My 22nd birthday is coming up and i've been wondering what to do, and since it has been our tradition to set a birthday climb. So this event has been created.
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| Stairway to heaven! View from the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon; 9th highest peak in the Philippines. |
My 22nd birthday is coming up and i've been wondering what to do, and since it has been our tradition to set a birthday climb. So this event has been created.
Major jump-off: KM. 55 in Atok, Benguet
Elevation: 2,717+ MASL (3rd highest mountain in Luzon; 9th highest peak in the Philippines.)
Specs: Minor Climb
Features: Fire mummies | Village life | Vegetable fields | Magnificent views of major Cordillera peaks
Mount Timbak is considered the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon and 9th highest peak in the Philippines
From Dangwa terminal Baguio City, we ride a van bound to Bontoc. Get off at KM 55 Atok Benguet.
There are no permits necessary to climb mount timbak and tour guides are also not a mandatory since you can ask the locals for direction if you are unsure of where to go.
From the jump off point you may begin your trek on a cemented road that will took 2 and half hours of hike, but you may also go directly to the Timbak Elementary school if you bring own private car or you can take a ride to a hitch. we were lucky enough we had a ride with one of the locals in the middle of the trek and took us from the Mummy cave registration (unfortunately Mummy cave was closed since May this year)
instead of 30-45mins of trek and it is a little bit exhausting.
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From the Mummy cave registration, we start to trek again. We passed through a small towns where we met some of the locals with the glimpse of their daily lives in their farm.
Reminder: Be careful not to step on their crops!
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| Nakikita mo ba yun? Dyan ko tinapon yung pake ko :) #BitterHUGOT |
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| View of the Cordillera mountains |
We reach the summit around 10 in the morning and welcomed by a wonderful view of sea of clouds with a few nearby mountain. The summit itself is marked with three large white crosses. (I'm not able to take a picture on the Mini cavalry, due to religion beliefs) This is called the Mini Cavalry. we spent time on the peak and enjoy the cool mountain breeze on the top and enjoy seeing the different terraces of crops all over. Definitely an awesome sight to behold!
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| Back ride in a gas mini delivery truck! |
We start to descend around 11AM, its a good thing that we took a backride on a mini gas delivery truck (first time to experience) since we're running out of time with our expected Itinerary.
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| Get off to the HIGHEST POINT PHILIPPINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM! |
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| Dinner at the famous 50's diner at Baguio after hike |
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| Rehearsal for fetty wap challenge at Burnham Park but first let us take a group selfie! :) |
Arrived at Baguio around 4PM and roam around the city, took dinner at 50's diner. It is around 7:30 in the evening when we left the city
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| November Babies with not-so-candid shot at the Summit :) |
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| Pabebe pose with my Highschool bestfriend. |
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| Advance Happiest Birthday Kuya Pogi! :) Indeed it was a spectacular birthday climb for both of us. |
And what's the climb thought me somehow? You need to make a life while making a living. So even though i'm so eshausted that day i went straight to office to do my job. (lol)
Its been 22 years existing on earth, I may not have the title nor achievement yet, hiked mountain for the 7th time around, been on the top of the mountain and i know someday I will be on the top of the stage where I could finally say " I made it!"
KM. 55: DAYTRIP FROM BAGUIO
0600 From Baguio City, take bus bound for Sagada or Bontoc
0730 ETA KM. 55, start trek
1030 Arrival at Timbak Elementary School. Head for summit
1030 Arrival at summit, talk with locals
1100 Head back to Timbak Elementary School
1130 From school, start descent
1400 Back at KM. 55; visit Highest Point in highway then/or await Baguio-bound bus
1600 Back at Baguio City
by Jobelle Villareal
- 5:41 PM
- 2 Comments
