⛰️

Mt. Pulag Akiki Trail

Hour-by-Hour Trek Itinerary

Dates: March 4–6, 2026 Trail: Akiki → Summit → Ambangeg Difficulty: 7/9 Duration: 3 days / 2 nights

Trail Overview — What You'll Pass Through

#	From → To	Time	Start	End	Net	↑ Gain	↓ Loss	Character
1	Ranger Station → Eddet River	~2–2.5 hrs	1,314m	1,265m	−49m	+178m	−227m	Downhill through pine forest to river valley — deceptively easy start
2	Eddet River → Marlboro Country	~3–4 hrs	1,265m	2,170m	+905m	+905m	0m	THE KILLER SECTION — relentless steep pine forest climb
3	Marlboro Country → Mossy Forest	~1.5–2 hrs	2,170m	2,389m	+219m	+219m	0m	Rolling terrain transitioning into dense mossy forest
4	Mossy Forest → Grassland	~2–3 hrs	2,389m	2,584m	+195m	+195m	0m	Muddy root-tangled cloud forest, opens to grasslands
5	Grassland → Saddle Camp	~1 hr	2,584m	2,815m	+231m	+287m	−56m	Beautiful open grassland ridges
6	Saddle Camp → Summit	~15–30 min	2,815m	2,922m	+107m	+71m	0m	Quick final assault to Luzon's highest point
7	Summit → Babadak (Ambangeg)	~3.5–4 hrs	2,886m	2,316m	−571m	+101m	−671m	Gradual descent via the easy Ambangeg trail

Total Trek: ↑ 1,956m gain / ↓ 955m loss (from GPX data) | 17 km total

Quick Reference: Elevation Profile

2,922m

★

Summit

+71m from Saddle Camp (15–30 min)

2,815m

🏕️

Saddle Camp

Night 2 · COLDEST: 2–5°C, possible −8°C · Full layers + down + gloves + bonnet

2,584m

🌾

Grassland

+195m from Mossy Forest (1 hr) · Wind shell on

2,389m

🌿

Mossy Forest

+219m from Marlboro (2–3 hrs) · Mid layer + shell

2,170m

🏕️

Marlboro Country

Night 1 · 5–12°C · Base layer + fleece + jacket for sleep

—

🔥

905m gain, ZERO descent

3–4 hrs · Strip to t-shirt

1,265m

🏞️

Eddet River

Lunch stop · T-shirt weather on the climb

1,314m

🥾

Akiki Ranger Station

START · Light layers, pack the fleece

Day 1 — March 4 (Wednesday)

Travel + Trek to Camp

Baguio → DENR → Akiki Ranger Station → Eddet River → Marlboro Country

Pre-Trek: Baguio → Mt. Pulag

Time	Activity	Notes
4:00 AM	Wake up in Baguio	Both set multiple alarms
4:15 AM	Final gear check, freshen up	Everything packed night before
4:30 AM	Head to meeting point	Taxi or walk, depending on pickup location
~5:00 AM	🤝 Meet Manila team	They arrive after overnight bus from Manila
5:00–5:30 AM	Load up, last supply run	Buy any last-minute food/water if needed
5:30 AM	🚐 Depart Baguio for Mt. Pulag	Via monster jeep or van — rough road

Travel: Baguio → DENR → Akiki Ranger Station

Time	Activity	Notes
5:30–7:30 AM	Drive to DENR Office (Ambangeg)	~2 hours, winding mountain roads. ⚠️ Take Bonamine before departure if prone to motion sickness
7:30–8:30 AM	DENR registration & orientation	Present medical certificates + IDs (both of you!). Pay fees, attend mandatory briefing
8:30–9:00 AM	Transfer to Akiki Ranger Station	Short jeep ride to the Akiki jump-off point in Kabayan
~9:00 AM	Register at Akiki Ranger Station	Meet your assigned trail guide

📍 Akiki Ranger Station → Eddet River

1,314m → 1,265m | Net: −49m | ↑ +178m / ↓ −227m | ~2–2.5 hrs

👕 What to Wear — Segment 1

It's ~9AM and already warming up. You're about to descend and will heat up fast.

