Our Freezing Quest to witness Mount Pulag's Sea of Clouds

Pushing through our Pulag adventure was not an easy plan.

First, I did not notify our parents about it. Second, my sister and I planned to leave at Friday night which is consider rush hour in Manila. Third, we have nobody to accompany us aside from our tour guide. Lastly, it was our first major climb! We're amateurs who just wanted to see the sea of clouds since we got fascinated by blogs.

We're supposed to leave the Cubao Bus Terminal at 9pm but due to traffic and work conditions of my banker sister, we departed at around 10 pm. We're so lucky that we have a very understanding tour guide. He is the famous, Yunan Eligado Reyes, the one recommended by our trusted travel agency, 8wonders.

At 5 am we arrived in Baguio where we will be transported via monster jeepneys that usually travel going to Benguet.

The sun was up when we were required to attend the DENR seminar. This is mandatory to all hikers before pushing through Mount Pulag Adventure, be it Ambangeg Trail (for amateurs like us) or Akiki Trail (for the professional mountain climbers).

Next stop was the Babadak Ranger Station where tourists line up for tent and sleeping bag rentals and also for someone who will carry your bag back and forth Mount Pulag. The ranger station is 8 kilometer away from the jump-off point. We have to walk all the way there then hike.

We were all smiles at first since we did not know what lies ahead of us.

From our jump-off point, we suddenly became serious and treated ourselves as strangers. My sister has this hobby of being competitive that at that time, she was so eager to reach the peak no matter what. We actually have around 15 minute interval during the hike.

The photos below illustrate that even though Ambangeg trail is easier than Akiki, the mossy ground and rocky road added thrill to our hike.

After four hours of tireless walking, we made it on the camping ground 1. However, our tour guide wanted us to stay and sleep on camp 2 which is located on a higher level.

It was February 2015 when we made this Pulag Trek and believe me, hikers needed to wear fleece and layered jackets. And during that time, a typhoon just left the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Apart from nearing negative degree celsius kind of feels, we prayed harder for us to witness the sea of clouds.

Aside from Kuya Yunan, Kuya Stephen also helped us during the trek. He's so friendly that he even helped us set up our tent.

We toured around just not to waste our time. The photos below may look ordinary but we're actually surrounded by dwarf bamboos. We went over the peak of the mountain near the camp site to have better view of the place.

By 4pm, we almost touched the sky. Yes, that was a cloud above us at the camp site. All our hopes were up just that amazing scene.

As the sun bade good bye, sea of clouds suddenly appeared along with the freezing atmosphere.

The secret behind our survival was the four-sided drink also known as Gin Kwatro Kantos along with our tour guides and new found friends. We felt the kick and the vibe to get through the night. We almost felt dying but thanks to the alcohol that helped us sleep til 3am.

We began our trek to the summit by 3am. We're like the crazy ones there who walked like zombies and with cellular phones that acted as head lamps. After two hours of darkness, we're rewarded by the blessing from God. Yes, prayers were answered. We thought that heavy fog will hide this beauty but God is great to allow us to witness His gift to mankind - the sea of clouds!

There were around 200 people who were amused like us.

Kuya Allen and Stephen also served as our tour guides and photographers.

And our Pulag trek will not be complete without the mandatory photo with the Mount Pulag signage. Yes, we did it!

Look how surreal our feeling were! This is the proof that once in our lifetime, we're actually there to see the sea of clouds! We're truly blessed and lucky!

When we decided to return to the camp site, we're shocked on the image of the track we used on the way to the summit. If you look on your side, you will get dizzy. We felt like we're hanging on a cliff out of the darkness. It's true that darkness will give you strength to conquer something you haven't done in your life. Just, trust God!

After packing in the camp site, we're on the move to go home. This sums up the look on people's face whenever they are tired yet appreciate the beauty of nature. It's simple and rewarding of course.

Our happiness were overflowing. On the way back to the ranger station, we tried monster jeepney toploading! The adrenaline rush was beyond words! We passed by lines of electricity and water supply and we suddenly turned into death defiers!

To end our trip, we're treated by these kind mountain hikers-slash-tour guides to a buffet. The food was great and so are they! We promised to meet them on the next adventures since we earned friends from them. Til next climb guys!