Mt. Damas | Ubod Falls

daniellecuaresma
Jan 20, 2015
5 min read

It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop. - Confucius

This quote could be the best line that will describe our assault to Mt. Damas. Although I've read a couple of articles online about the mountain, I didn't expect it to be that difficult. Everybody in our group started the year with what we call a 'minor climb'. Kidding aside, of course, everyone enjoyed the trail and surely all of us will be back there (lol).

The climb was organized by BaseKamp Market! Market branch and was headed by the branch manager, Mr. Greg Galicia. They're very nice and accommodating to their participants. I will definitely join them again next time.

Anyway, we assembled in Victory Bus Terminal Cubao at around 2:30 am then left at 3:00 am. We arrived in Camiling, Tarlac where we had our breakfast at around 7:00 am then we waited for the chartered jeepney to arrive.

Before boarding the jeepney

We left Camiling at 8:00 am then we arrived at the jump-off in Brgy. Papaac at around 9:00am and prepared ourselves and our stuff, did some stretching, and had power rest. We started the trek at 10:00am.

Jump-off

Daddy bag, Baby bag, Mommy bag (lol)

Start of the trail

At first, the trail was nice and flat. But of course, we wouldn't reach the summit if the trail was all nice and flat. Of course, we had a little steep path in the beginning.

We passed by a nice spot where we had our lunch and rested for quite a long time. Some of us slept while some of us had chit-chats with each other.

We were supposed to get porters for our bags but failed to get one but when we got lost somewhere in the trail, we're led to the Dueg Community and we were able to get some porters and guide.

It took us at least an hour to get back to the right trail. The trail was really challenging because we had to descend and it was a really difficult one because the trail was kinda slippery (not muddy) and you have nothing to grab on to except for the tall grasses which I kinda despise because I grabbed on the wrong grass (it has thorns) and got my hands a bit blistered but I'm still thankful for them anyway (lol).

We passed by some river where we freshen up a bit and had a little rest. Some of us dipped their selves to the water.

Credits to Krizia Doneza

After god-knows-how-many-hours-that-descend-was, we finally reached the summit. Before reaching the summit, we saw a very breathtaking sunset. It was indeed 'breathtaking' because it took away all our exhaustion and stress from the trek. It was a really rewarding scene. All of us were focused in the sky, watched the pink sunset turned into orange and red.

After watching the beautiful sunset, we pitched our '5 billion stars' hotel, also known as 'tents' and had a nap before we had our dinner. Sir Godo, the best mountaineer cook (wow~), made pork sinigang and cooked crab and corn soup. After dinner, we had drinking session. Well, I didn't join because I went to sleep after having dinner.

We woke up at around 6:00am, had our breakfast, fixed our stuff, and then headed to the summit.

Mt. Damas Summit (Credits to JB Montes)

Group photo before we left the summit

We started to trek down to the Ubod Falls at around 8:00am. Again, the trail was steep and slippery. We came to a path where we had to use ropes for support. Then we reached Si-El falls and took a rest for a while.

After passing by the Si-El Falls, we resumed river crossing to Ubod Falls. We passed by a couple of little falls after finally reaching Ubod Falls.

Credits to JB Montes

Some of us refilled their water supply in the falls, some of us swam, while some of us just sat and watched the others and enjoyed the view of the falls (what I did, lol). We had a long rest there and had the time to sleep and recharge. We had our lunch at around 12:00pm then had another rest. We packed our stuff and left the falls at around 3:00pm. We were asked by Sir Greg about which trail we want to take, either the 'Cardiac Trail' or the River Trail. The name already suggest that the 'Cardiac Trail' is the harder one so I chose the River Trail (lol).

Although the River Trail is the easier one, it didn't seem too easy. We had to do rock climbing to pass a small falls. The rock wall may seem easy to climb but once you're at it, you'll get all shaky and nervous. We waited for the ropes to be placed so we would have something for support then we passed by the small falls and resumed river crossing. It took us about 2 hours until we reached the mountain trail then it took us another hour or two until we reached the jump-off.

On our way to the jump-off, we saw double rainbows or a secondary rainbow. It was a stunning view. Like the sunset, it took away all our stress and worries. ;)

We also passed by a small community where we saw cute kids playing outside.

We finally reached the jump-off then cleaned ourselves up, had snacks and rest before we boarded the jeepney. We left Brgy. Papaac at around 7:00pm. We arrived in Camiling at 8:00pm and had our dinner there. We were supposed to be fetched by a bus but unfortunately, the bus didn't came so we had to ride the jeepney again going to Siesta Bus Terminal then rode a bus going to Cubao at around 9:00pm then we reached Manila at roughly 11:30pm. I got home at about 12:00am.

I must say that this is my most challenging climb so far. I enjoyed the trip, the trail, and of course the people I was with. I wouldn't appreciate the climb if it weren't for those happy people. Mt. Damas may not be recommended for first-timers but it would be a great experience.

This mountain tested my endurance, patience, and mostly my physical state. I was literally talking to myself (in my head, of course lol) asking 'why am I doing this again?' and to be honest I have yet to answer that question because I still don't know. All I thought throughout the trail is I have to finish this because I want to reward myself with something priceless.

It is true that you will get to know yourself more in the mountains because you have to focus in the trail, you get to talk to yourself (just like what I did) and ask yourself questions about how well do you know yourself.

But of course, we all have our own ways towards self-discovery but I suggest you try mountain climbing. I swear you will learn to appreciate the smallest things.