Top: Moisture-wicking t-shirt or light long-sleeve (no fleece — you'll be too hot)
Bottom: Trekking pants or shorts
Feet: Trekking boots + liner socks — trail is rocky and loose on the descent
Pack away: Fleece, jacket — you won't need them until Eddet River or the climb
Sun protection: Hat + sunscreen — pine canopy is open in sections

Don't start in too many layers. You'll regret it by the time you reach the river.

📷 Camera — Segment 1

Duacan Primary School (~1,409m) — just 10–15 min from the ranger station. Remote mountain school framed by pine trees. Great establishing shot. 28mm wide end.
Halsema Highway Viewpoint (~1,431m) — clearing with views back toward Halsema Highway cutting through mountain slopes — the highest national road in the Philippines at ~2,500m. Telephoto (100–200mm) to compress the road against the ridgelines.
Eddet River (1,265m) — shoot the river itself before lunch. Water, rocks, pine forest backdrop. Also good for environmental portraits of your partner at the crossing.

Time	Activity	Terrain	Tips
~9:00–9:30 AM	🥾 START TREK from Akiki Ranger Station (1,314m)	Pine forest, mild terrain	Start slow, find your pace. Don't rush.
9:30–10:00 AM	Descend through pine forest toward Eddet River valley	Downhill, rocky path	Trekking poles help on loose ground.
10:00–10:30 AM	Continue descent	Steeper downhill sections	Watch your footing. Knees take a beating going down with a heavy pack.
10:30–11:00 AM	Approach Eddet River	Trail levels out near the river	You'll hear the river before you see it.
~11:00–11:30 AM	🏞️ ARRIVE EDDET RIVER (1,265m)	River valley, flat campsite area

Eddet River Rest Stop (30–60 min)

Time	Activity	Notes
11:30 AM–12:00 PM	REST & LUNCH at Eddet River	Proper campsite with flat ground and a bunkhouse
	Refill water bottles from the river	Use purification tablets or filter
	Eat a solid meal — you need the fuel	Trail mix, energy bars, packed lunch
	Wash up / cool down	Last easy water access on the trail

⚠️ Warning

Don't stay too long — the hard part is next. The killer climb starts after here.

📍 Eddet River → Marlboro Country — THE KILLER SECTION

1,265m → 2,170m | Net: +905m | ↑ +905m / ↓ 0m | ~3.5–4 hrs
905m of relentless elevation gain. No flat sections. The GPX confirms: literally zero descent.

👕 What to Wear — Segment 2 (The Killer Section)

You are about to sweat more than you've ever sweat on a trail. Dress for heat output, not ambient temperature.

Top: Single moisture-wicking t-shirt only — if you start in a long sleeve you'll be peeling it off within 20 minutes
Bottom: Trekking pants — loose soil and exposed roots; shorts fine if the heat is intense
Feet: Same boots — the trail gets steeper and grip matters more now
Pack away: Everything. Jacket, fleece, all of it deep in your bag
Sun: Hat is useful — pine canopy thins as you gain altitude in the upper half
Hands: Trekking poles — this is where you'll use them most

The golden rule: if you're not slightly cold at the start of the climb, you're overdressed.

📷 Camera — Segment 2

You will be exhausted here. Keep the camera accessible but don't stop for long.

Ibaloi Burial Sites (~1,853m) — ancient wooden coffins embedded in the cliff face mid-trail. Your guide will point these out. This is a once-in-a-trip shot — slow down and take it. Respect the site. No flash.
Pine canopy looking up (~1,600–1,800m) — during one of your rest stops, shoot upward through the pine crowns. Backlit needles and branches against the sky. 28mm wide.
The moment the pines thin (~2,000m+) — when the forest starts breaking and the ridge opens, turn around. You'll see the valley and Halsema below you. First real scale-of-climb shot.

