SALAZA
PALAUIG ZAMBALES- 5:04 am, As daybreak gave light to the horizon were bound again to the province of Zambales the second time, it was a nice calm Sunday morning. Packed with enthusiasm, we aimed to summit the highest mountain of Zambales region after a successful ascent of Mt Balingkilat in Cawag last month. Our itinerary was shortened to very challenging day hike.
Mt Tapulao was known to many mountaineers for its notorious 36-kilometer relentless trail filled with all kinds of rock, sand, dirt and obscure terrain. Not to mention the time we spent reaching its main jump off took us almost 8 hours land travel that almost drained our energy.
The good thing was the morning welcomed us with a frigid country side breeze as it was mid of February, it was a very fine soothing Sunday morning not until we commence our trek.
BACKGROUND
Mt Tapulao is a reminisce of Cordillera, in-fact it's weather is less likely resembled Mt Amuyao in Barlig mountain province alongside with some of its terrain. It's name derived from Pine tree which is Tapulao in the local dialect and stands at 2037 masl making it the highest Mountain in Zambales region.
Tapulao is popular not just to Mountaineers but also outdoor seekers and 4x4 enthusiast because of its trail that was often used for off-road driving activities. Its trail was previously built for chromite mining purpose but was closed due to environmental issues thus, environmental tourism started to flourish after its closure.
It has a more challenging 50-kilometer traverse trail known to advance climbers which start in Labney Mayantoc Tarlac traverse to Palauig Zambales. We have already plans of climbing Tapulao via Mayantoc traverse early next year.
The total time completion took us 16hours and 8mins for a very long day hike, our team was just composed of the blogger, Buboy, Mj, Thea and Sandy.
SITIO DAMPAY SALAZA BRGY HALL
7:45 am, we arrived on the main jump off and we had breakfast before commencing our long trek. Shortly after we arranged our guide and paid for the necessary fees plus few sets of stretching we commence our trek at around 8:38 am.
The starting point
The trail started from km 1 at around 100masl, Short burst of energy kept us on fast pace on our way as we ascent we saw a glimpse of neighboring towns of Masinloc and the beautiful west Philippine sea.
The trail was composed of open rough roads filled with dirt, rocks and obscure terrain.
West philippine sea
It was past 11:00 am when we reached kilometer 6 marking which was the first water source.
At around kilometer 8 was when we had our lunch exactly at 11:34 am, shortly after 30mins, we recommence our trek until reaching the last water source and refilled our water bottles.
1:45 pm, We trek endlessly passing through the same terrain of rocks and dirt alongside with the sun's scorching heat that made our pacing sluggish
The weather was not soothing
Take 5 moments
That time one of our teammates had some minor pain in her foot, but the good thing was we brought first aid kit and mefenamic acid to ease her pain.
We reached Kilometer 11-12 at around 2:30 pm, our path was covered with fog and clouds, estimated at 1800m altitude
we had some few moments that restored our vigor.
Self-camera
We continued until we reached kilometer 16 at around 5:00 pm. After almost 9 hours of trekking.
Take 5 moments
Kilometer 16 was filled with pine trees and had good spots for camping. The wind breeze was freezing especially at night Because of it's attitude at 1900m.
Sandy had to renounce her trek on kilometer 16 as she was very exhausted that time and had to recuperate her energy. Eventually, we didn't waste time and recommenced our final assault to the summit. We ascent up through the forested part which was filled with pine trees that resembled Marlboro country of Mt Pulag in Benguet.
A reminisce of Mt Pulag
One of my best shots
I eventually turned back without knowing that I'm just 15mins away from the summit. Mj and Thea agreed to meet up on the spot where Sandy was located, while Buboy was already at the summit.
Buboy
The summit
We didn't waste time as we've estimated a long 6-7 hours trek down and it was already 7:10 pm. I switched on my very reliable head lamp around 200-lumen capacity as I gave a very bright light on the trail head.
Dawn
8:30 pm, We trek down relentlessly without noticing we arrived on the last water source after an hour. Immediately, we refilled our water gallons and consumed all the last trail foods we have.
We trail run down passing through rough roads and just spent 5 minutes for every 45-minute trek interval just to restore our vigor. Our trek was relentless. Our pacing was very fast we almost run while descending.
10:45 pm, after almost 3 hours of our fast pace trek some of my teammates already felt the exhaustion, and the lingering fatigue, just to add the sleepless night prior to this trek and hunger stressed out our burden and we were still on kilometer 5
take 5
I still have the energy and enthusiasm to continue for 4-5 hours thanks to my very flexible trekking pants and 3 liters of water, however, the problem was my teammates were already tired, we didn't lose hope and cheered for one another.
With renowned vigor we recommenced our trek after resting for 20minutes and descended again on a fast pace, Mj was the sweeper assisted by our guide Thea and Sandy were in the mid.
11:00 pm, Bubuy and I decided to advance the whole team without declining our pacing.
We noticed that the last 3 kilometer was the longest part of Mt Tapulao. We thought that the spirits of the mountain were fooling us drastically, every sharp turn from the rough road seemed identical, we thought that we were being toyed.
But the hope of a hot native Tinola and rice kept us motivated on our way down. Our momentum didn't declined although Starving, We never bothered hunger like we're running in a hunt for our prey. We rum down until we outreached another team that was also descending the last kilometer. They all look worn out and just walking gradually. Out of context I greeted them, but they didn't respond a single word. Hurriedly we advance on them it was 11:45 pm.
I was very eager to finish the climb and my stamina was at its highest peak, after 20 minutes at 12:10 am, we finally reached the guard house, marking the end of the very long trail. I look back and saw tiny lights from other climbers as they were descending bit by bit.
Buboy rested as I placed my head lamp on the road adjacent to the guard house to signal the other teams. I did that just to give them assurance of hope that the light was the finish line. While waiting we sat on the guard post reassessing the whole climb.
Soon after 15 minutes, Thea arrived very exhausted and worn out. She can't barely walk. I congratulated her and welcomed her to our climbing organization. Although she was wasted, I can tell that she was very happy after accomplishing the trek. After 10 minutes Sandy, Mj and our guide finally arrived.
We finished the whole descend for just 5 hours and 11 hours for the ascent, making a total of 16 hours for a very long 36-kilometer day hike. That distance is from Magallanes Interchange up to Calamba Exit Toll via Slex.
12:40 am, we walk bit by bit until we reached the Brgy hall. We were dismayed because there was no Tinola waiting for us. We just ate cup noodles and our guide shared some of the food that was available that time. Soon after, we freshen up and took a chartered tricycle to Iba Zambales
2:30 am when we reached Iba Zambales and rode a bus to Manila we reached Manila 7:30 am
Mt Tapulao was surely one hell of a trail and off-road combined. Reaching its pinnacle, one must possess a solemn heart filled with patience and persistence before one could see her distinctive beauty. If there would be an ice cream that best soothes for Tapulao all I could say is a very rocky road with fortified rocks on its topping.
Its length will test your patience and faith, reaching its summit is one of the best accomplishment you can experience while climbing it, just to add, bring a lot of stamina and persistence. If we could compare climbing Tapulao to a very beautiful lady like Maria Makiling I can say it would be a very long courtship. Till next climb.
MT. TAPULAO
Palauig, Zambales
Major jump-off: Sitio Dampay, Brgy. Dampay-Salaza, Palauig
LLA: 15.4833 N, 120.1166 E, 2037 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 6-12 hours
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 1-3
Features: Pine forests, views of West Philippine Sea
-pinoy mountaineer
