Due to excitement and to avoid congestion on the road, me and 4 others of the YAPPAK went to PARTAS Terminal in Pasay by 10:00pm, an hour ahead of the assembly time on February 5, 2010. Before we left the terminal, the participants have to register. Shirts and IDs were distributed. The bus departed at about 1:00am. We arrived before 8:am in Candon, Ilocos Sur, PARTAS Terminal. Rode in tricycle (P10) to take us in the Plaza. Our backpacks on top. But unfortunately my bag fell on the road. Luckily, the butane did not leak off. As we're passing by the plaza the friendly driver who serves also as our "tourist guide" told us that the church in the plaza has the biggest painting in the Philippine's churches. The trip took only 5 minutes. We had our brunch at Jollibee. After eating and while waiting for the rented jeepneys, Edith and I visited the church. There's a mass that time. The ceiling of the church can also be compared to the Sistine Chapel ceiling painted by Michaelangelo in Rome, Italy.
The three jeepneys had arrived and started heading off to Gregorio del Pilar. The road is not easy, but it will ease your boredom for the two-hour trip. There were tobacco plants along the way, which is the Ilocos pride.The jeepneys have to crossed the big rocks, rivers and sandy soil. That's maybe one of the reason why the jeeps are modified and their "makinas" are not of the same calibre in the jeepneys in Manila. Somehow it reminds me of the Pulag roads. On the way, we come across with other vehicles and jeepneys. The jeepney that we came across with back off to give us way. It's kinda creepy because that jeep stopped at the edge of the road, where a wrong move will cause danger to its passengers. As far as I remembered there were three or four children on topload. Thanks to God that the driver of that vehicle is truly well-experienced.
Arriving at the municipal hall of Gregorio del Pilar, the organizers (PinoyMountaineers) talked with the locals and guides. Other participants took rest and ate halo-halos and their packed food. The medical practitioners led by Sir Gideon, who will be graduating soon, conducted a check-up to the locals. Some of the health problems encountered were cataracts, high blood, and diabetes. One of the elders having diabetes has wounded foot and no antibiotics and or medicine to take. There is no nearby botikas. The drugstore is down the city and is seldom that one of their family members had to go there. I wonder what will happen to people who needs emergency health assistance. I wonder how they're taking care themselves regarding their health. Maybe the government and or local government must be aware of the medical needs of the people in del Pilar and nearby village. Although the people looks happy and contented to their simple way of living, when it comes to health everybody is at risks.
After the medical mission of PMs, there is a briefing. Our adventure will be the first time in mountaineering history that will attempt to discover the trail and conquer the Peak of Tirad Pass. For it is not known to many hikers that Tirad is a good and wonderful climbing destination. By 1:00pm we left the covered court, rode again the jeepneys that will took us to the jump-off. Alighting the jeep, we started the expected 3-hr climb. It's kinda hot. I had to prepare myself and weigh my 40L bag proportioned to my body. I'm happy and amazed that the trail is comfy that there were "kubos" to rest and banyos made for "emergency hygienic necessities" on the way. The kilometer-walk is fun. Every rocks has writings on it (inspirational quotes) like that of the mountaineer's creed. These scenarios will melt away your tiredness. For the last kilometer, you will notice that you're in the base camp already because there is a sign that welcomes you there.
We pitched our tent near the rock having words "917m above sea level". We cooked our supper at about 4:30pm. Our packed viands were paksiw na galunggong which later on became fried GG, sardines, and chicken. (We failed to buy the famous longganisa).But before the food were cooked, I ate and ate pans, chocolates, etc, because I never took brunch and my pets in my stomach were already craving for food. Of course after eating, we had to clean our cook sets, and everything for the day ahead. "grabe" there's an improvised sink and the water flowing from a rubber tube is so cold and refreshing, and "masarap inumin talaga". That was the real mineral water. There are also CRs and garbage area for biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Hours passed, we had to turn the lights off and refill our lost energy and be prepared for the next day trek. The night is so cold and I can't find my "malong". I forgot my headlamp and flashlight. Every minute I am awakened by the cold wind circling in me. Until I find my cellphone and use it's light. It's almost 3:00 am when I became comfortable in my sleep. Haay, only minutes ahead left. Maybe because of that, I never heard my alarmed clock. And it's already 5:00am when I awoke by the voices outside the tent. I get outside stretching my body, finding that my brother, ton, rommel are already boiling water for our coffee. And because I never packed my milk, I took a few sip only to my kuya's kape. I stopped drinking coffee for many years, but I had to take hot drink.