Keep your a7C2 on a chest harness or front of pack strap so you can grab it at rest stops without dropping your bag.

Time	Activity	Terrain	Tips
~12:00 PM	🥾 Resume trek — begin the killer climb	Immediately steep	Set a sustainable pace. This section breaks people who start too fast.
12:00–1:00 PM	Steep pine forest ascent	Very steep, exposed roots, loose soil	10–15 min hiking, 2–3 min rest. Repeat. Hydrate every stop.
~1:00 PM	Short trail break	Find shade	Snack, water, catch breath. Check on each other.
1:00–2:00 PM	Continue steep ascent (~1,500–1,750m)	Relentless uphill	You'll pass indigenous burial sites — respect these.
~2:00 PM	Mid-climb break (~1,750m)	Slight clearing	Energy bar, chocolate, banana. You're burning serious calories.
2:00–3:00 PM	Upper slopes (~1,750–2,000m)	Still steep but occasional flat patches	Pine trees start thinning. Mental game now.
3:00–3:30 PM	Final push (~2,000–2,170m)	Trail opens up	When you see the brown rolling hills — you're through the worst.
~3:30–4:00 PM	🏕️ ARRIVE MARLBORO COUNTRY (2,170m)	Open brown hillside, wide views

Camp 1: Marlboro Country — Overnight

👕 What to Wear — Marlboro Country Camp (2,170m · 5–12°C overnight)

You are soaked in sweat. The temperature will drop sharply after sunset. Change everything immediately on arrival — this is not optional.

On arrival (4:00–5:00 PM):

Strip and dry off with your pack towel
Change into completely dry base layer top + bottom (this is your sleep layer)
Add mid layer fleece over base layer
Add down jacket or insulated jacket on top
Dry socks + camp shoes or extra socks
Bonnet on once the sun drops

For sleeping:

Yes — sleep in your base layer. At 5–12°C inside a tent, base layers are essential. Your sleeping bag rating alone won't be enough without a thermal base layer underneath.
Base layer top + bottom → mid layer fleece → sleeping bag → down jacket draped on top if needed
Bonnet and gloves on in the bag — you lose heat from your extremities fast
Camera batteries and phone batteries inside your sleeping bag or jacket pocket overnight

Do not sleep in the clothes you hiked in. Damp clothing against your skin at 5°C will wake you up cold at 2AM.

📷 Camera — Marlboro Country (Golden Hour + Night)

Golden Hour (5:00–5:30 PM) — highest priority shoot of Day 1:

Position yourself on the western-facing ridge just above camp before 5PM
The pine-covered slopes below catch warm orange light — shoot wide (28mm) for the landscape, zoom in (100–200mm) to compress ridgelines
Silhouette your partner against the golden sky on the ridge
Shoot the camp itself — tents in the foreground, Cordillera ridges behind

Milky Way / Night Sky (7:30 PM onwards):

Marlboro Country at 2,170m with zero light pollution is exceptional for astrophotography
Sony a7C2 settings: f/2.8 (widest aperture), ISO 3200–6400, 20–25 sec exposure
Foreground: use a tent with a headlamp inside as your light source — warm tent glow + Milky Way arc is the shot
Keep your batteries warm — cold kills battery life fast. Swap in a warm battery from your jacket pocket right before shooting

Time	Activity	Notes
4:00–4:30 PM	Set up camp	Pitch tents, organize sleeping area
4:30–5:00 PM	Change into dry clothes immediately	Wet clothes + cold night = hypothermia risk
5:00–5:30 PM	🌅 Sunset + Golden Hour at Marlboro Country	📷 Camera time — see photo notes above
5:30–6:30 PM	Dinner	Prepared by porter/guide or cook your own
6:30–7:00 PM	Hot drinks, socials with the group	Coffee, hot chocolate
7:00–7:30 PM	Prepare for bed	Batteries into sleeping bag now
7:30 PM onwards	📷 Milky Way window (if clear skies)	See photo notes above
8:00 PM	💤 Lights out	Sleep as much as you can

