View source for Mount Pulag

{{Short description|Volcano in Luzon, Philippines}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Mount Pulag
| other_name = {{ubl| {{native name|fil|Bundok Pulag}} | {{native name|ilo|Bantay Pulag}}}}
| native_name = 
| photo = 
Panoramic Shot of Mt. Pulag Summit and Grassland.jpg
| photo_caption = Panoramic shot of Mount Pulag summit
| map = Luzon mainland#Philippines
| map_alt = 
| map_size = 
| map_caption = Location in Luzon##Location in the Philippines
| location = [[Luzon]]
| country = [[Philippines]]
| subdivision1 = {{enum|[[Cordillera Administrative Region]]|[[Cagayan Valley]]}}
| subdivision1_type = Regions
| subdivision2 = {{enum|[[Benguet]]|[[Ifugao]]|[[Nueva Vizcaya]]}}
| subdivision2_type = Provinces
| settlement = {{enum|[[Bokod, Benguet|Bokod]]|[[Kabayan, Benguet|Kabayan]]|[[Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya|Kayapa]]|[[Tinoc, Ifugao|Tinoc]]}}
| settlement_type = Municipalities
| coordinates = {{coord|16|35|0.86|N|120|53|0.93|E|type:mountain_region:PH_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m = 2928
| elevation_ref = <ref name="ferranti">{{Cite web |last1=de Ferranti |first1=Jonathan |last2=Maizlish |first2=Aaron |title=Philippine Mountains – 29 Mountain Summits with Prominence of 1,500 Meters or Greater |url=http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/philippines.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217134056/http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/philippines.html |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |access-date=January 31, 2011}}</ref>
| prominence_m = 2928
| prominence_ref = <ref name=ferranti/><br /><small>[[List of peaks by prominence|Ranked 107th]]</small>
| listing = [[List of mountain peaks by prominence|World most prominent peaks]] 107th<br>[[List of islands by highest point|Island highest point]] 26th<br>[[List of mountains in the Philippines|Philippines high peaks]] 3rd<br>[[List of Ultras of the Philippines|Philippines Ultra peaks]] 2nd<br>Philippines Ribu peaks 2nd<br>[[List of Philippine provinces and regions by highest point|Luzon highest peak]]
| parent = [[Cordillera Central (Luzon)|Cordillera Central]]
| topo_map = 
| range_coordinates = 
| coordinates_ref = 
| mountain_type = [[Dormant volcano]]
| volcanic_arc = [[Luzon Volcanic Arc]]
| age = 
| last_eruption = 
| first_ascent = {{circa}} 2000 BC by the native [[Ibaloi people|Ibalois]].
| easiest_route = Ambangeg Trail
}}

'''Mount Pulag''' ({{langx|fil|Bundok Pulag}}; {{langx|ilo|Bantay Pulag}})<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2015 |title=Highest Mountains of the Philippines! |url=https://www.tagaloglang.com/highest-mountains-in-the-philippines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123134811/https://www.tagaloglang.com/highest-mountains-in-the-philippines/ |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |access-date=November 10, 2019 |website=Tagalog Lang}}</ref> is [[Luzon]]'s highest peak at {{convert|2928|m}} above sea level, [[List of mountains in the Philippines|third-highest mountain in the Philippines]], and the [[List of islands by highest point|26th-highest peak of an island]] on Earth. 

It is [[List of Ultras of the Philippines|second-most prominent mountain in the Philippines]]. Located on the triple border of the [[Provinces of the Philippines|provinces]] of [[Benguet]], [[Ifugao]], and [[Nueva Vizcaya]], the borders meet at the mountain's peak. Mount Pulag is third highest next to [[Mount Apo]] and [[Mount Dulang-dulang]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lasco |first=Gideon |date=January 24, 2016 |title=The 10 Highest Mountains in the Philippines (2016 Update) |url=http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2016/01/the-10-highest-mountains-in-the-philippines-2016-update.html |access-date=January 22, 2018 |website=[[Pinoy Mountaineer]] |archive-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122142420/http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2016/01/the-10-highest-mountains-in-the-philippines-2016-update.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mount Pulag is famous for its "[[sea of clouds]]" and its exceptional view of the [[Milky Way|Milky Way Galaxy]] at dawn, which has attracted many tourists who wish to see the "other-worldly" scenery. 

