Tirad Pass Adventure - Itinerary and Expenses

Tirad Pass

Gregorio Del Pilar, Ilocos Sur

The last stand of Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar, known as The Battle of Tirad Pass happened in December 02, 1899. Where he leads 60-man Filipino rear guard to battle and delay the Americans to cover Aguinaldo's retreat. 

Day 0

We gather at Greenfield district and schedule on time 10:00 pm we departed and pick up our friends along the way to Quezon City.

Day 1

St. John De Sahagun Parish Church

Past 3:30 am we have arrive in Candon City, thanks to our van driver kuya Samuel a good and smooth driver (hindi pa kadyot-kadyot) we had a good sleep on the road.

After mag breakfast sa McDonald's, habang hinihintay yung rented jeep namin, namalengke na kame for our dinner and day 2 breakfast.

Mentioning our pulutan Bagnet sponsored by Jep.

Exactly 7:30 am na kame nakaalis ng Candon City at hindi naman kame nagmamadali.

A roughly 2 hour jeep ride bound to Gregorio Del Pilar town kung saan mag courtesy kame sa Police station to register at mag merienda?

Buy 1 take 1 Hamburger w/ egg 35 Php

Happy kiddos

Fishball-Kikiam

9:40 am

We start trek..

As expected the trail is very establish, straight forward and good for historical tour.

Jen and me at the sign post

At the cave
Jep, Sam-Yang, Cabu, Jen, Me

One of the many Kubo along the trail with Yang, Cabu and Sam the lead pak!

Jep C our kind sweeper

View at one of the kubo, mountains of Ilocos Sur

Almost 12:00 noon we arrive sa campsite kung nasaan din ang GDP shrine.

Cabu, Sam, Jep, Yang and Marvin at the campsite

At dahil may nauna nang 1 big group at almost occupied na lahat ng space I suggested na sa baba nalang kame mag pitch ng tent the rest of us.

After we had a good 3-in-1 coffee and hamburger lunch from poblacion, free time na!
Kanya-kanyang trip, Cheska and Doris natulog, me and Jen naligo at chill sa tent the rest yung nasa campsite nag luto na ng bagnet at sinimulan na ang walwalan, kaya yun isang katao dun eh talaga naman nawasak!

Jen and me having saging na saba and cofee.
(Photo © Marvin)

That afternoon nag fog na, 

5:00 pm we start preparing our dinner Maling, Sopas at Bagnet. Naging mas extra sarap ang maling dahil ipinrito sa mantika ng bagnet!

The Walwal night w/
Sam-Yang, Doris, Cheska, Marvin, Cabu, Jen, Jep and Me

We had a good socials, kwentuhan, bilangan ng naakyat na bundok, yung may sumasayaw na, anu-ano na sinasabi, good thing wala namang nag tawag ng uwakk!

Forgot na what time kame natapos, pero 2:00 am ang wake up call namin.
Nagcoffee and light breakfast lang kame and we start trek around 3:00 am.

Around 5:30 am we reach the shoulder of the Tirad Peak.

View from the shoulder, the air is cold

Some part of Quirino province

Behind me is the highest point in Tirad Pass

Partial sea of clouds

Jen with a good view

Cheska, Doris and Jen

Group picture!

Ms. Cabu - Ang isa sa tatlong pinagpala na maka akyat sa Tirad Peak.

Team Ugo - Doris and Cheska

Mga hindi masyadong pinagpala :D

7:30 am we start descend and photos below is the trail back to campsite.

One of the river crossing with rappelling 

The park is closed in rainy season due to multiple river crossing to avoid alam nyo na.

Team Hindi Masyadong Pinagpala

Jennelyn :*

Viewing deck where GDP fall

Around 10:00 am we're back at the campsite.
Mabuti nalang yun mga pinagpala dahil mabibilis sila nakapag prepare na ng totoong breakfast meal fried rice, salted egg with mangga at special longganisa na ipinrito parin sa mantika ng bagnet!

Group picture before we leave this memorable pass.
Jep, Doris, Sam,Yang, Cheska, Cabu, Me, Jen, Marvin

Other photos... :)

I-KMJS mo na yan drone shot!

At Bago Resort

Side trip! Miming time :)

The site where Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar fell.

Doris and Marvin enjoying the pool while its raining

Our last stop at Chowking Candon City, bago umuwi.

All in all masaya, maganda ang park at views, iba talaga kapag tunay adventurous ang mga kasama they are all down to earth, madaling maka appreciate in many ways. We're definitely going back for a revenge climb.

Short MV by Marvin Aguilar

Planned Itinerary: 

Day 0
10:00PM – Meet up Greenfield
11:00PM – Depart to Candon City, Ilocos Sur

Day 1
06:00 AM – Arrival Candon Town Proper (Breakfast in Macdo)
07:00 AM – Buy foods at market
08:00 AM – Departure via Chartered Jeep.
10:00 AM – Arrive Poblacion, G. Del Pilar town hall (Register)
11:00 AM – Start Trek
02:00 PM – Arrival Campsite (Tirad Pass)
FREE TIME and try summit for sunset if possible

Day 2
03:00 AM - Wake up (Breakfast)
04:00 AM - Start trek to Tirad Peak
07:00 AM - Arrival summit
08:00 AM - Start descend
11:00 AM - Arrival campsite (Break camp)
02:00 PM - Arrival jumpoff (Washup, ride chartered jeep)
05:00 PM - Arrival Candon town proper
12:00 MN - M A N I L A


Expenses:

Php 13,000 - Rented Van (Manila-Candon-Manila)
Php 5,000 - Rented jeep (Candon-Gregorio Del Pilar-Candon)
Php 600/day - Guide
Php 200/day - Porter
Php 50 - Registration fee


Contacts:

GDP Tourism - 0917 519 8803 (Make sure coordinate first with the tourism office prior to your event.)
Van / Driver -  0917 487 3568 Sir Samuel (Very recommended driver, maayos mag drive at mabait.)
Guide / Porter - 0935 216 4002

Thank you for reading :)