Dubbed as "Stronger at 30", my first twin hike took place in Mt. Fato and Mt.Kupapey at Bondoc, Mountain Province. The hike was to celebrate my 30 years of existence.
I am working as Senior High Teacher at that time in the Department of Education. Consumed with teaching and non-teaching task, I dream of having an adventure on my 30th birthday. But during this time, I am financially challenged so I opted to look for a very affordable adventure. At first, I am thinking of traveling to the Dingalan so I texted one of the numbers posted in one of the traveler's blog to asked for details (but actually to calculate the expenses, budgetarian traveler could relate.)Out of despair, I posted my move on my Facebook account, and one of my High School friend who happens to be the owner of "Yes to Adventure" who coordinate climb year round saw my post and invited me to join their "Mt.Fato and Mt.Kupapey twin hike" luckily scheduled on my birthday, February 16-17, 2018.
Telling her what I am into at that moment, Mercy offered me to come in their group just paying the downpayment to reserve seat (another half can be paid anytime according to her, lucky I am.)
It's not every day I am turning 30, so I grabbed it.
Together with my husband, we joined the team headed by our coordinators Brix and Ronmer. The team originally met up in Manila, but since we live in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija they picked us at the bus stop of Victory Liner in Lapaz, Tarlac.
Long travel begins at 12 midnight on February 16.
First Stop
Banaue Rice Terraces at Ifugao, Mountain Province.
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| I and my husband. Photo off with the native of Ifugao. |
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| As we enjoy the scenery at the viewpoint of Banaue Rice Terraces we took lots of pictures so we can look back in that day when we grow old. |
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| The birthday girl. |
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| My supportive husband Nuel, my forever travel buddy. |
We had our first meal in Ifugao that day. The group ate brown rice and simple viand like tortang talong in the canteen near the tourism office of Banaue, Ifugao.
After enjoying our meal we stopped on the view deck of Banaue Rice Terraces. Banaue rice terraces is a system of irrigated terraces in the mountains, created 2000 years ago by the Ifugao people. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites since it is one of the living cultural landscape of unparalleled beauty.
Second stop
After Banaue Rice Terraces, we continued our adventure until we reached Bontoc, Mountain Province. We stayed at one of the homestay in Maigcong, overlooking the magnificence Maligcong's rice terraces. We had time to rest from a long ride and wait for 3:00pm for Mt.Fato Hike.
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| The view outside the balcony of our homestay. |
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| Husband's photo off in the chimney of the homestay. |
We had time resting from the long travel and at 3:00pm the group went out of the comfort of our room to conquer Mt.Fato.
Mt.Fato has an estimated 1438 MASL with a trail class of 1-2 and difficulty of 3/9 (source:pinoymountaineer.com) It features rock formations at the summit. On our climb, our goal was to reach the summit before the sunset.
Fellow mountaineering enthusiast, please don't underestimate the 3/9 difficulty of Mt.Fato because its trail makes me feel dizzy or maybe it was just me since I am not that active before I did the hike. Even if it was just a minor climb, take note of this "be prepared." Never ever underestimate any mountain, a climb will always give a hard time before you can witness a beautiful view at the summit.
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| On the trail, I had to sit at the moment to catch my breath while my husband was enjoying capturing sceneries of the mountain. |
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| The scent of the pine trees along the trail helped me to regain energy. |
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| Us, enjoying the rock formations at the summit. |
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| Sunset at Mt.Fato. If you are looking for the "golden hour" like that of the sunset at the beach, nahhhhh, we had a different sunset experience here at the top of the mountain. |
We ended our first day with the beautiful sunset of Mt.Fato. Descend off the mountain before the lights run outs.
Next stop
On our second day at 3:00 in the morning, we braved the cold atmosphere of Bontoc to chase sunrise at Mt.Kupapey. Chasing sunrise on the day of my birthday was very memorable, it was like telling myself that the on my 30s, there will be new hopes.
Mt.Kupapey has estimated 1647 MASL, it offers sunrise viewing and aerial view of Maligcong Rice Terraces.
With renewed energy, we climb Mt.Kupapey after finishing our fresh brewed dark coffee of Bontoc. It was overwhelming to see other groups of climbers walking with their flashlight before the sun came out. The trail looks so goods. It seems the lights were walking and following our footsteps. Although I was not able to take photos on the trail that morning because I only have my phone camera with me, the scene was very clear on my memory. Walking lights on the trail and chatterings of freshly wake climbers all excited for the sunrise. We all walked on that dark trail, braving the cold, hoping that sunrise will meet us at the summit.
When we reached the summit, there were already groups of climbers sitting on waiting for the sunrise. We look for space and sat on our own and joined them waiting. Haze during that time were covering the view of Maligcong Rice Terraces.
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| The haze hiding the beauty of Maligcong Rice Terraces. |
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| Us patiently waiting for the sunrise. |
No one actually loses hope that the sun will rise that morning. Holla, after waiting for almost an hour, the sun rises and everyone was amazed by its beauty. At that moment, I realized how lucky I am to witness such an amazing view of my 30th birthday. With that experience, I believed that my journey on my 30s will be the best of my life.
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| The sunrise of Mt.Kupapey and the Maligcong Rice Terraces. |
After the sunrise, we took the chance to explore the summit of Mt.Kupapey.
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| Exploring the summit after finding new hope. |
After exploring and enjoying the view, our group went down of the mountain feeling so close to each other. Joiners can relate to that.
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| Our group as we descend, going back at the homestay. |
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| At the Maligcong Rice Terraces, no rice paddy at the moment. Planting season is on May and its full bloom is on June. |
We went down to rest, to have our breakfast and to get ready for the last part of our trip...our side trip in Sagada.
But before the side trip let me tell you the insight that I learned from our coordinator who is a seasoned mountaineer, as he said,"We have our own summit, so don't be afraid to give up on trail if your body is already telling you to do so." On my own understanding, he was telling us that time, that in life we have our own summit. Maybe in reaching our dreams, our goals, and there is a certain point in our life that we will reach our own and it is not necessary for us to compare "our summit" to the "summit" of other people that we will meet on trail (life).
Side trip
My birthday adventure ended in Sagada. It was my 3rd time to visit the place and first time for my husband. Our side trip was a quick visit to Sagada, Mountain Province where we visited the St. Joseph Church, Lake Danum, and Hanging Coffins.
Now, why did I dubbed my birthday adventure as "Stronger at 30," it was because on the weakest point of my life I felt so strong emotionally to face life challenges and physically to do the twin hike.
I will be forever thankful to the people behind my story. 'till my next climb!
P.S
For hassle-free adventure, look for Mercy Caba of Yes to Adventure.