The entire mountain is believed to be the home to the ''tinmongao'' spirits and is the sacred resting ground of the souls of the [[Ibaloi people]] and other ethnic peoples in the area.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Benguet Folk to Appease Mount Pulag Spirits |work=The Manila Times |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2018/02/10/news/regions/benguet-folk-appease-mount-pulag-spirits/379386/ |access-date=November 10, 2019 |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921110113/https://www.manilatimes.net/2018/02/10/news/regions/benguet-folk-appease-mount-pulag-spirits/379386/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
The Ibaloi people of Benguet mummify their dead and house them in caverns in the mountain. The [[Kabayan mummies|Kabayan mummy]] burial caves, one of the main attraction of the site, are considered [[List of National Cultural Treasures in the Philippines|Philippine national cultural treasures]] under Presidential Decree No. 432.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cariño |first=Delmar |date=April 27, 2009 |title=Respect Mummies, Pulag Trekkers Told |work=Inquirer.net |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090427-201614/Respect-mummies-Pulag-trekkers-told  |access-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428151455/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090427-201614/Respect-mummies-Pulag-trekkers-told |archive-date=April 28, 2009}}</ref>

Mt. Pulag was proclaimed a [[List of national parks of the Philippines|national park]] through Presidential Proclamation No. 75 signed by President [[Corazon Aquino]] on February 20, 1987, covering an area of {{convert|11550|ha}}.<ref name="GovPH-Proc75">{{Cite web |date=February 20, 1987 |title=Proclamation No. 75; Declaring As Mount Pulag National Park Certain Parcels of Land of the Public Domain Embraced and Situated in the Municipalities of Buguias and Kabayan in Benguet, Kiangan in Ifugao and Kayapa in Nueva Viscaya, Island of Luzon. |url=http://www.gov.ph/1987/02/20/proclamation-no-75-s-1987/  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005130326/http://www.gov.ph/1987/02/20/proclamation-no-75-s-1987/ |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |access-date=October 4, 2016 |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines}}</ref> It is part of the Cordillera Biogeographic Zone and is a National Integrated Protected Areas Programme (NIPAP) site.<ref name="GMANews-MappingOut">{{Cite news |last=Leprozo |first=Dave Jr. |date=December 25, 2009 |title=Mapping out Mount Pulag |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/180224/lifestyle/travel/mapping-out-mount-pulag |access-date=October 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004112508/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/180224/lifestyle/travel/mapping-out-mount-pulag |archive-date=October 4, 2016}}</ref>

The national park is inhabited by different ethnic groups such as the Ibalois, [[Kalanguya people|Kalanguya]], [[Kankanaey people|Kankana-ey]]s, [[Karao people (Philippines)|Karao]], and [[Ifugao people|Ifugao]]s.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hF1gbwaiiZsC&pg=PA186 |title=Getting Biodiversity Projects to Work: Towards More Effective Conservation and Development |date=2004 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-12764-6 |editor-last=McShane |editor-first=Thomas O. |location=New York |page=186 |language=en |editor-last2=Wells |editor-first2=Michael P.}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Ph mtpulag.jpg|thumb|left|Mount Pulag]]

Mount Pulag stands at {{convert|2928|m||abbr=}} high.<ref name="PHIVOLCS">{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2008|url=http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=425:inactive-volcanoes&catid=55:volcanoes-of-the-philippines  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322214609/http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=425:inactive-volcanoes&catid=55:volcanoes-of-the-philippines |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |access-date=March 24, 2016 |website=Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology | title=Inactive Volcanoes Part 6 }}</ref> The peak of the mountain is located in the Municipality of Kabayan Province of [[Benguet]].

=== Climate ===
The climate at the summit of Mount Pulag is [[subpolar oceanic]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cwc''), bordering a [[subtropical highland]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cwb'') climate, as its summer mean temperatures only slightly exceed 10 degrees Celsius. Rainfall on the mountain averages {{convert|4489|mm}} yearly with August being the wettest month with an average rainfall of {{convert|1135|mm}}. 

Snow has not fallen on its top in at least the past 100 years, only hailstorms that look like snow. However, there have been mild flurries on the mountain, especially during December, January and February. {{clarify|date=August 2019}} Frost is more common on the mountain due to the low temperature during those months.<ref name="ABS-CBNNews-1Degree">{{Cite news |last=Ilao |first=Micaella |date=January 19, 2017 |title=Mt. Pulag Temperature Drops to 1 Degree Celsius |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/01/19/17/mt-pulag-temperature-drops-to-1-degree-celsius |url-status=live |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806041311/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/19/17/mt-pulag-temperature-drops-to-1-degree-celsius |archive-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref> 

