Hive Philippines Travel and Nature Photography #1119 - by Allmonitors

#1119 - Mount Pulag Shots for Saturday.

Happy Saturday to us all amazing Hive family all around the world! I hope you are feeling relaxed and ready to enjoy this beautiful weekend. Enjoy the little moments that make life special. Have a fantastic Saturday, stay safe and keep spreading positive vibes😊.

Moving now to our daily shots when our alarm went off at 1 AM and the first thing we felt was the biting cold in Kabayan, Benguet and we're ready to climb the famous Mount Pulag. It was pitch black outside and the temperature was really cold. My wife and I have our jackets and gloves and prepped ourselves for the long night ahead.

We joined a group of hikers because we didn't have a clue that we need to register at the DENR and Ranger station. As we go out to the ranger station to start the trek the adrenaline was pumping through our veins already.

We began our ascent in total darkness. The only light came from the headlamps adn flash lights of our group and other groups looking like a chain of fireflies moving up the mountain.

The Ambangeg trail was not steep and just rocky and easy for beginners. I could see my breath puffing out in white clouds every time I exhaled. I also kept checking on my wife but she was surprisingly energetic.

It took us about four hours of steady trekking. By the time we reached the summit, it was around 5 AM which was the magical moment where hikers wait for the "sea of clouds" and the golden sunrise. Instead of the skies clearing up, we were met with a thick clouds and fog and rain.

Visibility up there dropped to almost zero. We couldn't see the famous view, the horizon nor even the edge of the summit. It was just a white, foggy, rainy world up there. It was honestly the coldest I have ever been in my life.

We were standing at the peak of Luzon's highest mountain. I looked at my wife drenched and shivering but she had the biggest smile of accomplishment on her face.

We huddled together for a quick photo at the summit marker, thanks to our group. We didn't get the postcard-perfect sunrise but we had the victory of the hike.

My wife kept saying how amazing the experience was, despite the rain and the cold. It was a chilly, wet but ultimately wonderful adventure that we would never forget moving forward.

Follow me on my nature travels.
Shot taken in Kabayan Benguet, Philippines.