I couldn’t recall what time our guide arrived at our guesthouse in Sagada. We needed to be up early so we could prepare for the sunrise at Kiltepan Peak. Coming from our crazy toploading ride from Banaue to Bontoc and even if one is never too old for a cave connection adventure, I still wanted to get some sleep due to these tiresome activities.
It was chilly that I wanted to continue wrapping myself with a blanket and get a few more minutes of slumber. But my friends were already up and it would be embarrassing if I were to stay behind.
Sagada Trip: Kiltepan Peak Sunrise
March 5, 2011
hitching a ride on a smaller vehicle
Riding a truck heading to Kiltepan Peak, we halted somewhere along the way as we were stuck in the mud. The vehicle was too big and no matter how hard the driver stepped on the gear, it still wouldn’t budge. Fortunately, a smaller jeep passed by and we joined other passengers on the way to the site.
We still couldn’t see anything though.
mist
Waiting for the Sun
We arrived around 5:45am, freezing from the climate. A couple of companions brought out the blankets they took from our room which were perfect to cover themselves from the cold. I had my malongwith me which pretty much sufficed.
covered with James, Carla, Doi & Tofi
Unfortunately, just like our side trip to Banaue NO Rice Terraces, the sun was hiding from the fogs and the clouds.
I’ve seen a photo with a view of the Kiltepan Rice Terraces which would’ve been awesome if the weather cleared up. Click here for the sample photo: Kiltepan Rice Terraces
covered in fog
We were forewarned that situations like these happen especially when it’s early in the morning. Nevertheless, we didn’t complain as it was still beautiful how the mass of water particles in air danced with the hills and how the sun’s rays peeked over the horizon.
a little sun
Took My Shirt Off at Kiltepan Peak
I got a bit bored so I did the unthinkable and took of my shirt off. I figured I might as well do something crazy while I’m out here. I exerted too much effort covering myself that I made a spur-of-the-moment decision and pranced around half-naked to battle the cold.
skinny Jacob Black? NOT!
My friends already understood my attention deficit tendencies so they didn’t really mind as much. I remember that I got a few wondering stares from other tourists who were also there to wait for the sunrise.
looking for a good angle
With pine trees as a backdrop, you can’t help but compare the movie with Twilight. Good thing I’m a human callus and somehow, the freezing temperature became bearable.
Still to no success, the air didn’t clear up. It was already daylight and we had to go back to get some rest.
group shot
I know that after the things we did in Sagada, I was going to treat myself on a spa day gift and buy one of those spa gift certificates in group buying sites. At least it would still be cheaper so I can treat myself to some pampering.
At 6:45am, we proceeded to taking a last group photo before we headed back to our guesthouse.
still no view
When you have nothing to kill but time, and when you’ve watched too many Jackass shows on MTV, you try your best to make a fool of yourself. So pardon my lack of prudence as I was bored.
Useful Tips:
You can check out VisitSagada.com for directions to Sagada.
Also, visit the SAGGAS – Sagada Genuine Guides – Kiltepan Peak.
Check out my other blog articles about my Sagada adventure trip here:
- Sagada Trip and The Movies
- Sagada Trip: Side Trip to Banaue NO Rice Terraces
- Sagada Trip: Crazy Toploading from Banaue to Bontoc
- Sagada Trip: Never Too Old for a Cave Connection Adventure
- Sagada Trip: Kiltepan Peak Sunrise
- Sagada Trip: Trekking Aguid Rice Terraces
- Sagada Trip: Slipped and Hit My Head on a Rock in Bomod-ok Falls
- Sagada Trip: Weekend Saturday Market
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soloflightEd.com is a travel blog by Edcel Suyo. He enjoys performing headstands and crazy stunts during his trips in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Now based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and working to earn a living, he takes time to enjoy the city and travel during weekends.
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For questions, advertising, and other concerns, shoot an email to ed@soloflighted.com.
freezing cold! astig ang topless shot! napulmonya ka after Ed? =)
what.. no headstand in Kiltepan? hehe.. wish ko lang magpakita ang sunset sa amin..
@ivan sunrise ang abangan natin sa Kiltepan =)
@ed di ka naman nagkasakit pagkatapos? haha
Ed o pa-pampam talaga. =)) Kidding.
Mukhang mahirap mahuli ang sunrise sa Kiltepan Peak ah. Wala pa ako masyadong nakikitang bloggers na naaabutan yun eh.
@chyng: adik eh. hahaha. wala naman. naligo kami sa Bomod-ok after 🙂
@batang lakwatsero: di pwede mag headstand baka disgrasya ang mangyayarai. Had one sa cave connection though. sunset sa inyo? pwede rin! 😀
@supertikoy: lol, nagugugluhan na ako kung sunrise or sunset. haha. basta may sun! 😀 di naman ako nagkasakit. hehe.
