Mount Tapulao — Local services in Zambales

The Epic 14.5-Hour Hike: A Zombie's Tale

I started bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 5:31 AM, ready to conquer the trail! Burger-fueled and gummy-bear-energized, I thought, "Bring it on!"

Little did I know, the mountain had other plans:

Thunderstorms? Check! Muddy, slippery, and rocky trails? Check! 80% assault (aka, near-vertical climbing)? Check! Hardest hike of the year? Double-check!

As the hours ticked by (and my snacks disappeared), I transformed from a cheerful hiker to a zombie stumbling through the wilderness.

My trusty Hike Starter Pack? Depleted. Burger: gone. Gummy bears: devoured. Sting energy drink: gulped. Pocari and water: sipped. Chocolate and peanuts? Crunch time!

But the ultimate test? Limatik todamax (a.k.a. leeches galore!) and slippery trail!

After 14.5 grueling hours, I stumbled back at 8:33 PM, resembling the undead. Body pain? 101%!

Lesson learned: never underestimate a major hike. But hey, at least I earned...

Climb this mountain for a day hike, but come prepared - this trail spans a total of 36km (back trail) and features rocky paths and steep ascents that will test you both physically and mentally. We hiked this mountain during the rainy season, which made the trail even more challenging as water rushed down the path, making it muddy and extremely slippery. Take note that limatik are common during this season, so expect to get bitten. Overall, this is a tough and demanding hike, not recommended for beginners. However, it’s incredibly satisfying once you finish the hike.

Note: You can actually start the hike 3km ahead of the official jump-off point, as there is an access road where vehicles, can take you closer to the starting trail. Additionally, upon descent, habal-habal are available at the 7-Eleven (store), which can provide convenient transportation back, specially helpful after a long and...

Be sure to have ample preparations physically before you make the hike, else it may cause you injuries.

Be sure to take 2-3L of water, because the nearest water source is in Kilometer (Km)5; When ascending in rainy seasons, be sure to waterproof your bag, and bring ponchos and umbrellas; Also, be wary of Limatik (Leeches), they are especially active on rainy days; Wear leggings and socks if possible; Bring extra packed meals; It can get really slippery, so bring an extra shoes or sandals; and lastly,

Your safety is the top concern, if you really think that you can no longer make it to the summit, inform...