Bakun Trio (Mts. Lubo, Tenglawan, and Kabunian) (2.0)
October 30, 2015- Life is in constant motion! I have just been in Pampanga, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac for a work- related travel and here I am again arranging my things as I hurry to meet other hikers for our Bakun Trio Hike organized by the Metropolitan Mountaineering Society (MMS). I have given up all my hope in coming to this trip for I am almost 2 hours late but the group waited for other late comers like myself. (Hoooray!)
Bakun, Benguet is almost 12 long hours away from Manila. Going there we went by bus (Manila- Baguio) and then rode a jeepney designed for rugged mountain roads ( Baguio- Bakun). I was so tired from the previous travel that I slept all the way to Bakun despite the rugged, zigzag roads, waking-up only twice during stop-over to eat.
October 31, 2015- We finally arrived at Bakun after the long travel. Being at that place again brought back memories of my Bakun Duo last April 2015. It feels so nice to be back! Bakun is really beautiful and as we started to hike to Mt. Lubo, I noticed how blue the sky was. I think it was the bluest sky I have ever seen and with the green of the pine trees contrasting with the color of the Bakun sky, my mind was instantly refreshed with positive energies.
Compared to my first hike to Mt. Lubo, the trail was much greener now. Once at the summit, we were afforded with a 360 degrees clearing- something that was not given the first time I went there.
November 1, 2015- With a sprained ankle, I started the grueling trek to Mt. Tenglawan. I was so afraid of continuing the hike as I am one wrong step away from making my injury worse but my heart is telling me to go on and do Bakun Trio. I really want to accomplish the hike- all three of them!
We started a little bit late (at 5:15AM) and so missed the chance to see dawn spread upon the Cordillera mountain range. Nonetheless, the views going to Mt. Tenglawan were beautiful: mountains spread and tower before us; waterfalls paint lovely threads of white silk on rocky mountain faces. I can never get enough of the beauty of Bakun and though I have already seen it before, seeing it again feels like the first time.
We reached the summit at about 11:30AM and went for the Carrot Peak right after. I noticed that I am not so afraid of the rock formation now as compared before which made the little climb more enjoyable.
The hike back was done in haste as we don’t want to reach the time allotted for us to complete the hike ( the guides will charge P50 every hour once the 16-hour hike limit is reached). I reached the municipal hall at about 5:30PM and enjoyed eating and sampling different snacks at the Poblacion.
November 2, 2015- Completing the Bakun trio is Mt. Kabunian which I was not able to hike last time because of a forest fire. Unlike Mt. Tenglawan which challenges the hiker because of its extent, the trail to the summit of Mt. Kabunian is characterized by steep ascents. Average time of hike to and from the summit is eight (8) hours and it is advisable to start the hike early to avoid the heat.
What makes the trail to Mt. Kabunian very interesting is that it is one of the trails used in ancient times by Chinese traders who brings in trade goods, and by the Kankana-eys who buy salt at Ilocos. Until now some of the trails are still utilized by the locals to travel to the said region. When we hiked Mt. Kabunian, we even met a family on their way to Ilocos!
Views are also extensive at the summit of Mt. Kabunian. From there, one can see Mt. Tenglawan and the Carrot Peak, and other towering mountains of Bakun.
In Retrospect
I have been in the Cordilleras before but the mountains at Bakun feels different. It was where I realized Cordillera’s true extent, immensity and beauty. There I felt how powerful mountains are without being arrogant. It was truly a very humbling sight. I felt how small I was compared to the mountains but seeing them fills up the soul that one immediately feels as if they are limitless, infinite.
I don’t understand why we cannot finish the hike last April but hiking Bakun again made me see things I did not noticed before like the many fireflies at night, the immense night studded with so much stars. The locals even had a cultural presentation to show us how the Tallak- a native dance which uses wood that produce different timbre for music- is performed.
I thought that Bakun ends at Bakun Trio. However, my last hike proves that it is not the case. We hikers are at home in the mountains however at Bakun, I realized that there will be that one place which will always be special to a mountaineer, a place he or she will hold so dearly- for me this place is at Bakun. I have said this before, and I will say it again and again: I will gladly hike the hellish trails of Bakun just to be in that town again.
