Mt. Pigingan Day Hike
Dalupirip, Itogon
Sept 25, 2022
Elevation: 1328 meters or 4356 feet
Difficulty: 4/9 (Pinoy Mountaineer)
Major Climb
Jump-Off: Sitio Balocloc, Brgy. Dalupirip, Itogon
Features: grassland, pine ridges, scenic views of Benguet Mountains, knife-edge summit
As part of my for self-discovery and development journey, engaging with nature thru hiking tops my list. After my hike in Rizal, I realized that I haven’t explored my own turf. Shame, but here we are now. Its not too late but not early either.
For quite sometime, I have been hiking to places tagged as a “minor hike”. I found those hikes to be somehow unchallenging meanwhile most of my companion grasp for breath. Maybe because I grew up in a place where walks consist of uphill, downhill, curves where the path are not cemented. Its a normal thing especially when I go to my hometown.
Because of that I’ve been wondering what would a “major hike” look like.
Mt. Pigingan was the closest major hike from my place. So when one of my friends wanted to go on a challenging hike, I suggested we go there.
We planned to go there as early as 3AM but then we end up travelling at 5AM. (Well, what would you expect, going on adventures with friends would always end up to either a late start or cancelled, at least we pushed through)
On our way, we took a wrong turn which made it farther to where were supposed to. (Again, what could go wrong, road trip is life, except mahal gas)
We arrived at the registration area around 6:30AM only to find out, we were supposed to book for reservations. And the person we thought have booked for us was not responding. After some talks, thankfully we were allowed to hike.
While waiting for the barangay officers to find us a guide and a ride, we were referred to a store to have our breakfast. The people there were nice and just got along with my friend’s jokes and playfulness. We, then filled ourselves with corn beef, tuna, egg, and tons of laughter. We also enjoyed their brewed coffee (by the way it was free)
Afterwards, we went back to the registration area to prepare our things and get ready for the hike. We rode a jeep to take us to the jump-off. Few of us stayed inside the jeep while me and my lady friend choose top load. Apparently, the ride was fast and bumpy. It was like riding a roller coaster with random bumps. Good thing, it showed off a scenic view from there. The disadvantage of top load? Well, there were a few times where I almost got hit by branches and leaves. It was also almost impossible to avoid it.(coz it just too fast) Happily, I was still able to take photos and videos.
It was around 8:40AM when we started walking. Good thing, the weather is gloomy or it would’ve been so hot since we started late.
On first part of the hike, we passed the bridge, houses and barrio schools. It was a 2 hour walk of flat surfaced path with a combination of cemented, rocky, clay trail. We also bumped into several motor riders carrying food supplies. I was just amazed that even though some of the pathway were narrow, they still manage to pass.
When we started going uphill, we had a lot of stops. We were either resting or taking photos. Most of us were Cordilleran but we’re still amazed at how beautiful the mountain ranges there. There were also cows along the way. Some of them were following us as we pass by. Since were the last group to hike, 2km from summit, we started to bumped into the other hikers who stayed overnight. As we continue to ascend, some of us started to feel our body aching. As we we’re wonder when will we ever arrive, we reminisced our school days, fooled around, sang, did some skit broadcast reporting which helped us go through till we finally reached the summit.
The last leg to the summit is again an effortful climb. Its a cliff and it was steep. It feels like one wrong move and you’d fall far though it has a majestic view of the mountains. It was just awesome. Gazing at it just reminds me how wonderful our God is. He created nature and he created us. It is just so beautiful that being in nature heals parts of us.
Since, we hiked just before the typhoon strikes, on our descend, we got caught up in the rain. We walked with extra care to avoid slipping. Thick fogs were everywhere. Despite that, the mountain ranges looked amazing. We managed to arrive at the junction around 4PM. Had some snacks while two of our companion went ahead.
Feeling cold and tired, we decided to ride a motor back to the jump-off. Just when I thought I had enough of motor ride when I went to Mt. Pulag, this ride surpassed it. It was raining. The pathway is not cemented, parts of it where muddy, rocky and narrow yet the the motor was so fast. I salute the skills of the driver and the capability of their motor but I am definitely scared I’d fall or slip to the point where I almost regret riding it. It was indeed dangerously thrilling.
Thankfully, the rain stopped on our way back to registration area. We, then again, drop by the store where we had breakfast to have another round of coffee and head home.
I am delighted that on this climb, I got to spend it with people that encouraged and inspired me these past few years. My student life would have sucked without them. I am thrilled that we made it despite the lack of proper preparation, sleep and water. Its not a good practice but I really commend the people I went with. Hiking a major climb during a typhoon with no proper preparation, hours of walking uphill, getting rained at and a life threating ride is not easy. It was one heck of an experience. I don’t think this will be happening again the soonest so thank you mga bess (sa uulitin), it was great. Cheers!!
PS.
Cheers sa tourguide naming nabaliw na din sa kabaliwan namin. Sa driver ng jp na nakikitawa na lang muna at higit sa lahat salamats sa driver ng mga motor na kahit papaano hindi kami nahulog sa daan at buhay pa na nakarating. Apir na lang din.
Things to Know:
- Walk-in is not advisable due to availability of guide and rental jeep/monster truck. Advance booking is must.
- Expect that signal is not stable. There are some places that has strong connection.
- Be prepared. It’s 80% uphill.
- They only accommodate 100 hiker/day.
Things to bring:
-2 -3 Litres of water (kung tamad ka, may mga water source along the way)
-Trail foods/packed food (kung tamad ka tlaga, may tindahan din dun bili ka na lang)
-Arm sleeves (mainit na malamig)
-Extra clothes
-Camera
-Extra money
-Umbrella/Raincoat (mainit sa daan at e kun umulan bigla)
Proposed Itinerary Day Hike (from Baguio)
3:30AM-Assembly
4:30AM – ETA registration area, secure guide and ride
5:00AM – ETA jump-off
5:15AM – Start Hike
7AM – Arrival at the Junction, take a rest
9AM – Campsite of Mt. Pigingan
10AM – Summit of Mt. Pigingan
11PM – Start to descend backtrail
1PM – Arrival at the Junction, take a rest
3PM – End of hiking, wash up, change
4PM – ETD back to Baguio
Fees:
Registration: P200
Environmental: 30
Guide: 700 (7:1)
Jeep Rental (from Registration to Jump-off): P2000
Note:
Contact Person for booking/reservation of slot: Kimberly Vallejo Banguete 09489558205
You can ride a motorcycle from the junction @300/ride/hd. Ride with precaution. They drive really fast.
DON’T LITTER. KEEP YOUR TRASH WITH YOU.
The J.O.U.R.N.E.Y 