For the First Time Climbers

Climbing Mt. Pulag is an exciting, exhausting, but definitely a humbling and awe-inspiring experience. But just how prepared you are can make or break your entire trip.

So if you're a Pulag virgin like me, here's a few things you may want to keep in mind if you decide trek to the highest peak in Luzon. 

1. Have the right clothing and gear. Organizers would usually send you the list of things to bring - follow it.  Remember that it's always the bare essentials in the mountains, they wouldn't tell you to bring something unless you'd really be needing them. Here's what you need start stashing, list (and comments) by our organizer, Yabag Mountaineers:

• Clothes (2+1 sets)
• Fleece Jacket/Down jacket/Shell (must be suited to temperatures of 0–7 degrees Celsius/32-45 Fahrenheit)
• Raingear (Rain jacket/ Poncho; or makeshift, like a garbage bag)
• Trekking Pants/Jogging Pants (Preferably waterproof, must also keep you warm)
• Extra socks
• Trekking Shoes/Rubber Shoes (make sure you've test-worn those days before the trip)
• Pair of Gloves (that actually work)
• Bonnet/Balaclava/Head gear/Scarf/
• Sleeping bag or thermal blanket/ solar blanket• Ground pad or Earth pad for back insulator
• Plastic bags (for water proofing of your bags, clothes, cameras and other items)
• Sleeping bag (a must to be truly comfortable)
• Large Garbage bags (at least 2 pcs)
• Flashlight/Headlamp (plus, extra batteries)
• Personal whistle (in case you get lost in the mountains, a whistle is a better chance for us to hear you)
• Personal meds and First Aid Kit
• Tissue Paper (there is only an open pit for number 2 while we are at Camp 2)
• Mess kit (Plate or container bowl, utensils) don’t Bring disposable utensils or plates
• Personal hygiene kit
• Water bottle (at least 3 liters if you're sensitive to unfamiliar water; or just a 1-2 liter container, easily refillable with cool, fresh, clean and potable mountain water)
• Personal Trail food (candies, chocolates, cookies; to share!)
• Camera (for photo ops!)
• Happy Disposition, an Attitude of Gratitude, Sense of Adventure (this is the most important!)

And if I may add,

• lip balm, moisturizer, lotion 'cause the cold can really dry up your skin
• sunblock, it might be below 10 degrees up there, but you're also pretty close to the sun
• wet tissue, lots of it (go figure)

2. If you have money, buy. If you have friends, borrow. Climbing stuff are not cheap. Thermal jackets can go from 7k (for Northface) to around 13k (for Columbia). I know what you're thinking - kalokohan. But it makes 'cause you wouldn't want to bring substandard clothing and gear up there (pramis, ayaw mong mamatay sa ginaw.) It won't hurt to borrow these essentials if it's your first time, especially if you're not even sure you'd be using them again (but I'm pretty sure you would:p).

3.  Know what to expect. Major climbs usually require a pre-climb, or an orientation where organizers (or whoever is heading the climb) to discuss the itinerary, weather conditions, checklists, and everything you need to know and expect. If you can't make it to the pre-climb ('cause we know weekends are precious and leaves aren't easy to come by), ask your organizers for the pre-climb files. Read and understand, ask if you have questions. It helped that I have a cousin who's a mountaineer, I got my personal orientation hehe.

4. Prepare physically. You know that post-workout feeling after you've just gone on a month-long hiatus? Imagine that feeling- times 20, times O degrees. That's how it's gonna be if you don't get those legs and lungs ready. 

5. Condition yourself. It's not gonna be the most comfortable trip of your life. There's no proper restroom. It's tiring, it's cold. It might rain. Deal with it. 

And when you get there, enjoy. Embrace the cold. Take a few shots every now and then. Prepare to get dirty. Make new friends. Climb. Be in awe of the sea of clouds. Come back down feeling better than you did going up. 

My trusty trainers. I'm sorry, but we had fun didn't we? :)

Make the most of your date with Mother Nature. :)