Day 2 — March 5 (Thursday)

Summit Day 🏔️

Marlboro Country → Mossy Forest → Grassland → Saddle Camp → Summit → Pre-Dawn Return

📍 Marlboro Country → Mossy Forest

2,170m → 2,389m | Net: +219m | ↑ +219m / ↓ 0m | ~1.5–2 hrs

👕 What to Wear — Segment 3

Cool morning start (~5–8°C). You're climbing at a moderate gradient — you'll warm up but not as violently as yesterday.

Start of trek: Base layer + mid layer fleece. Keep the jacket on for the first 20 minutes until you warm up, then shed it into your pack.
Bottom: Trekking pants — morning dew on vegetation will wet your legs through shorts
Hands: Light liner gloves at the start — your hands will be cold until the sun hits
Head: Buff or light beanie until you're moving well

You'll naturally regulate — start slightly overdressed and peel back one layer once the pace is up.

📷 Camera — Segment 3

Marlboro Country at dawn (6:00–6:30 AM) — before you leave camp, shoot the morning light on the hills. Different mood from yesterday's golden hour — cooler, bluer, misty. Tents in foreground with ridges behind.
Pine-to-mossy forest transition (~2,300m) — the moment the pines give way to the first moss-covered trees is visually striking. The shift happens gradually then suddenly. Look for the first heavily moss-draped branches.

Time	Activity	Terrain	Tips
5:00–5:30 AM	Wake up + breakfast	Cold morning	Eat well — big day ahead
5:30–6:00 AM	Break camp	Pack everything, leave no trace	Roll sleeping bag while still warm
6:00–6:30 AM	📷 Morning light at Marlboro Country	Golden morning views	Quick shoot before departure
~6:30 AM	🥾 Resume trek toward Mossy Forest	Rolling terrain, moderate incline	Fresh legs, cool morning
6:30–7:30 AM	Transition zone — pine to mossy forest (~2,170–2,300m)	Trail enters denser vegetation	Temperature drops as you enter the canopy
7:30–8:00 AM	Short break at mossy forest edge (~2,350m)	Lush, green
~8:00 AM	🌿 ENTER MOSSY FOREST (2,389m)	Dense cloud forest, moss-covered trees

📍 Mossy Forest → Grassland

2,389m → 2,584m | Net: +195m | ↑ +195m / ↓ 0m | ~2–2.5 hrs

👕 What to Wear — Segment 4 (Mossy Forest)

The mossy forest is cold, damp, and dark under the canopy. You're not climbing steeply but the technical footing keeps your effort moderate.

Keep your mid layer on — you won't sweat heavily enough to justify stripping down here
Add a light wind/rain shell over your fleece — the canopy drips constantly and everything is wet. Keeps your mid layer dry for when you emerge into exposed grassland
Gaiters — mud and wet roots will spray up your lower legs
Trekking poles essential — slippery roots, uneven ground. Both hands on poles.
Gloves — optional but your hands will be cold grabbing wet vegetation

The temptation is to stay warm and keep moving without stopping. Resist — the mossy forest is one of the best shooting environments on the whole trail.

📷 Camera — Segment 4 (Mossy Forest) — Don't Rush This Section

This is the most visually unique zone on the entire trail. Otherworldly and difficult to capture well — take your time.

Moss-covered tree trunks — get close. Fill the frame with texture. The a7C2 at 28mm minimum focus distance works well here. Look for hanging moss with backlight filtering through the canopy.
Root systems — the root tangles covering the trail are extraordinary abstract subjects. Shoot down from standing height or get low.
Fog and depth — if there's cloud in the forest (very likely in March), shoot along the trail looking into the mist. A figure (your partner) mid-trail at 30–40m gives scale and depth.
Dwarf bamboo transition — when bamboo starts appearing alongside the mossy trees, you're nearing the exit. Shoot the mixed vegetation before you lose it.

