Mount Pulog

Mount Pulog
Mount Pulog
Elevation	2,922 m (9,587 ft)
Location	Luzon, Philippines
Prominence	2,922 m (9,587 ft) Ranked 106th
Coordinates	16°35′0.86″N 120°53′0.93″E / 16.5835722°N 120.8835917°E / 16.5835722; 120.8835917Coordinates: 16°35′0.86″N 120°53′0.93″E / 16.5835722°N 120.8835917°E / 16.5835722; 120.8835917
First ascent	Unknown
Easiest route	Hike
Listing	Ultra

Mount Pulag (or sometimes Mount Pulog) is the second-highest mountain in the Philippines. It is Luzon’s highest peak at 2,922 meters above sea level. The borders between the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya meet at the mountain's peak.

Because of its high elevation, the climate on Mt. Pulag is temperate with rains predominating the whole year. Rainfall on the mountain averages 4,489 mm yearly with August being the wettest month with an average rainfall of 1,135 mm.

The mountain hosts 528 documented plant species. It is the natural habitat of the endemic dwarf bamboo, (Yushania niitakayamensis) and the Benguet pine (Pinus insularis). Among its native wildlife are 33 bird species and several threatened mammals such as Philippine deer, giant bushy-tailed cloud rat, “bowet,” and long-haired fruit bat. Mt. Pulag is the only place that hosts the 4 cloud rat species. It has one of the most diverse biodiversity of the Philippines, with the newly found (since 1896) 185 grams dwarf cloud rat, Carpomys melanurus, a rare breed (endemic to the Cordillera) and the Koch pitta bird among its endangered denizens.^[1][2]

On February 20, 1987, a large part of the mountain was designated as a National Park with Proclamation No. 75. This act aims to preserve the environment around the mountain due to threats from increased development such as conversion to agricultural lands, timber production, hunting, and increased tourism.

The indigenous people of Benguet consider the mountain to be a sacred place.

Hiking activity

As the highest mountain in Luzon, Mt. Pulag attracts a lot of mountain climbers. Highlights of the climb include the montane forests and the grassland summit with its "sea of clouds" phenomenon. There are four major trails up the summit: the Ambangeg, Akiki, and Tawangan trails from Benguet and the Ambaguio trail from Nueva Vizcaya. These trails are managed by the Mt. Pulag National Park, under the Department of Environment and National Resources.

The national park is open throughout the year. A permit is necessary. Depending on the trail, a climb may take 1–4 days, with the easiest being the Ambangeg trail. The difficulty level of the climb ranges from 3 to 7 out of 9 in the local classification system. No special equipment is required for the climb. ^[3]

The national Park is inhabited by different tribe such as Ibaloi, Kalanguya, Kankanaey, Karao, Ifugao and Ilocano.

Presidential helicopter crash

On 7 April 2009 a Philippine Air Force (PAF) Bell 412 of the Presidential Airlift Wing crashed at 6,900 feet above sea level in the Kabayan-Pulag pass between Mount Mangingihi and Mount Pulag in thick low cloud and fog. All eight aboard, including presidential aides, died in the crash and resultant fire.^[4][5]. Mount Pulag guides assisted in locating the wreckage and in the recovery of the bodies.

References

• “Mount Pulag.” MountaiNet Philippines [1]
• PinoyMountaineer: Mt. Pulag [2]

Notes