Mt. Napulauan Back Trail “Million-Dollar Mountain”
Hungduan, Ifugao
Major jump-offs: Poblacion and Brgy. Hapao, Hungduan
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 7/9,
Limatik is always present here.
Features : Mossy Forest
Mt. Napulauan located in the municipality of Hungduan, and towering at 2,642 MASL, Mt. Napulauan, or Napulawan as the locals spell it (either way is correct), is the country’s 15th highest mountain in the Philippines.
The Mt. Napaluauan was trail the combination of all assault trails I hike so far this is one the most unpredictable mountain so far. It was 12 pm in the afternoon the Sun was so bright and clear but unfortunately rain pours. The trail going to the campsite literally cardiac assault. “ Keep on asking myself hanggang kelan to assault na to “
It also well-known mountain in Hungduan, Ifugao is also shrouded in a mystique that makes it more enticing for adventurous tourists. The locals believe that the summit of the mountain is enchanted and protected by fairies. According to the one website I read Mt. Napulauan peak has served as refuge for both defenders of Philippine soil and invaders from the imperial Japanese army. General Emilio Aguinaldo, who fought to free the Philippines from Spanish and American colonizers, sheltered his troops in the mountain’s mossy forest. The hidden valleys of this majestic mountain were also used by General Tomoyuki Yamashita, a Japanese General who was infamous as the “Tiger of Malaya.” General Yamashita used the region for the last stand against the Filipino and American forces. Rumors also suggest that the Japanese general buried vast amounts of plunder treasure in the surrounding area.
It was called as Million dollar Mountain dahil sa bundok daw na ito ang huling kuta ni Gen. Yamashita bago matapos ang gera at sinasabing dito din nakatago ang mga kayamanan nya. Madami ding butas sa trail.Malalalim daw iyon dahil doon nagtatago ang mga tao noon para hindi makita ng mga Sundalong Hapon.
The mossy forest here can be also compared to the Harry Potter forbidden forest well it maybe not look like the mossy forest of Mt. Kamamasam but it’s one of the most beautiful mossy forest so far.
Mt. Napulauan, as with other mountains in the Philippines, proved to have some unseen supernatural forces lurking within. I had a very uncanny feeling. Like what “ bakit parang kanina galing na kami dito tapos nandito na naman kami. I also saw a lady with a white dress I keep on pretending that I didn’t see her. I just ask my friend to keep going, but the trail like a never ending assault. When the rain pours we started feels the cold ambiance it was cold night not like my overnight in Mt. Pulag and Mt. kamamasam so far Mt. Napulauan was the coldest. It was nearing dark when we burst out of the forest and into the false campsite. Every time we saw something that has a ‘Liwanag” we always thought that it was the campsite. After 6 hours of trekking finally we reached the campsite with trembling due of cold weather. Me and kuya Kel decided to take a nap. But when we go outside to take the dinner, I saw her again the lady in white at first I thought it was my co- hiker because she wearing a white shirt that time. But I keep I got confused why the hell she is on the other side of out the tent when basically I was dead end and there no trail. I just keep on praying. After we ate, we decided to sleep. Then I think it was 2:45 am I heard a footstep outside our tent which is on the side where I saw the Lady in white. I just pray in silence so that I cannot disturb my co- hikers. It was an intense and scary experience.
The photogenic view paid off very well for the hardships of the day before. We may not see the sun rise, but Mt. Napuluan give us clearing which is rare. I’m going to use lesser words to describe the magnificent beauty we saw. It was “Magical”.
At 10.15am we decided to go back to the jump off. So far hindi pa din tumigil yun ulan sobrang dulas ng daan. But thank you nakababa kami with my team ng 1.15pm. And waiting for the others na lang.
This mountain gives me a dose of unexplainable feeling. I really want to go back here witness the sunrise and the most beautiful clearing. See you soon Amica Mea 💕💕💕💕
Shout out to my GF Irish who are so hands on to us Kudos Gf more more organize event hahaha. Thank you so much for this climb. Pero ilang overnight na tayo ha wala pa din tayong matinong picture ano na. Be Albert, thank you for taking care of me on my wasted look “ Susuka pero hahabaol pa din.
Mountaineering 