The a7C2's IBIS is very helpful here for handheld in low light under the canopy. Stay on Auto ISO with a minimum 1/60 shutter floor.

Time	Activity	Terrain	Tips
8:00–9:00 AM	Trek through mossy forest	Muddy, root-tangled	Every step deliberate. Trekking poles mandatory.
9:00–9:30 AM	Rest break (~2,450m)		Technically demanding even without steep gradient
9:30–10:30 AM	Continue through mossy forest, approaching dwarf bamboo zone (~2,500m)	Gradually opening up	Trees getting shorter — you're nearing grassland
~10:30–11:00 AM	🌾 EMERGE INTO GRASSLAND (2,584m)	Open, windswept grass ridges	Views open up suddenly. You can see the summit!

📍 Grassland → Saddle Camp

2,584m → 2,815m | Net: +231m | ↑ +287m / ↓ −56m | ~1 hr
Note: the GPX shows a −56m dip — there's a rolling descent on the ridge before the final push to Saddle Camp.

👕 What to Wear — Segment 5 (Grassland)

You have just walked out of a sheltered forest into fully exposed, windswept open ridge at 2,584m. This is the biggest temperature shock on the trail.

Put your wind/shell jacket on immediately — the grassland is exposed and wind can be brutal. Don't wait until you're already cold.
Buff or balaclava over your face — at this altitude with wind, exposed skin loses heat fast
Gloves on — fingers will go numb in wind at this elevation without them
Sunglasses — UV intensity is high above 2,500m, and wind will dry your eyes
Bottom: Trekking pants — wind penetrates shorts at this altitude

Layer up immediately at the grassland entry. It takes 5 minutes to get cold and 20 minutes to warm back up if you leave it too late.

📷 Camera — Segment 5 (Grassland) — Peak Photo Territory

This is the iconic Mt. Pulag shot. If you get one great image from this trip, it will probably be here.

Sea of Clouds Viewpoint (~2,750m) — marked on your Garmin GPX. The valleys fill with cloud while the summit rises above. Shoot wide (28mm) with rolling dwarf bamboo ridges in the foreground. If you see the sea of clouds, stop and shoot immediately — it can close in or dissipate within minutes.
Summit visible from grassland — 70–200mm telephoto compression with the grassy foreground and summit ridge behind. Extraordinary scale.
Your partner in the landscape — at this scale, a human figure gives the grassland its true size. Shoot them walking away from you toward the summit.
Wind-bent bamboo — shoot into the wind at ground level. The dwarf bamboo bending in the same direction across the ridge is a strong compositional element.

Wind tip: the a7C2's shutter speed needs to be up — at least 1/500 to freeze wind-blown vegetation. Don't shoot too slow.

Time	Activity	Terrain	Tips
11:00 AM–12:00 PM	Trek across grassland toward Saddle Camp (~2,584–2,815m)	Gentle rolling hills, some ups and downs	Exposed — wind can be strong. Layer up immediately. 📷 Peak photo territory.
~12:00–12:30 PM	🏕️ ARRIVE SADDLE CAMP (2,815m)	Flat campsite just below the summit

📍 Saddle Camp → Summit (Afternoon)

2,815m → 2,922m | Net: +107m | ↑ +71m / ↓ 0m | ~15–30 min

👕 What to Wear — Summit Assault (Afternoon, ~2:30 PM)

Light and warm. You're leaving your heavy gear at camp.