@robbie: ano pampam rob? hehe. yeah, if the weather clears us up the night before, most likely may sunrise ;D
Kuyawa uy! Kung naa ko dira, for sure 3-4 layers ka damit akong gipangsuot!!!
Oooooh…that title is one sure way to rock your stats! 1,000 hits in 1 hour na ba? LOL! Pero wala bang frontal shot?Hahaha!
@renz: haha. walay lingaw lang didto. kapoy sige paabot sa adlaw. hehe
@AJ: oh no, no frontal shots. I'm shy. haha. lemme change the title instead. I think it grabbed too much attention when it was not my main intention! hehe I feel like I'm exposing myself too much. toinks. 😀
Nooooooo…the original title rocks! 😉 How about this: The Topless Soloflighter? Oooooh…that will send your hits off the charts! 🙂 But hey, I know you're shy and decent so carrybells na din ang shortened title. :p
@AJ: hahaha. decent pa naman kahit papano. hahaha. thanks though for the comment. paano na lang yung 'value' na minemaintain natin. toinks. hehe
tapang mo Ed, kasi ako tinitingnan palang mga pics mukhang ang ginaw na… though you didn't saw the sunrise and foggy all over at least you got a nice last shot as if saying "I survive the coldness of Kiltepan Peak!" Perfect caption.
Isang keyword lang ang rason kung bakit ako napadpad dito (topless) 🙂 We'll be looking forward to more headstands and topless shots in your upcoming RTW!
@ian: wala lang akong magawa. haha. indeed. galing ng caption ah! 😀
@lakwatsera de primera: hahahaha! headstands na lang. SEA lang ako mapapadpad banda claire. hehe. hope to meet you somewhere! 😀
Nasaan ang topless pic!? Nubayan, walang kwenta! =))
Sabihan mo ako kung biglang spike ng traffic mo dito sa post na 'to ha. =))
ikaw na ang hubadero.. hahaha! oo nga. pwede ka na sa jackass. lakas ng trip. =)
i was with the author of visitsagada.com when i visited kiltipan. the early morning walk is very much worth it. sarap balikan yan.
@micamyx: haha.walang topless jan. lol. i changed the title na kasi misleading. toinks.
@kura: wahahaha. walang magawa eh. hehehe. ayoko lang yung papakainin ka ng dumi or ewan. basta ayokong masyadong gross yung mga pinapagawa. hehe.
@lawstude: I'd like to go back at pupunta mga lunch time na para makikita talaga ang terraces ng kiltipan.
hubaran talaga ed? next time, try wearing a winter outfit sa beach!
getting crazy on the road is really cathartic and liberating!
<light bulb> you gave me an idea!
@RON: you have a different kind of crazy going on for you. haha. but yeah, I agree. we become more aggressive and liberated when we're not at home. anong idea yan?
awesome! i havent been to sagada and im planning on going there soon pag may enough money na ako. good job with the half naked thingie, i would have done the same thing. hehe. i remember when we were at the summit of mt. tapulao in zambales and i was taking a bath completely naked from a spring water flowing in the mountain late at night and the temperature was freezing cold and i was there shouting and screaming "im the king of the world". call me crazy but it was a lot of fun! thank you for visiting my blog. it was really an honor.
i wanted to see Kiltepan at sunrise when i visited Sagada alone back in 2009 but my ankle was sprained kaya d na ako nakapunta. that's one reason why I want to go back to Sagada plus the Big Falls. uhmm..topless!? u have topless shots in Palaui and i think that's hotter, post it here and see a sudden spike in your traffic! haha but i love you more when you're conservative. 🙂
@asiong32: haha, you also watched jackass shows, these guys do crazy things! no worries, I try my best to visit blogs when I have the time. 😀
@thepinaysolobackpacker: sayang ang sprained ankle, we didn't trek which helped to visit the place in a shorter time rather than trekking. wahahaha, it's ok gael, i think the blogosphere has had enough skin showing in this site. thanks for the comment! 😀
Hahaha. Your last paragraph made me laugh. I have an officemate who loves watching Jackass and it's our default topic during lull times on meetings.
Cool photos!!! 🙂
@Rizalenio: haha. lull moments, Jackass moments. Those guys are crazy! haha. thanks! 😀
I was in Sagada only for a day and I also missed the sunrise in Kiltepan peak. I want to go back to the place and stay there for a week. Swear!
Well, when I said place, I meant Sagada. Would love to explore the place more. And yes to SAGGAS! They're the best tour guides, ever. 😀
@chyrel: galing ng SAGGAS noh? very organized sila. yeah, Sagada’s a totally different place that I don’t mind staying for more than a month, even for a beach bum like me. 😀
your half-naked shot reminded me of a fellow hiker who asked me to take a photo of his fully naked body (back) at the top of Mt. Apo!
@the nomadic pinoy: haha lakas ng trip ah! you just gave me an idea. haha!