During the winter season, the temperature at the highest point of the mountain is known to dip into sub-freezing temperatures, making it the coldest place in the country.<ref name="PhilStar-BelowZero">{{Cite news |last=Dumlao |first=Artemio |date=December 29, 2015 |title=Mt. Pulag Freezes Below Zero |work=Philstar Global |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/12/29/1537575/mt-pulag-freezes-below-zero |url-status=live |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801155611/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/12/29/1537575/mt-pulag-freezes-below-zero |archive-date=August 1, 2019}}</ref> The only recorded incidence of snow was in the late 1800s.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

{{Weather box
|location = Mount Pulag 
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes

| Jan high C = 9.3
| Feb high C = 10.3
| Mar high C = 12.3
| Apr high C = 13.3
| May high C = 13.3
| Jun high C = 12.3
| Jul high C = 12.3
| Aug high C = 11.3
| Sep high C = 12.3
| Oct high C = 12.3
| Nov high C = 11.3
| Dec high C = 9.3

| Jan mean C = 5.8
| Feb mean C = 6.8
| Mar mean C = 8.3
| Apr mean C = 9.8
| May mean C = 10.3
| Jun mean C = 9.8
| Jul mean C = 10.3
| Aug mean C = 9.3
| Sep mean C = 9.8
| Oct mean C = 8.8
| Nov mean C = 7.8
| Dec mean C = 6.3

| Jan low C = 2.3
| Feb low C = 3.3
| Mar low C = 4.3
| Apr low C = 6.3
| May low C = 7.3
| Jun low C = 7.3
| Jul low C = 7.3
| Aug low C = 7.3
| Sep low C = 7.3
| Oct low C = 5.3
| Nov low C = 4.3
| Dec low C = 3.3

| Jan precipitation mm = 38
| Feb precipitation mm = 57
| Mar precipitation mm = 77
| Apr precipitation mm = 141
| May precipitation mm = 390
| Jun precipitation mm = 355
| Jul precipitation mm = 426
| Aug precipitation mm = 441
| Sep precipitation mm = 426
| Oct precipitation mm = 259
| Nov precipitation mm = 97
| Dec precipitation mm = 57

|source 1 = meteoblue.com<ref name="met_norms">{{Cite web |title=Climate: Modelled Mount Pulag – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table |url=https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/mount-pulag_philippines_1692545 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110104530/https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/mount-pulag_philippines_1692545 |archive-date=November 10, 2019 |access-date=November 10, 2019 |publisher=meteoblue.com}}</ref>
|date=November 2019}}

=== Fauna and flora ===
[[File:Pulag's Mossy Forest.jpg|thumb|Mossy forest of Mount Pulag]]
[[File:Dwarf Cloud Rat of Mt. Pulag.jpg|thumb|A short-footed Luzon Tree Rat or a Dwarf Cloud Rat]]

Mount Pulag has a large diversity of flora and fauna, including many species that are endemic to the mountain.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mt. Pulag National Park |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5030/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 26, 2020 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210112808/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5030/ }}</ref> Mount Pulag hosts 528 documented plant species. It is the natural habitat of the dwarf bamboo (''[[Yushania niitakayamensis]]'') and the Benguet pine (''[[Pinus kesiya]]'') that dominate the areas of [[Luzon tropical pine forests]] found on the mountainsides. From the 1950s to the early 1970s the more accessible tracts of Benguet pine were felled.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hicks |first=Nigel |title=The National Parks and Other Wild Places of The Philippines |publisher=[[New Holland Publishers]] |year=2002 |isbn=978 1 84330 162 2 |page=31}}</ref> The [[Taxus sumatrana|Philippine yew tree]], which contains a compound associated with cancer treatment, is found on Mount Pulag.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bengwayan |first=Michael A. |date=March 5, 2019 |title=Companies Rush to Patent Wildlife of the Philippines |url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/05032019-companies-rush-to-patent-wildlife-of-the-philippines-oped/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 26, 2020 |website=Eurasia Review |language=en |type=OpEd |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626112356/https://www.eurasiareview.com/05032019-companies-rush-to-patent-wildlife-of-the-philippines-oped/ }}</ref> Its bark is used by indigenous Ibaloi and Kalanguya communities to make tea.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bengwayan |first=Michael A. |date=July 29, 2018 |title=PHL Biodiversity Under Siege from Biopirates |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/07/29/phl-biodiversity-under-siege-from-biopirates/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 26, 2020 |website=Business Mirror |language=en |archive-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628121026/https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/07/29/phl-biodiversity-under-siege-from-biopirates/ }}</ref>

At lower elevations, Mount Pulag has a mossy forest full of ferns, lichens, and moss.<ref name=":0" />

Among its native wildlife are 33 bird species and several threatened mammals such as the [[Philippine deer]], [[giant bushy-tailed cloud rat]] (''bowet'') and the long-haired fruit bat.<ref name="GMANews-MappingOut" /> Mount Pulag is the only place that hosts the four cloud rat species. It is one of the most biodiverse locations in the Philippines, with the newly found (since 1896) 185-grams [[Carpomys|dwarf cloud rat]], ''[[Carpomys melanurus]]'', a rare breed (endemic to the Cordillera), and the [[Whiskered pitta|Koch pitta bird]] among its endangered denizens.