Base layer + mid layer fleece + wind/shell jacket — summit wind is unpredictable and can be strong
Buff/balaclava — bring it even if it's not cold yet. On the exposed summit ridge, temperature and wind can change in minutes.
Gloves — summit standard. Pack them even if your hands are warm on the way up.
Light trekking pants
Leave in camp: Down jacket (keep it for the return when you stop moving), sleeping bag, heavy gear

📷 Camera — Summit (Afternoon)

Summit marker + wide landscape — first priority on arrival. 28mm, shoot the marker with the cloud sea behind. You've earned this shot.
360° panorama — the summit ridge allows a full panorama. Shoot a 5–7 frame sequence at 28mm for stitching later in Lightroom.
Cloud dynamics — afternoon clouds build and shift fast at 2,922m. Shoot continuously during movement — dramatic timelapse potential.
🚁 Drone — if DENR/guide confirms allowed, this is the primary drone moment. Afternoon light, full cloud sea below, summit ridge visible. Get the drone up fast — wind can close the window.
Sunset (optional, ~4:30–5:00 PM) — if you stay, position yourself on the western edge of the summit. Silhouette of your partner against the sunset sky on the summit is the hero shot of the trip.

Time	Activity	Notes
12:30–1:30 PM	Set up camp at Saddle Camp (2,815m)	Secure tents well — wind can be fierce
1:30–2:30 PM	Lunch and rest	Eat, hydrate, recover
~2:30–3:00 PM	🥾 SUMMIT ASSAULT	Light pack: camera, water, jacket, phone only
~3:00–3:15 PM	🏔️ SUMMIT! 2,922 MASL
3:15–4:30 PM	📷 Summit shoot + explore	See photo notes above
~4:30–5:00 PM	🌅 Sunset from the summit (optional)	15 min back to camp — can stay late
5:00–5:15 PM	Descend back to Saddle Camp

Saddle Camp — Evening (Camp 2)

👕 What to Wear — Saddle Camp Night (2,815m · 2–5°C · Possible −8°C)

This is the coldest night of the trip. The GPX puts you at 2,815m — recorded lows here reach −8°C in cold snaps.

Change immediately on return from summit:

Strip all sweat-damp layers off entirely
Full dry base layer top + bottom (non-negotiable at this altitude)
Mid layer fleece
Down jacket
Thick wool or fleece socks
Bonnet

For sleeping:

Everything listed above stays on inside the sleeping bag
Add gloves and balaclava/buff over your face
If your sleeping bag has a hood, cinch it tight — only your face exposed
Down jacket can go over the sleeping bag as an extra blanket if needed
Batteries (camera, drone, phone, Garmin) all inside the sleeping bag or jacket pocket against your body

If you wake up at 2AM shivering, add more layers immediately — don't wait it out. Broken sleep at altitude sets you up for a bad summit morning.

📷 Camera — Saddle Camp Night

Star field / Milky Way — at 2,815m, this is your best astrophotography window. Zero light pollution, high altitude = thinner atmosphere = more stars.
Settings starting point: 28mm, f/2.8 (widest), ISO 6400–12800, 15–20 sec (500 rule: 500÷28mm = ~17 sec max before star trails)
Foreground: tents with headlamp glow inside, summit silhouette, or your partner standing with a headlamp pointed up
Swap in a warm battery right before shooting — cold kills battery life at this temperature. Keep one battery in your jacket inner pocket all evening.
Pre-dawn setup: Set your camera settings the night before so you're not fumbling in the dark at −5°C

Time	Activity	Notes
5:15–6:00 PM	Change into completely dry layers	See clothing notes above — do this first
6:00–7:00 PM	Dinner	Eat everything. You need the calories.
7:00–7:30 PM	Prepare for pre-dawn summit	Set alarm 3:30–4:00 AM. Headlamp ready. All batteries in sleeping bag.
7:30–8:00 PM	📷 Milky Way window	See photo notes above
8:00 PM	💤 Lights out	Everything on. Cinch your sleeping bag hood.

🌄 Pre-Dawn Summit Return — HIGHLY Recommended

👕 What to Wear — Pre-Dawn Summit (~3:30–4:15 AM)

The coldest moment of the entire trip. It will be dark, windy, and potentially below 0°C.