A minute later, we we're guided to our peak assault. We're in the first batch of participants composed of 16 persons. It's still dark that day so we have to used our headlamps. We don't have to bring our bags anymore. The expected time of hike is 2-3hours. It is more advisable to wear shoes than sandals and use gloves. While waiting for others to arrive we rested on big rocks and had little conversations while eating our trail food. After being completed, we again started to walked and walked and walked. Until we begin to be more excited when we saw the peak is almost at hand. And truly, according to our guide, the last 20minutes is very challenging, especially when taking the summit. Before attempting the peak, I took a deep breath and taking in the fresh air, and let my eyes explore the beauty of nature for about 3minutes. Then stored lots of courage and concentration to take it to the top. A wrong move will lead you to accident and or worst. Like what had happened to one of us-- she maybe failed to balance herself and nearly fall to the ravine. Her hands on the safe side but her body was almost at the edge. Fortunately, she was saved by the man behind him. The trail is steep and narrow. You have to crawl and hold on to the dried grass and be careful enough, watching every moves of your foot and body; and watching the people ahead and at your back. That time we rested for a while in a much bigger area where we can took a picture of ours. Satisfied by the view down from the top, we went to the peak and grambling onto the rocks (rock climbing). There were no ropes. I was thinking where would I step on my feet just to reach the peak. I never looked down even on my sides, because I don't want to see the ravines. The peak only allowed 5 persons at a time. Of course, after reaching the summit the picture-taking will not be out-of-the-scene on top of the 1388MASL rock and soil formation. The tower in Pico de Loro came into my perspective. Maybe from this adventure, I can assault that one day. So after lavishing from the scenario, we had to go down so that others can reach also the peak. But woowh, It's more difficult for me to go down. The soil are loose and there were rolling stones. My buddy had accidentally give a rolling stone to the person ahead of her. Thanks that it did not hurt that man. To be more safe, we have to sit and make a careful slide to go down. My heart is beating fast but I did not allow myself to think of something else. I did not allow the fear to overcome me. The other participants had turned their back and did not attempt to go up. Curiousity prevails me that time. If I will not go upthere, I will be frustrated. If I will not to climb the peak that time, when would I? I told my self, I guess it's now or never. I was thanking the weather for being friendly to us. For me, if it is my time (end of time), it's my time. All I have to do is ask guidance to the Mighty One. As we go down, the youngest climber, who is a boy of grade 5 (Diego), only sat behind the grass quietly. He's afraid of heights and never wanted to take a big move. He's waiting for his father who is almost a few steps to the peak. But since there were many climbers, the father decided to go back and comfort his son. At last, we finally made it and decided to go back to the camp. We we're following some climbers who we're also heading to the base camp. and there we're also behind us. At first we're on the right track singing Boom Boom Pow...(haha)...Because of that enjoyable song (LOL) we anticipated that the other way is the right one. But as we go through, the trail is so complicated so we decided to go back on our way and get some communication. Good thing that there is a cellphone signal and that Sir Gideon and some of the organizers were just near and found us. We're never that far from the right track. And so everthing's under control. We told us what happened and according to them it is understood because the path was not closed. Because of that incident, we decided to block that way using the branch of the tree which I sat on. And so the adventure goes on.
We arrived at the base camp by 12 noon. Took our lunch, rest for a while, have a group picture-taking, and then break the camp. By 2:00pm we began to leave. Not far from the site, is a cave where according to history is where the surviving soldiers took cover during the battle. We set aside our backpacks for a while, wear our headlamps and went inside the cave. Before we enter, (of course, camera is always in the picture) we gave our wacky pose. And to my amazement, a bat came into the cave and hit my shoulder by it's wings but gone so fast. As we go along, I uttered words such as "Tabi-tabi po" even it is only past two o'clock. Maybe crazy for others, but I just wanted to show respect to non-visible creatures. Nothing to lose if you follow some of the "elders' bilin". The cave adventure run only for 5 minutes but I was then satisfied. Though it's very short for me it's fulfilling. I love this kind of excitement-triggering activity. After an hour, rested again in a hut and made some small talks to other climbers. Regaining some energy, we went by until we reached the jump-off and waited for the jeepneys to brought us back to the Plaza. Actually the original plan is to traverse to Quirino side but 'twas changed bringing us back to another 2-hours ride crossing again the rocks and rivers. But no regrets seeing that view for the second time.
The group went straight to Jollibee to eat supper and have socials where certificates of conquest and Deuter gift cheques were given to all participants; while the 40L Deuter red backpack and water-proof Merrel shoes have been raffled. Luckily my brother won the Deuter. And sad to my part (hehe), the Merrel shoes I am longing for was not in my hands. After the gathering, we we're given half an hour to buy pasalubongs or to go wherever we want as long as we're in the terminal by 8:00pm. Inside the bus, everyone easily got asleep. We arrived in Manila by 5:00AM. What a tiring body we had but all of us were happy and have relaxed mind despite some "aberyas" we had encountered.
I can say that Tirad Pass is one or the most challenging, thrilling and terrifying historical adventure, after Mayon, in my climbing history so far. Every sweat, every calories that had burned from my petite body was all of worth. Every rough terrain and heavy bags were designed for a cause. It's an extreme passion that I will never forget rather ignore without any reason for the rest of my life.
(Thanks to PinoyMountaineers)
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