Mt. Damas... A Must See in Tarlac

Mt. Damas

Location: San Clemente Tarlac

If you want a new mountain adventure, Mt. Damas is a must try. It has so much to offer... the beautiful mountain range of Tarlac which is not frequently explored, the majestic Ubod falls, River trekking and of course a test to your basic mountaineering skills.

I've been seeing this mountain range since I was a kid whenever we visit my father's hometown in Labrador,Pangasinan. I never expected that there is so much to explore and enjoy in this mountains.

Freedom Climb 2012

We picked Mt. Damas as our destination for Freedom Climb 2012. This is the first time that our group, SFC WESTB3C GENESIS 222 Mountaineers, will not just climb a mountain but at the same time will reach out to the little kids at Dueg Settlement and celebrate  the Lord's Day on top of the mountain.

1st jump off is at Camiling Tarlac wherein we are greeted by 2 military trucks.  From this point, you still have to travel about 1 hour 30 mins to 2 hours to the major jump off at DUEG settlement. And mind you this ride is something you would never forget.  We are so jampacked inside the truck, more than 40 people I guess that most of us are standing at the center.  The rough road going to the jump-off is so steep that you may feel that you are riding a roller coaster. Dueg settlement is already on a high altitude which is almost at the same level of Mt. Damas' summit (as mentioned in other blog)




Our Convoy

 


Church in Camiling





What to Expect?

• Unspoiled nature unlike those famous mountain destination such as Maculot
• Very long trek so bring along lots of trail food and water
• You can pitch tent on the summit. May accomodate 2-3 standard tents
• Campsite may accomodate more than 30 people
• Expect to be wet for the Ubod Falls and river trekking because you may want to take a dip after a long walk
• A good sight to test your basic mountaineering skills and trail sign recognition
• Be ready with your rapelling skills. We rappel beside a small falls
• Trail may get slippery when wet. Our guides used their feet as stopper. Since this is relatively a new trail some area don't have ropes to hang on.
• Bringing along a trekking stick is a big help especially during river trekking

 *you must undergo


Our group at Mt. Damas Summit

 


The Lord's Day

   As a member of Singles for Christ community, we celebrated the Lord' Day on top of the mountain for the first time. That makes this trip a bit different because we are having fun but gloryfying the Lord at the same time.



Enjoying Ubod Falls

  *This is supposed to be our itinerary to Mt. Damas. But since we are a long way behind our schedule, the trek to the summit was moved to day 2.

Mt. Damas Itinerary

June 09, 2012

0500 Assembly at Victory Liner Cubao (Bus to Alaminos or Bolinao)

0515 ETD to Camiling Tarlac

0900 ETA, Camiling, buy supplies

0930 ETD to Dueg resetlement

1030 ETA, Dueg resettlement(jump off)

1100 Start trek ( lunch along the trail)

1500 Mt. Damas Summit

1830 Dinner time!

1900 Lord's Day

2100 Lights off.

June 10, 2012   0600 Wake-up call

0630 Breakfast

0800 Break camp

0830 Start trek to Ubod Falls

1100 ETA, Ubod Falls( lunch)

1300 Resume trek to Papaac Camiling

1600 ETA, Papaac,Camiling Tarlac

1745 ETA, Siesta Bus Station Tarlac

Notes:
This is an invitational climb by GAME NEST of Tarlac with P500 fee including rice for 3 meals, kits, guides, id and transportation to Camiling to Dueg. Our contact person is Sir Emman Miclat – 09123517719.

Conquering Mt. Pulag

Mt. Pulag

The second highest peak in the Philippines. Rising at 2922 meters above sea level.

Me and my officemates launched an introductory climb to conquer this peak.

July 03, 2010 Saturday

From Baguio, we took a 4-hour jeepney ride to DENR office. We attended an orientation. We had a little warm-up then we started our ascend

We took the Ambangeg (the luxury trail) in Benguet. It was really a long walk. And for a Non-mountaineer like me… this is not a luxury trail!!! My heart is pounding so hard that it almost came out of my chest. Catching my breath... as I walk every step up to the camp site. Well, hello?!?! With no exercise before the climb and with limited sleep what would you expect!?!

Around 5:00 it started to rain… the air was chilly. According to DENR temperature in Mt. Pulag will drop as low as -2ºC at winter months (we don’t have a winter season in our country so maybe this is December to February) and as low as 6ºC at regular season. 2 of my colleagues suffered hypothermia.

July 04, 2010 Sunday

We started our early walk, around 4am, up the summit. Oh?!? I'm catching my breath again. I think my heart and lungs was tremendously used-up. I'm not used to get up this early.

But all I can say is that when you already reach the top, you will forget all your struggles and muscle pains because of the breathtaking site and also because of the idea that you were able to push yourself to the limit. The view really makes you proud as a Pilipino. You will be able to appreciate how beautiful our country is.Then making you want to explore more.

I am really delighted I joined this trip. I’m glad I conquered Mt. Pulag

“You will forget all your struggles and muscle pains because of the breathtaking site”

Itinerary to Pulag via Ambangeg trail

Day 1
21:00 ETD/ Victory Cubao/Espana (around P450-480)

Day2
03:00 ETA Baguio/ Purchase return trip ticket at victory baguio

(rent jeepney going to DENR Benguet this will cost you min. of P800 each

but better if you can contact DENR Benguet beforehand so you’ll have a sure ride)

03:30 ETD DENR Benguet
06:30 ETA DENR/ Orientation/ Briefing (payment P200)
07:30 ETD Ranger Station
10:30 ETA Ranger Station-talk to a guide(P?)/porter (around P500)
11:00 Start Trek
12:00 Camp 1
14:00 Camp 2 set camp

Day 3
03:00 ETA summit
05:00 ETD Summit

07:00 ETD Camp site
08:00 ETA Camp Site
08:30 Break Camp
09:30 Start Decent
13:00 ETA Ranger station
15:00 ETD DENR
16:00 ETA DENR/ log out/ souvenir shop/
16:30 ETD Baguio
18:00 ETA Baguio
19:00 ETD Manila

Day 4
01:00 ETA Manila