Everything you own, in this order: Dry base layer top + bottom → mid layer fleece → down jacket → wind/shell jacket on top
Hands: Liner gloves + thicker outer gloves or mittens over them
Head: Balaclava or buff covering your face + bonnet on top
Neck: Buff if you have a second one
Feet: Thermal sock liner + thick trekking sock in your boots
Headlamp: On and tested. Spare batteries in jacket pocket.

You will feel overdressed once you start moving. That's correct. The summit is exposed and you'll stop moving when you reach the top to shoot — you need that buffer.

📷 Camera — Sunrise at Summit (THE Shot)

This is what you came for. Plan this like a shoot, not a hike.

Arrive 30–45 min before sunrise (~4:30–4:45 AM). Use the dark time to find your position and compose.
Blue hour (pre-dawn): Shoot the horizon gradient — deep blue sky to orange on the horizon, with the dark mountain silhouette. This light is often better than direct sunrise.
The sea of clouds: When the sun hits the clouds below the summit, they light up gold and pink from above. This is the iconic shot. Shoot wide (28mm) to capture the full scale, then zoom in (200mm) to isolate cloud textures.
Your partner silhouette against the sunrise: Position them on the edge of the summit ridge backlit by the rising sun. Classic, earned, powerful image.
Shoot in bursts: The clouds move fast at sunrise. Don't shoot a single frame — bracket exposures and shoot sequences.
Stay after sunrise: Golden hour light at 2,922m lasts 20–30 minutes. The grassland ridges in morning light on the descent back to Saddle Camp are also extraordinary.
🚁 Drone at sunrise — if conditions allow (check wind before launching), dawn at the summit is the definitive drone moment. Launch just as the light hits, before wind builds.

Time	Activity	Notes
3:30–4:00 AM	Wake up	Force yourself up. Full gear on.
4:00–4:15 AM	Hot drink, layer up completely	Swap warm camera battery from sleeping bag
~4:15 AM	🥾 Summit assault in the dark	Headlamp on. 15–30 min climb.
~4:30–4:45 AM	Arrive at summit — compose and wait	Find your spot. Set up.
~5:15–5:45 AM	🌅 SUNRISE AT MT. PULAG SUMMIT (2,922 MASL)	📷 See photo notes above
~6:00–6:30 AM	Head back to Saddle Camp	Shoot the grassland morning light on the way down

Day 3 — March 6 (Friday)

Descend & Return to Baguio

Saddle Camp → Ambangeg Descent → Babadak Ranger Station → Baguio

📍 Summit → Babadak Ranger Station (Ambangeg)

2,886m → 2,316m | Net: −571m | ↑ +101m / ↓ −671m | ~3.5–4 hrs
Note: +101m of re-gain is hidden in this descent — the Ambangeg trail has rolling sections.

👕 What to Wear — Day 3 Ambangeg Descent

You start cold at camp and warm significantly as you descend 570m.

Leaving camp (2,815m, cold): Full layers — base layer + fleece + jacket + gloves + bonnet. Same as summit night.
By ~2,600m (grassland): Gloves off, bonnet off, unzip jacket
By ~2,400m (forest re-entry): Jacket into the pack, trekking in fleece
By ~2,316m (Babadak): You'll likely be in just a t-shirt or light long-sleeve again

Knees: The Ambangeg descent is long and gradual — trekking poles help enormously on a 570m descent with tired legs and a full pack. Tighten boot laces to lock your heel and reduce hot spots.

📷 Camera — Day 3 Ambangeg Descent

Most hikers power-hike the descent to get to Baguio. Don't — there are shots here that almost nobody gets.

Summit Lookback (~2,842m) — marked on your Garmin GPX. About 15–20 min into the descent, turn around. The last clear view back to the Pulag summit ridge. Telephoto (100–200mm) compresses the distance beautifully.
Sea of clouds from above on descent — as you descend, the cloud sea is now beside and below you instead of above. The relationship between the trail, your figure, and the clouds shifts completely.
Ambangeg Open Ridgeline (~2,630m) — marked on your GPX. Wide open ridge with valley views on both sides. Most people don't stop here. 28mm wide captures the full expanse.
Morning light on pine forest (below ~2,400m) — the low-angle morning sun shafting through the Ambangeg pine forest is very different from the Akiki side. Shoot the light rays if you hit this section before ~9AM.

