Hiking Talks #09: Highest Peak in Central Luzon ~ Mt.Tapulao

MAJOR CLIMB| The highest mountain in Central Luzon and Zambales Mountain Range in the province of Zambales, Philippines. The summit which rises to an elevation of 2,037 MASL (6,683 ft), with temperature cooler than that in Baguio at 12-16 Celsius( 53.660.8 Fahrenheit). It is located in the municipality of Palauig, Zambales. The name Mt. TAPULAO is derived from the fact that there is an abundance of the Sumatran Pine Trees in the area , which the locales (called ZAMBAL) , name as “Tapulao”.

The mountain was once a site of a large-scale chromite ( a component use to fabricate a steel) mining by Chinese operators. The destruction of the beautiful natural scenery is visible in the mine pits on the summit as well as other related structures along the trail as some of the chromite bricks are yet visible as you tread along  the trail beginning the 13th kilometer.

HIKING
The trek will start in the ECO CENTER of Sitio Dampay, Brgy. Salaza, Palauig which is the major jumpoff point. It is around 7KM from the junction of the Regional Highway. From the trailhead of Brgy. Dampay 0KM, one may start trekking the mining road up to the 16thKM (Bunker) CAMP 2 with an elevation of 1,875 MASL. Set a camp for the final assault to the summit the next day, trekking on a ridge at the side of the mountain with the forest line 2KM from the camp to the Summit which takes 30mins.

The famous bonsai at the summit

The ascent can be done in 7-8 hours while the descent can be covered in half the time. Guests and tourists aiming to climb the mountain are to register at the ECO CENTER Brgy. Dampay for further safety and security instructions related on the rule and guidance in accordance to the tourism authority. This is due to some incidents of lost mountaineers and guests over slight confusing trails (to some unexperienced) .A guide is required even though the trail is pretty straight forward following the Mining Road. Guides have a professional fee of 500php in 24H time frame. Farther down the settlement is a trail leading to the Bagsit River. Guests may also gain a Certificate for Completing the Climb for only 50php.

 

TRAVERSE HIKE

A traverse hike is also possible starting from the eastern side of the Mt. Tapulao in Brgy. Labney(found in the town of Mayantoc in Tarlac province) ending in Palauig, or vice versa. The trail from the northwest is a longer and much more challenging route than that of the one in Zambales. But the reward is a more diverse environment and fauna during the entire trek.

   

TRANSPORTATION

Catch up the daily trip of Victory Liner from Caloocan near Monumento LRT station/ Robinsons Mall (fare 342php). 2300H is the suggested time of the trip in going to Iba, Zambales in scaling Mt. Tapulao, in order to arrive early morning the next day because the travelling time takes 5hrs., so the trek can start before the sun goes up to avoid suffering from heat exhaustion along the trail since it is an open trail using the old mining road. Reaching Iba ,Zambales stop in the Victory Liner terminal and commute or hire a tricycle going to Sitio Dampay Brgy. Salaza, Palauig (major jumpoff) 450 fare for 4 pax it takes 40-45 min travelling time.

 

 ITINERARY
 I don’t post a detailed itinerary because I believe such should be experienced by nobody else but you yourself. General time frame in every stops are shown in the transportation and hiking part of the article.