Hello everyone!
I know I left you hanging on the second part of this series, so I'm trying to upload this as soon as possible. I have so much to discuss this experience so let me pick up where I left off. Remember my fourth mistake in the previous post? Well, I should have left half of my lunch for dinner. Turned out it was my last proper meal for that day. Read on to know more about this insanity.
When we were about to leave the old campsite to continue to the summit, I asked the guide how far we were based on his estimates. He said we were near because, after the mountain that we would pass, the other end of it will be Mt. Pangasugan Peak. Fifth mistake: I should have prepared for the worst and took it as a sign that the guides were not really good at estimating based on our current pace. He asked if we should continue for the summit or go back to the campsite. Being the optimistic one of the bunch, I said that we should strive for the summit considering how far we've come and what we've been through. I can say I had a summit fever at that time. I didn't want to have any regrets so I thought reaching the summit was the priority. Since all agreed to continue and the guide was not assertive, we continued the trek. I was exhausted, but I was replenished by the meal and as long as there was water, I thought I will survive.
I honestly thought it would be all assault after the old campsite. So we continued with the trek not knowing what lies ahead. We left the old campsite at 1:00 PM. Again, it should have been the biggest red flag when the guide said that we would reach the summit by noon, and yet the summit was nowhere in sight and we were already an hour past the said time. As optimism clouded the right judgment, I really thought we would probably reach the summit by 3:00 PM. Different scenarios already played in my mind if ever we won't be able to reach the campsite by 11:00 PM. Should we continue with the trek until morning the next day? As we continue with the assault, I already had some intrusive thoughts like what if we would meet big snakes along the trail? What are our options? As the overthinker in me took over, I never paid attention that we were starting to descend.
Should we have another river trek just like in the first part of the trail? I asked the guide and he said it was not that long compared to the first part. Again, I believed him. Another mistake.
True enough, we reached another stream that was marked by rocks with red colorations. If you happen to climb Mt. Pangasugan, that spot can be easily distinguishable. I thought it was odd because all the surrounding rocks have no such colorations. As we got closer, my suspicion was confirmed. It was indeed a spring and the red coloration in the rocks are iron oxide or rust. The spring is rich in iron that easily oxidizes the moment the iron-rich water comes into contact with air. Now you learned something from my demise. 😆
Let's just say that the spring is the start of another hell in the form of river trekking. Once you see that unmistakable landmark, be prepared for another suffering. I noted in my previous post that river trekking is my forte. But not at that part of the trail. It was pure agony for me.
Unlimited River Trek Part II
The moment I set foot on the rocks of that stream, I knew I met my match. Just look at the rocks in the photo above. It's laden with algae and moss that if you won't be careful with your steps, I'm sure injury is just around the corner. Coupled with the reality that we were kilometers away from civilization, injury should be avoided at all costs.
Aside from the super slippery rocks, it didn't feel like river trekking. It felt like bouldering or canyoneering. We had to rely on the roots and vines of trees. Trust me when I say that those rocks can't be trusted. I had so many close calls because I didn't know where I should land my next step. There was no good option.
There were parts where we had to rely on a very small rattan to move upward. Roots are not that abundant in that area, so they had to install a makeshift rope for you to hold. It was so cool and moist in that part of the trail that those poisonous and colorful frogs thrive there. We saw a lot of spotted tree frogs, but for some reason, I have no single photo. There was also a part where we had to climb a cliff and we had nothing to hold except the roots with notches that also serve as steps. Those steps were intended for giants and tall people. Again, your knees and chin must touch, and then you have to haul your whole weight upwards. It was not easy nor a pleasant sight.
We were so deep into the mountain that there was no defined path. You have to hop on those rocks. But it was so beautiful! We were covered by virgin forest on both sides. I'm not sure if I was able to appreciate that beauty at that time. I was so tired and I was so focused on making sure that my footing was secure.
We passed by a skull that was put in a rock to serve as a landmark. I'm not sure if it was of a deer or wild boar, but it was there to remind the climbers that they are near the end of that stream. It also felt so ominous like a stern warning about the dangers of the mountain.
After the skull, we passed by what the guides called bali-bali or broken in the local language. The place is full of broken logs and branches, mangled together by the landslide. We had to pass over it while the stream quietly flows underneath.
At the end of the stream was another spring that serves as its source. It was the last water source before the summit. We had to take a rest there before the final assault to the summit. It took us almost three hours from the old campsite to the end of the stream. It was unexpectedly slow considering that it was just a few kilometers. Better be safe and sure since we were already behind schedule anyway.
The Final Assault to the Summit
The summit felt so near yet it was concealed. It felt like the mountain didn't want us to see its glory because we were not able to reach the cut-off time. It was another grueling uphill climb. It was the same feeling as the ridge in the second part of this series. I started to catch my breath. It was not an easy trail either. There was a slight indicator that a human or an animal passed by that trail, but that was it. It was almost covered by vegetation.
As our guide said we were nearing the summit, the more I was catching my breath. Good thing we had plenty of short rests because we were waiting for my two other friends. We didn't want to leave a big gap with them because you can easily get lost in that part of the mountain. As much as I wanted to take a lot of photos, my body was in survival mode. I was so tired.
That was the only photo that was taken by Marj on that part of the trail. It was in an aftermath of a landslide. We had to find a way to cross that part and I'd say it was the trickiest part of the whole trail. Crossing to the other side meant we had to overcome the slippery rocks. At the end of that slope was a deep cliff created by the landslide.
Summit At Last
When we reached the summit, it was already 5:00 PM. It took us another five hours just from the old campsite to the summit. It was already fogging, so there was nothing to see at the top except the south peak of Mt. Pangasugan. We took our photos and I wasn't sure if it was worth it because I was worrying about our way back to the campsite. It took us 10 hours to climb and we would need another 10 or more to climb down.
Whatever goes up must come down. I still have a lot of stories to tell about our way down. Those will be in the last part of this series. If you feel like I'm milking this story, you're right. I should milk this because I nearly died on that mountain. Watch out for the last and most exciting part! See you! Bye!
Kim Ybañez
Welcome to Kim's small corner in Hive. He is a chemical engineer by profession, but a blogger by passion. He is a wanderlust and an adventure seeker. Join his quests as he visits remote destinations, climbs mountains, tries new and exotic dishes, and explores his country (The Philippines). He's also a trying-hard photographer so stay tuned as he shares his photos and his thought process while creating them.
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