Travel Tips on Trekking Mt. Pulag

Traveling is always associated with the unknown, the exploration of unfamiliar and strange land. Being ready prior to the scheduled travel should always be prioritized amongst everything. 



It is important to be informed about the mountains/destinations being explored – its weather condition and the different trails that will be tackled; we should always do a study beforehand to be educated about the place that will be ventured. 

In this regard, here are some reminders and tips before scaling the highest mountain in Luzon – Mt. Pulag:

Coordinate with DENR Personnel
The very first action done by most hikers/organizer especially when hiking Mt. Pulag is to coordinate with DENR Personnel. It is best to inform the concerned authorities ahead of your scheduled hike for your own safety.

Follow the rules and regulation implemented by the DENR/Barangay

The right thing to do as hikers/visitors/trekkers is to abide the rules implemented by the DENR/Barangay: hire a guide, have a medical certificate which will be presented upon your arrival to the DENR Office. Regulated rules should always be highly acknowledged by hikers/trekkers with manners. To lessen the animosity towards the Mt. Pulag Management, we should respect and obey the rules regardless of the different principles we believed in. 

Be well-informed about the mountain

Before I embark to any destination, I always read and browse different articles/blogs to be informed about its status and updates. We should not attempt to venture any destinations when we lack knowledge about it.

Prior to your scheduled hike/trek, make sure to be well informed about the mountain – its specification and difficulties, and its weather condition especially when hiking/trekking Mt. Pulag considering the cold temperature. In an organized hike/trek, don’t miss out your pre-climb meeting. Pre-climb is very crucial to any hiking or trekking activity - it will orient all the participants about the mountains that will be explored and discuss all the possible important matter regarding the climb. 

Always be ready

Being ready is always a pre-requisite especially when venturing Mt. Pulag dealing with the long trip, scaling its different trails (Amba, Akiki, Tawangan, Ambaguio), and its cold temperature. Prior to the scheduled hike, check if you are physically fit and mentally ready with no manifestation of sickness. Individual with a serious health condition is not allowed to venture Mt. Pulag, be reminded. 

"The golden rule of any adventure: always be prepared."

Condition yourself

When I did join the event for Mt. Pulag via Akiki trail, we were mandated by the organizer to condition ourselves and have a tune-up climb prior to our scheduled trek which we eventually did and somehow helped us all throughout. Apparently, the event was a total success finishing the trek for only 8 hours. Normal trek in Akiki trail will take you 12 - 15 hours long to reach the summit.  

This is a mandatory to oneself, if you feel lacking physical strength and energy but tempted to hike/trek Mt. Pulag. You need to train yourself in order to cope with the physical fitness needed for the said trek/hike. Refrain from vices that affect your health, also eat healthy food and exercise. 

For amateur hikers, It is advisable to have a tune-up climb - go for minor climbs before scaling the like of major climb such as Mt. Pulag. This practices is done by most hikers/trekkers/trail-runners to test their body if they are conditioned enough to continue the journey. 

Be well-equipped

When I embark on a long journey that require camping, I always bring all my equipments and gears. Being independent will somehow refrain you to depend from your fellow hiker/trekker/organizer, you can't always depend on them. It is a required to have your own trekking equipment/gears, practice being self-contained. 

Here are some things you need to consider bringing for Mt. Pulag trek/hike: 

- Tent

- Cookset/burner

- Flashlight

- Medical Kit

- Camera or Go Pro (for documentation)

- Thermals/ jackets/glove/bonnet/Malong/scarf

- Blanket/Sleeping bag/Mat

- Trek pole

- Rain coat

- Foods/Trail foods

- Toiletress

- Plactic bag/ Trash bag

- Iodized salt

- Liniment oil

- Headgear/shades

Bring your own medical kit

If there's one thing I will recommend to bring for safety purposes, it is a medical kit. The cold weather of Pulag triggered my asthma which hindered me to trek, but luckfully I brought my kit and was able to take my medicine in a nick of time which allowed me to progress until the summit. 

We can’t always depend on the rescue of others. We should have our own medicinal kit in case accidents occur. It is also our responsibility to learn about first aid which is required when having a Basic Mountaineering Course. 

Trekking pole is essential (trekking)

I'm not a fan of having a trekking pole before, I didn't notice the importance of it until I experienced scaling the Akiki Trail. My body can't proceed anymore due to my recklessness of not practicing light packing. My bag weighed 19 kgs and I have to carry that weight all throughout by myself up to the summit. The difficulties triggered me to pick a branch of pine tree that served as my trekking pole which somehow supported and helped me reached the highest peak of the mountain. 

You need a trekking pole when trekking, especially when scaling the trails of Mt. Pulag such as Akiki/Tawangan/Ambaguio. It will support you on your ascend and descend to balance your body particularly when exhausted. Trekking pole will help you ease your trek/hike. 

Do light packing if necessary 

Bring necessary things only; things that are only needed on your hike/trek. When carrying a loaded/heavy bag, the outcome: tiredness, weariness, and dreadfulness. A possibility of hiring a porter will happen if light packing is not accomplish which will cost you money. 

Endurance is the key when engaging in a long and arduous hike, it is important to practice light packing when you embark for trekking or even hiking. 

It’s all about the layers
Waterproof your things/Wear a waterproof layer

Don't forget to bring your own rain coat/waterproof layer for emergency. And don't neglect to protect your gadgets by waterproofing. 

Wear a heat-retaining layer/Bring warming materials

Don't forget to wear a thermal jacket and warming materials such as bonnet, socks, and scarf to adapt with the cold temperature of Mt. Pulag. Always ponder, don't underestimate the weather. 

Bring enough water

We all need water; all living things need water. The very fundamental thing to bring is water. When we perspire, our body needs water to replace the sweat that gets out of our body. Every hiker/trekker should have their own pack of water. 

Know your limits

Over the past years, a lot of hiker/trekker who venture Mt. Pulag are not always successful - some of them experienced cramps along the trail and relinquish their journey; some have worn out and eventually quit; and inevitably misfortune happen - death in Mt. Pulag still persist due to hypothermia and sickness.

Like what they sometimes utter - "You can't win them all." Climbing mountain is not always reaching its summit. When you are disdained to continue and your body can't absorb the hardship gain along the course of your trek/hike, don't push yourself. The possibility of venturing Mt. Pulag is limitless just as long as your financially and physically able, if you fail you can always come back.

|| End