MT TABAYOC

taken in Apr 2008, this is probably the first photograph of the summit of Mt Tabayoc
made available on the internet

Mt TABAYOC (9320+ fasl), the second highest mountain in Luzon goes by two other names Tabayac and Tabeyoc. But local mountaineers have come to call it Tabayoc. And we refer to the lake fronting it as Tabeo. But my guide Santiago still calls it (the lake) Tabayo. This is the thickest and lushest rainforest I have ever delved into. The moist moss-covered trunks of the bonsai trees that cover the mountain will remind you of Avatar. The clean trail is clearer now compared to what it was in 2006 when I first attempted to penetrate the mountain.

Mt Tabayoc has a convenient access point at Ballay, Kabayan, Benguet. It may also be accessed via Tinoc, Ifugao. But you’ll still have to go through Ballay. It is best to climb the mountain early in the morning as the rain starts to pour at noon! Only few get to see the breath-taking sea of clouds at the top. According to my guide, most of his guests either reach the summit at night or in the misty midday.

taken on Apr 27, 2011 (now with the view deck)

Mt Tabayoc is still part of Mt Pulag National Park under the supervision of Emerita Tamiray, the park superintendent. There is a little settlement at the jump-off point around the lake. The houses have increased in number and are now more colorful! This increase in population threatens the pristine condition of Mt Tabayoc in that the farmers have started to encroach upon the bonsai hill. I saw a vegetable garden slopped along the side of the hill resembling the terraces of Batad. I’m not focusing on the beauty of the terraces but on the impending doom of the once untouched rainforest of Mt Tabayoc. There is an ongoing case between Mt Pulag National Park management and the settlers near the lake. The park authorities have been pushing for the eviction of those settlers in the national park who are also fighting for their rights over the land they consider their ancestral domain. The conflict has not yet been resolved up to research time.

In the vicinity of Mt Tabayoc are Jr Pulag and the four lakes (Tabeo, Incolos, Letep-ngapos and Ambulalacao). They are not necessarily pronounced the way they are spelled. The three lakes and Jr Pulag are chained together by one trail. They are almost always shrouded by the mist. I hope to explore them on a clear day someday.

Lake Letep-ngapos

When you are ever in Ballay, don’t rush! Take some time to see the beauty of the place. Most visitors go there just to scale the second highest mountain in Luzon. Try exploring the three other lakes and you’ll be mystified! And although my guide Santiago may not be the most virtuous person to deal with, spending a day or two at his home with his wonderful family always makes my journey in Ballay perfect.

there's nothing more memorable than communing with the locals

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Saturday)
0200hrs	ETD for Baguio City (Victory Liner Pasay/Cubao/Caloocan)
0800hrs	ETA Baguio City Breakfast Take a cab to ‘Slaughter House’ terminal (~10mins from Session Rd)
1000hrs	Take the lone trip to Ballay (the sign reads Kabayan) (A-Liner bus)
1300hrs	The bus loads and unloads passengers at Ambangeg
1430hrs	The bus loads and unloads passengers at Kabayan Central
1600hrs	ETA Ballay, Kabayan Meet the guide Log in at the CAFGU station Final buys (limited choices of liquor)
1630hrs	Start trek to Lake Tabeo
1800hrs	ETA Lake Tabeo camp site Pitch tents reasonably away from the lake. If it rains, the lake could swallow your tents! Prepare dinner (you may ask for water at one of the houses there, there are also a couple of stores that sell stuff like toothpaste, soap, cooking oil etc. but not liquor) Dinner; Socials
2100hrs	Lights out The night is freezing!
Day 2 (Sunday)
0400hrs	Quick breakfast (noodles; coffee)
0430hrs	Head for the summit. Carry only an assault pack with water and some snacks.
0600hrs	ETA Summit Take pictures
0630hrs	Start descent to camp site. Breakfast
0800hrs	Break camp. Leave stuff at one of the houses.
0830hrs	Start trek to the three lakes and Jr Pulag. Carry only assault pack, water and snacks. You may also carry a raincoat (in case it rains) or a jacket (you might not be able to stand the cold in the three lakes). Minimize noise when exploring the three lakes!
0845hrs	ETA entry point to Jr Pulag (marked by a spring)
0900hrs	ETA Jr Pulag Take pictures
0915hrs	ETA Lake Incolos Take pictures
0930hrs	ETA Lake Letep-ngapos Take pictures
1000hrs	ETA Ambulalacao Take pictures
1045hrs	ETA Tabeo camp site
1100hrs	Start trek to the guide’s place
1200hrs	ETA guide’s place Wash up. Charge your phones and cameras. Relax and unwind
1800hrs	Prepare dinner
1900hrs	Dinner, Socials
2300hrs	Lights out
Day 3 (Monday)
0500hrs	Wake up call Breakfast
0600hrs	Start trek to the bus station (there’s only one bust trip to Baguio City and it leaves at 0700hrs SHARP)
0700hrs	The bus leaves for Baguio City You may have your lunch at one of the stopovers or you may wait until you get to Baguio at around 1300hrs
1300hrs	ETA Baguio City Lunch
1400hrs	Shop for some pasalubong
1500hrs	ETD for Manila
2130hrs	ETA Manila

Getting there and away (other options)

1.       From Baguio City, you can take any bus (going to Bontoc or Sagada) that goes through Halsema Highway. Get off at KM 55. Climb up Mt Timbak (2-4hrs). Trek down (traverse) to Kabayan Barrio. The A-Liner bus (going to Ballay) passes by Kabayan Barrio at around 2pm.

2.       You may also take the same buses that ply the Baguio – Bontoc route (via Halsema) and get off at Abatan, Buguias, Benguet (2.5hrs). Then take the jeepney from Abatan to Ballay (2-3hrs) (Tue/Thurs/Fri/Sat 12nn). The same jeepney goes to Abatan from Ballay on the same days at 7am.

3.       If you’re coming from Banaue, take the jeepney going to Tinoc and then trek to Ballay (~5hrs)

Expenses

Manila-Baguio v.v. (P455 x 2)	P910
Baguio – Ballay (P141 x 2)	P282
Taxi fare to Slaughter House terminal	P30
Camping fee	P50
Guide fee (Tabayoc) P600 / 1-3pax…P1000 / 4-7pax	~P200
Guide fee (4 lakes) P500 / 1-7pax	~P100
Total	P1572
Safe budget Manila-Tabayoc-Manila	P2500

Contact numbers

Park Ranger (Arlan). He can also assign guides to you	0912 889 8232
Guide (Santiago)	0910 752 2655

track logs according to my Garmin Map60CSx

Altitude profile of my trek from Lake Tabeo campsite to Mt Tabayoc Summit