Time	Activity	Terrain	Notes
6:30–7:00 AM	Return to Saddle Camp from summit
7:00–7:30 AM	Breakfast at camp (2,815m)		Last mountain meal
7:30–8:00 AM	Break camp, pack everything		Leave no trace
~8:00 AM	🥾 Start descent via Ambangeg Trail	Grassland, well-maintained	Much easier than Akiki
8:00–9:00 AM	Grassland section (~2,815–2,650m)	Gentle downhill	📷 Summit lookback + sea of clouds
9:00–10:00 AM	Pass through Camp 2 Ambangeg (~2,650–2,500m)	Mossy/dwarf bamboo forest	Steady descent, some muddy sections
~10:00–10:30 AM	Short rest break (~2,500m)		Snack, water, stretch
10:30–11:30 AM	Continue descent past Camp 1 (~2,500–2,400m)	Pine forest	Trekking poles essential — your knees will feel this
~11:30 AM–12:00 PM	Arrive at Babadak Ranger Station (2,316m)	End of trail	~3.5–4 hrs from Saddle Camp

Ranger Station → Baguio

Time	Activity	Notes
12:00–12:30 PM	Register out, settle fees	Wash up at ranger station
12:30–1:00 PM	Lunch near ranger station	You've earned a real meal
1:00–1:30 PM	Board jeepney/van back to Baguio
1:30–4:00 PM	Travel back to Baguio	Bonamine if needed
~4:00–4:30 PM	Arrive in Baguio	Check in to accommodation
4:30 PM onwards	Shower, rest, celebrate 🎉
Evening	Dinner — you deserve a feast	Session Road

⏱️ Trek Time & Elevation Summary

Segment	Day	Est. Time	Start	End	Net	↑ Gain	↓ Loss
Ranger Station → Eddet River	Day 1	2–2.5 hrs	1,314m	1,265m	−49m	+178m	−227m
Eddet River → Marlboro Country	Day 1	3.5–4 hrs	1,265m	2,170m	+905m	+905m	0m
Marlboro Country → Mossy Forest	Day 2	1.5–2 hrs	2,170m	2,389m	+219m	+219m	0m
Mossy Forest → Grassland	Day 2	2–2.5 hrs	2,389m	2,584m	+195m	+195m	0m
Grassland → Saddle Camp	Day 2	1 hr	2,584m	2,815m	+231m	+287m	−56m
Saddle Camp → Summit	Day 2	15–30 min	2,815m	2,922m	+107m	+71m	0m
Summit → Babadak (Ambangeg)	Day 3	3.5–4 hrs	2,886m	2,316m	−571m	+101m	−671m
TOTAL		~14–15 hrs				↑ 1,956m	↓ 955m

Elevation data from your Strava GPX file (17 km route).

🧠 Key Reminders

🦶

Pacing

The #1 mistake on Akiki is starting too fast. 905m of climbing comes after the easy descent to Eddet River — save your legs.

💧

Hydration

Small sips every 15–20 minutes. At altitude you lose moisture through breathing faster than you feel thirst.

🧥

Cold Management

Change into dry base layers immediately at both camps. Damp clothing against your skin overnight at altitude is how people end up hypothermic. Never sleep in what you hiked in.

🔋

Camera Batteries

Cold kills batteries 2–3x faster than normal. Sleep with them. Swap a warm battery in right before shooting sunrise.

🔦

Headlamp

Mandatory for the pre-dawn summit assault. Test the night before. Spare batteries in jacket pocket.

🚁

Drone

Only fly with DENR/guide confirmation. Best windows: summit afternoon or pre-dawn sunrise. Check wind before launching — gusts at the summit can be severe.