==Conservation efforts==
In April 2022, President [[Rodrigo Duterte]] signed a law declaring Mount Pulag as [[List of protected areas of the Philippines|a protected landscape]] under the [[National Integrated Protected Areas System]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aning |first1=Jerome |title=Pulag, Tirad Pass, 3 others declared protected areas |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1589680/pulag-tirad-pass3-others-declaredprotected-areas |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=April 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429111617/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1589680/pulag-tirad-pass3-others-declaredprotected-areas |archive-date=April 29, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==Hiking activity==
[[File:Akiki Trail of Mt. Pulag.jpg|thumb|left|Akiki Trail of Mt. Pulag]]

As the highest mountain in Luzon, Mount Pulag attracts a lot of mountain climbers.<ref name="GMANews-MappingOut" /> Highlights of the climb include the [[montane forest]]s and the grassland summit with its "sea of clouds" phenomenon. There are four major trails up the summit: the Ambangeg, Akiki, and Tawangan trails from [[Benguet]] and the Ambaguio trail from [[Nueva Vizcaya]]. These trails are managed by the Mount Pulag National Park, under the [[Department of Environment and Natural Resources]].

{{clear left}}

==Incidents==

===Presidential helicopter crash===
On April 7, 2009, a [[Philippine Air Force]] (PAF) [[Bell 412]] of the [[250th Presidential Airlift Wing]] crashed at {{convert|6900|ft}} above sea level in the Kabayan-Pulag pass between Mount Mangingihi and Mount Pulag in thick low cloud and fog. The pilots and their passengers, who were presidential appointees, died in the crash.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yagumyum |first=Rudy |date=April 16, 2009 |title=PAF Provides More Details on Presidential Chopper Crash |work=ABS-CBN |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/16/09/paf-provides-more-details-presidential-chopper-crash-probe |url-status=live |access-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810195314/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/16/09/paf-provides-more-details-presidential-chopper-crash-probe |archive-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref>

===January 2018 forest fire===
On January 20, 2018, the Mount Pulag National Park temporarily suspended trekking and hiking activities on Mount Pulag following a forest fire at a section of the mountain. According to an initial investigation, the fire started when a [[butane gas]] stove brought by a hiker allegedly exploded. Fire officers declared the fire extinguished later that day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Comanda |first=Zaldy |date=January 21, 2018 |title=Mt. Pulag Closed to Hikers Due to Forest Fire |work=Manila Bulletin |url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/01/21/mt-pulag-closed-to-hikers-due-to-forest-fire |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=January 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123083831/https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/01/21/mt-pulag-closed-to-hikers-due-to-forest-fire/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 20, 2018 |title=Hikers, Trekkers Barred from Mount Pulag After Forest Fire |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/01/20/18/hikers-trekkers-barred-from-mount-pulag-after-forest-fire |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=January 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121214513/http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/20/18/hikers-trekkers-barred-from-mount-pulag-after-forest-fire |url-status=live }}</ref> Lawsuits were afterwards filed against the perpetrators of the fire. Park rangers estimated it would take at least 6 months to 1 year before the area completely recovers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Agoot |first=Liza |date=January 20, 2018 |title=Activities at Mt. Pulag Suspended Due to Forest Fire |work=Philippine News Agency |url=http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1022337 |access-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-date=January 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122125736/http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1022337 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also==
* [[List of mountains in the Philippines]]
* [[List of national parks of the Philippines]]
* [[List of Southeast Asian mountains]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category multi |Mount Pulag |Mount Pulag National Park}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
* [http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mount-pulag-national-park-iba-philippines Mount Pulag National Park] – BirdLife Data Zone

{{Ten Highest Mountains in the Philippines}}
{{National parks of the Philippines}}
{{Protected areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region}}
{{World Heritage Sites in the Philippines}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Mountains of the Philippines|Pulag]]
[[Category:Landforms of Benguet]]
[[Category:Landforms of Ifugao]]
[[Category:Landforms of Nueva Vizcaya]]
[[Category:National parks of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1987]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Benguet]]
[[Category:World Heritage Tentative List for the Philippines]]
[[Category:Two-thousanders of Asia|Pulag]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of Luzon]]
[[Category:Ultra-prominent peaks of Asia]]