Norly Nening Tapulao Mountain Guide Mount Tapulao, known among hikers as the "Die Hike," is infamous for its grueling challenges. Spanning a 32-km back trail, it is the tallest peak in Central Luzon and a magnet for thrill-seekers and adventurers. The rocky and muddy path proves challenging even for seasoned climbers. I admit I didn’t do much research before this hike, aside from knowing it was the highest mountain in Central Luzon. I chose it partly because the cooler climate was more appealing compared to the typically scorching open trails of Zambales. I managed to summit the peak during this day hike, but descending proved to be a different story. I slipped multiple times on the rain-soaked, clay-like soil, losing my balance again and again. Thankfully, our guide, Norly Nening, was there to assist us, ensuring we safely navigated our way down this formidable mountain. One of the things I love ab...
"The danger of an adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort." —Paulo Coelho Since I don't have work on Monday and Tuesday, I decided to take a hike to clear my mind and evaluate where I am in life. I chose to hike Mt. Tapulao, located in Palauig and part of the Zambales mountain range. The hike started at 4:00 AM, with a beautiful sky in the background. The first 3 kilometers of the 18-kilometer hike to the summit (36 kilometers in total, since this is a back trail ) are on an asphalt road that was previously a dirt road. During these first 3 kilometers, I was faster than my co-hikers, but I couldn't keep up with the first guide and the leading hiker. I found myself walking alone on a dark road, reflecting on many things while being wary of cars that could hit me. After 3 kilometers, the end of the asphalt road revealed the West Philippine Sea in the background, where I could spot Chinese ships. This made me think about how close the disputed territorie...