Location: Atok, Benguet, Philippines
Entry and Exit Points: Sitio Timbak, Barangay Cattubo, Atok, Benguet
Elevation: 2,717 MASL (8,914 feet)
Days Required / Hours to Summit: 1 day / 25- 35 minutes
Specs: Minor Climb; Difficulty - 2/9; Trail Class 1
Entry and Exit Points: Sitio Timbak, Barangay Cattubo, Atok, Benguet
Elevation: 2,717 MASL (8,914 feet)
Days Required / Hours to Summit: 1 day / 25- 35 minutes
Specs: Minor Climb; Difficulty - 2/9; Trail Class 1
Features: The third highest mountain in Luzon and the 9th highest peak in the Philippines. It has open trails on its sides planted with local crops like potatoes, cabbage, carrots, lettuce and different varieties of flowers and cactus. From its 360 degrees viewpoint, rice terraces and other mountains can be viewed on their most splendid beauty. Sea of clouds can also be viewed depending on the months of visit according to our local guide. It is the most easiest climb I ever had since from the jump-off point starts at 2,249 which means that only 468 MASL is left to scale to the summit.
While at the summit of Mount Timbak
I was just a joiner of this climb and it started when we had a meet up at the Greenfield District parking lot in Ortigas Center of Mandaluyong at around 8:00 P.M. but we left boarding a van at 9:00 P.M. heading towards Atok, Benguet.
Our meet-up venue at Greenfield District parking lot
It was a long drive heading north and most of the joiners were Call Center agents and seasoned climbers. I knew nobody in the group. I just saw the advert of this climb in Facebook and I paid for a down payment thru GCash so that I can be included in the climb.
Stopover at Leeza's Restaurant in Sison, Pangasinan
At around 2:10 A.M., our van had a stopover in Sison of the province of Pangasinan to take something to eat or drink hot coffee or eat goto to warm our stomach. It was very cold inside the van and some might have taken sleep but I did not. We have already 214 kilometers for more than 3 hours drive.
Our van service vehicle
If you will notice, most of those who had a stopover in the restaurant are mountain climbers in the mountains of the North. Some, though not in the same group, recognize each other since most of them climb mountains almost every weekend. Only a few are really families who travel for leisure to the North particularly Baguio City.
Heading to the jump-off point
As early as 7:54 A.M., we were already driving towards the jump-off point. I felt dizzy because I was not able to sleep during the trip. This is the usual arrangement when we do have climbs in the North, we leave Manila at around 9:00 P.M. or 10:00 P.M. usually Friday evening since most of the joiners are still coming from their work.
Parking at the jump-off point
Our van drove to the higher elevation just to park at the jump-off point which was already at 2,249 MASL. We can feel the cold air. Benguet is noted for having a cold climate because of its mountainous area at a very high elevation.
The view from the jump-off point at 7:57 A.M.
The view was really rewarding. Wherever you turn your eyes, rice terraces are very visible. The terraces are planted with local crops and even flowers.
Started the trek at 7:59 A.M.
Even if I was sleepy, I managed to go ahead with the rest of my fellow joiners as I wanted to capture them climbing up in one line. The fresh air that I breathed invigorated me.
The panoramic view as we climbed higher
As we climbed higher, more neighboring mountains can be seen. The dramatic rice terraces terrain are becoming more evident, such a view to behold.
The view deck at 8:02 A.M.
At the view deck, there is a store where we can buy our breakfast for hot milk, coffee or chocolate but most of all the cheaply priced fresh vegetables. For just 3 minutes trek, we already reached this very rewarding view.
Loving the experience of being on top of everything
You see, when you are in this kind of place, you will be in complete spell admiring the beautiful creation of God. You feel so different. I was completely speechless to be exact.
Still at the view deck
It was already 8:18 A.M. and we were still at the view deck since some of our companions were still sipping their hot coffee and eating local delicacies.
Cactus for sale
It was already 8:23 A.M. and still at the view deck
I don't understand why some of my companions were buying vegetables and fruits when we are still to trek to the summit. Besides, we were the only group that were there.
Trekking to the summit resumed at 8:32 A.M.
Take note, we only had trekked for 3 minutes going to the view deck and this time, we again resumed the trek at 8:32 A.M.
I was ahead of them at 8:36 A.M.
Reached this point at 8:38 A.M.
The view just below our location
Communication Towers were at the higher elevation
The view at 8:46 A.M.
Group picture at 8:55 A.M.
The organizer requested for a group picture for his business advert. Bundokerong Pandak was the organizer of the event. I really don't him personally, but I can always see his Facebook advert to joiners climb.
I just love this view while on trail
The mandatory 5-minute rest at 9:15 A.M.
We were advised to stop by the organizer so that we can regroup at this point. Some were left behind since they are filming and taking instagrammable pictures. A few in the group even took with them costumes while taking pictures and videos.
Look at this! Such an amazing view
Literally superb view
Finally the summit at 9:20 A.M.
Excluding all the rests and stops from the jump-off point to the summit, it was only 32 minutes total time that I spent for my personal record.
Literally on top of the world
The view below our location
Another summit angle shot
This is much better
Descending from the summit at 9:42 A.M.
The community down the summit
We left the place at 10:12 A.M. I for one, bought some vegetables and fruits for it those were really from cheaper compared to Baguio City prices where we will also go after this climb.
The Side Trips
Stopover for lunch at 11:41 A.M.
From the jump-off point, we had another drive heading back home but has to have side trips. Along the way, we had a stopover for lunch at Ricken Star Restaurant in Km. 50 Sayangan, Atok, Benguet. Part of our tour package was to visit the Northern Blossom but when we were there, we were not accommodated due to the crowding of tourists.
The haunted Diplomat Hotel
Since, we failed to avail the Northern Blossom, our organizer convinced us to have Baguio City as our side trip wherein we toured to the haunted Diplomat Hotel. Well, the place is not new to me since I have been here for a number of times.
At the back of the Diplomat Hotel
The Baguio City Heritage Hill and Nature Park (formerly and still commonly known as the Diplomat Hotel) is an abandoned structure atop Dominican Hill, Baguio City, Philippines. The local government initiated rehabilitation efforts, which was started in April 2022, through a 15 million Philippine pesos grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The whole property on which it stands has been renamed as the Dominican Heritage Hill and Nature Park. A panoramic view of the city unfolds from its vantage point, the stone crucifix on the outdoor patio of the hotel's second floor.
Making myself busy at the Diplomat Hotel
The facade of the Diplomat Hotel
From the Diplomat Hotel, we had a drive to the Burnham Park, officially known as the Burnham Park Reservation, is a historic urban park located in downtown Baguio City. It was designed by eponymous American architect and Baguio city planner, Daniel Burnham.
The busy park of Burnham
Burnham Lake, formerly known as the City Pond, is about a century-old man-made lake situated at the center portion of Burnham Park. The depth of the body of water is about 3.04 meters (10.0 feet). Boat rentals are available in the lake catering to tourists and residents.
Some of our companions roamed around the city and some others bought Pasalubong and we agreed that Burnham Park was our meeting point where we will regroup at exactly 4:00 P.M. for a long drive heading back to Manila which will be for more than 5 hours travel.
