Remembering Tapulao 1999

Pulag in Zambales

TJ was intrigued when someone mentioned High Peak to him sometime 1998. He remembered the mountain. He was due to climb it in October 1998 with his one and only patient friend but the intention did not take off. TJ asked me to research on it. I gave him Paul Soliman's* inputs 5 February 1999 and Ninoy Leyran's. Slowly, more helpful developments unfolded like meeting new trekkers at PAL, bonding socially with the Federation participants and reading the Action Asia Adventure Guide reference. As the image of the mountain became clearer so was our completion. 8 months later, 13 of us were among the privileged few to have lived the Cordilleras in the Central Plain. Those short 12 hours when we were at an altitude of beyond 1,200m ASL, up to 2,037m ASL, we felt we were the only mortals in the big block of a range. We were secure with Manong taking care of us at the bunkhouse at 1,650m ASL. In front of us at the East were the formidable three long mountain ranges. How can we deny that feeling of detachment when we trekked for 8 long hours from Dampay Resettlement Camp in Salaza, Palauig Zambales, travelled by bus for 4 hours from Pasay and jeep by an hour to reach this almost level of nirvana?

Hermes who was not in the email string was most surprised at the Victory Liner Bus Terminal to find out this is not his idea of a fun climb. It was an exploration climb-no one has actually seen the place and it was a major climb, demanding as much as his favorite mountain, Mayon. He could not reconcile the presentation of a weekend fun climb with an 8-hour trek under adverse conditions. End result-puñeta at the loudest decibel in every corner of the rocky road. His adventure was beyond physical as well. It harbored on the paranormal. Hermes alleged that his cell roommate Manong was on a blood sucking spree at 3 AM disrupting his much needed sleep.

Jo Ram was atoning for his sins in the true Catholic fashion. He was on fasting and abstinence since Friday night. He skipped 1.) dinner Friday night because he wanted to be on time at the bus terminal sacrificing his meal, 2.) breakfast because he didn’t want to compromise his vegetarian belief and there was no food to his liking at the public market, 3.) lunch because he would rather sleep than eat and the sudden downpour pushed us to go on, 4.) dinner because he would rather stay horizontal than vertical, 5.) lunch because he thought everyone was way ahead of him. He nearly missed breakfast as he preferred to scale the peak than to mind the kitchen but the tempting ampalaya con egg of Larry was too irresistible to overcome.

While Jo was in atonement, Regie was in hell. Not from the persistent probing and counter probing of TJ but from a physically dis-ability. Regie was nursing a fever all the way from Pasay terminal to Caloocan terminal. You have to grant it to this hardcore climber who will pull it through no matter what! But did he survive Metro Manila this week?

Mt. Tapulao, Zambales

This two-day trek brings you to the highest point in the Zambales Range, 2,037-m ASL. Safe and easily accessible, it retains a remote feel. The views are exceptional and the trail takes you through a number of distinct ecosystems, from lowland grass and scrubland up through pine forest to stunted, moss-draped alpine forest above 1800 m. It is possible to hike this in a day, but most prefer to camp in the summit.

Mt. Tapulao (most maps simply call it "High Peak") rises at the center of the rugged Zambales Range, a string of mountains bordered on the west by the South China Sea and on the east by the Central Luzon plain. Mt. Tapulao is one of the few remaining areas where these ancient mountains can be viewed in their original state. No permit is required, but a brief call at the provincial tourism office in Iba is recommended. From Iba, buses and jeepney run north to the next town, Palauig, where you can take a tricycle or jeep to Barrio Salasa and then on to the top of the trails at Dampay resettlement area. There is only one trail, which is well marked, so no guide is necessary. If you want one anyway, make arrangements in Dampay.

From Salasa, the trail runs along small freshwater streams through fields of grass, shrubs and wildflowers. The first peak offers an excellent view of the coast. The trail continues on to a second peak, connected to the main summit by a narrow saddle, with deep-forested ravines on either side. Approaching the main peak, pass through the pine forest known locally as Tapulao, and enter a large area of stunted, twisted trees. Beyond this lies a broad expanse of grass that's great for camping. Bring all the water you'll need.

Robert Houston, Action Asia Adventure Travel Guide To The Philippines (Hong Kong: AAP Limited, February 1999)

*Paul is with Haribon Foundation, a UP graduate who I met in Pulag December 1993. It was my first alpine climb and Paul's first climb together with his high school graduates from Bautista, Pangasinan. The problem was there was storm at the mountain and the high school graduates were closed to being disabled due to lack of equipment and troublesome weather.

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Subject: Re: Some notes on High Peak

Hey Chits,

Mukhang umikot ng husto yung tula ko, ah. Pati si Reggie nakapagdagdag pa ng ilang linya. Pinag-isipan ko yung paggawa ng international version. Pero wala pa. Ikaw kaya ang i-commission ko para sa translation. English version - para sa mga Inglisero/Inglisera.  Putonghua - para naman sa Mandarinero/Mandarinera.

Allow me to shift tongues. I tried recalling the topic highlights of the late night Tapulao talk show. And here it is:

a.    The makings of an ideal climb. What is important is the process and not the peak. Enjoyment of what you see along the way.

b.   What is considered as less than ideal people to be with during climbs. You can climb with women but not with women who are out there to outperform you simply to prove themselves.

c.    Unique social habits of local climbers from a foreign perspective.

d.   Trekking tips.

e.    Climbing with loved ones. Great so long as you share the same interest.

f.     Climbing as a way of life.

g.    Discipline in the wilderness.

h.   Environmental awareness/ethics.

In the hastily staged press conference at the campsite socials, he revealed most valuable insights that I know most of us will treasure: “What is important is the Process and Not the Peak.” The process is your enjoyment of the trek, the company you’re with, nature and your discovery about yourself.

Other insights revealed were: 1.) It is enjoyable to climb with a relationship so long as you share the same interests. 2.) The women that I don’t like climbing with are those who show that they can be stronger than men. His wildest input was to direct Regie to the veterinarian.

Chits, I tried remembering what precisely Martin said. Unfortunately, all that cold mountain air purged these data from my memory banks. I can recall his basic thrust or idea. But, I may just be giving you a convoluted version. In this respect, I'd like to beg off not to go through with it for the sake of accuracy.

O, sige.

Cheers, JOJO

Professional Advice:

1.   Val, the beginning starts with a single step. Enter into the info system profession and start working.

2.   Jojo, project your 3 year plan and see where you want to bring your career.

3.   Hermes, ride on the crest of the internet popularity. Get into info system, web designing.

4.   Mitch, project your 3 year plan and see where you want to bring your career-whether local or international

5.   TJ, get off your ass, finish your schooling and ride on the crest of the info system

6.   Chito, plan your retirement

August 8, 1999

Remembering Tapulao 13
http://tochs.blogspot.com/2003/12/tue-mar-20-2001-850-pm-remembering.html