DAY 5, Back to Tulgao; BMC 2k6 Induction Climb
DAY 5, the rains have finally ceased and sunlight struggles through thick clouds overhead. I asked Bossing to have Robert carry Ito’s backpack. They left soon after Arnel’s group departed the bivouac site. Bing and Doc followed to assist our weak friend. Alvin, Lorie and I started our trek after the requisite sweep of the campsite.
We followed a route down to a stream leading to an irrigation canal approximately 2 feet wide that snakes down to a steep trail which exits to a cogon area, and further down to the rice paddies carved along the mountain side.
I had fun recovering the ropes installed by the lead group along the steep sections of the trail. It kept my mind off the discomfort brought about by gastrointestinal infection.
Slowly the forest receded behind us as we entered a cogon area. After 3 days of being soaked in the rain, our bodies are now feeling the warmth of the sun.
Photo courtesy of Jhoanna Pimentel
Around noon, we caught up with the groups of Arnel and Alman taking their lunch together with Ito, Bing and Doc in one of the dry rice paddies. Ito was asleep, resting underneath a shelter after ingesting the medicine provided by Chok.
Photo courtesy of Jhoanna Pimentel
We could see the village of Balay to our extreme right; and Tulgao to our left, across the deep valley in front of us. We would have to descend a steep trail down to a river, cross it using a hanging bridge, and follow another steep trail up for us to get to Tulgao.
About 2 hours after we resumed our trek, Alvin and Lorie’s pace started to slow down. We have finally caught up with Yvonne descending the steep slopes by herself. Alvin overtook her and waited for us in a shed situated atop an overlook a few meters above the hanging bridge.
The sky was starting to get dark again; Kalinga is getting impatient with its visitors. Rain started to fall as soon as we went into the shed. I told Yvonne to start ahead after the rain stopped; we followed after she was well on her way up the steep trail to Tulgao. The next time we saw Yvonne was 6:30PM when we reached the school grounds of Tulgao. ATL Norman, VP Internal Bojo were there to welcome us.
After a brief rest, we trekked to a waiting shed further up the road. The continuous rains made the road in and out of Tulgao almost impassable. We stumbled upon the groups of Arnel and Alman, their jeepney stalled while its driver and a few other locals try to revive it. Some of them joined us in the trek. Half an hour later we met Bossing coming back from Sleeping Beauty Inn bringing with him food. We boarded our vehicle, rested and waited for the stalled jeepney, and for our departure.
Finally we arrived at Sleeping Beauty Inn around 11:00PM. Yvonne could barely walk; she was brought down to the clinic by at least 3 people. Ito was also brought in for treatment while the rest proceeded to the dining area and feasted on the food prepared for the climb team.
Everyone made it down safely. Now I can relax and tend to myself.
~ Carpe Diem ~
We followed a route down to a stream leading to an irrigation canal approximately 2 feet wide that snakes down to a steep trail which exits to a cogon area, and further down to the rice paddies carved along the mountain side.
I had fun recovering the ropes installed by the lead group along the steep sections of the trail. It kept my mind off the discomfort brought about by gastrointestinal infection.
Slowly the forest receded behind us as we entered a cogon area. After 3 days of being soaked in the rain, our bodies are now feeling the warmth of the sun.
Photo courtesy of Jhoanna Pimentel
Around noon, we caught up with the groups of Arnel and Alman taking their lunch together with Ito, Bing and Doc in one of the dry rice paddies. Ito was asleep, resting underneath a shelter after ingesting the medicine provided by Chok.
Photo courtesy of Jhoanna Pimentel
We could see the village of Balay to our extreme right; and Tulgao to our left, across the deep valley in front of us. We would have to descend a steep trail down to a river, cross it using a hanging bridge, and follow another steep trail up for us to get to Tulgao.
About 2 hours after we resumed our trek, Alvin and Lorie’s pace started to slow down. We have finally caught up with Yvonne descending the steep slopes by herself. Alvin overtook her and waited for us in a shed situated atop an overlook a few meters above the hanging bridge.
The sky was starting to get dark again; Kalinga is getting impatient with its visitors. Rain started to fall as soon as we went into the shed. I told Yvonne to start ahead after the rain stopped; we followed after she was well on her way up the steep trail to Tulgao. The next time we saw Yvonne was 6:30PM when we reached the school grounds of Tulgao. ATL Norman, VP Internal Bojo were there to welcome us.
After a brief rest, we trekked to a waiting shed further up the road. The continuous rains made the road in and out of Tulgao almost impassable. We stumbled upon the groups of Arnel and Alman, their jeepney stalled while its driver and a few other locals try to revive it. Some of them joined us in the trek. Half an hour later we met Bossing coming back from Sleeping Beauty Inn bringing with him food. We boarded our vehicle, rested and waited for the stalled jeepney, and for our departure.
Finally we arrived at Sleeping Beauty Inn around 11:00PM. Yvonne could barely walk; she was brought down to the clinic by at least 3 people. Ito was also brought in for treatment while the rest proceeded to the dining area and feasted on the food prepared for the climb team.
Everyone made it down safely. Now I can relax and tend to myself.
~ Carpe Diem ~