Mount Tarak Ridge, Mariveles, Bataan (1,130 MASL)
Jump off point: Brgy. Alas-asin, MarivelesLLA: 14°30.357′N, 120°30′E, 1,006 MASL (ridge); 1,130 MASL (peak)
Days required / Hours to summit: 2 days, 5-6 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3
(Source : http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/tarak-ridge-1130.html)
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| one needs to register at Alas Asin Barangay Hall before proceeding to your climb, Registration fee Php40
How to get to Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan?
From Genesis Pasay or Cubao terminal, ride the Mariveles bound buses and took the four hour long drive. There are also Bataan Transit Mariveles bound buses in Five Star Cubao terminal. Bus fare around Php272.00.
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| mga nakasabay sa pag akyat, Dhenz, Joshua, Tristan and Jerald... |
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| start of the trek...under the scorching heat of the sun... The first part of the trek is flat and plain ground... |
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As we started trekking, I really was silently wishing, Hmmp sana sinama na natin ni Joshua kasi parang mas hirap pa kami umakyat ng Pico pero si Joshua nakayanan nya yun...anyway, pwede naman bumalik anytime since we are only 3 municipalities away from Mariveles...
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| first resting place... with new friends, Sir Miguel and his group |
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| ayan...malilim na =) |
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| approaching Nanay Cording's kubo...second resting place =) |
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| with Nanay Cording |
The first part of the trail has flat and plain grounds. Most of our first three-hour trek from the jump-off to Papaya River was quite easy, easier than Mount Pico de Loro which is uneven, rocky at puro assault, hehe =)...The one thing that will make you tired especially during the first part was the hot trek at the foothills of the mountain... But before approaching Nanay Cording's kubo, there are already shaded trails. Trekking becomes more relaxing though the trails becomes narrower.
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| lunctime at Papaya River |
My husband fetched drinking water at Papaya River at the upper side of the river... The three foreigner mountaineers who went ahead of us also got water at the side of the river, it's just that they have a gadget that can purify their water instanty. It is the only water source during the entire trek, so bawal ang maarte, anyway we are still alive and nothing happened to us. I therefore conclude that the water here is really safe =)
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| JP and the roots |
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| close encounter |
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| nakakapagod din ang 3 hours trekking, tulog muna =) |
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| my partner in climbing |
Okay let's go and start the second part of the trek...
It is after the Papaya River where other mountaineers get lost so make sure you are trekking the right trail going to the ridge. It is where I've discovered why they classified Mount Tarak Ridge as a major climb... Only after ten minutes of hiking, we already get tired and asked for a rest.
It was an hour and a half of steep slopes and holding on to roots and branches of trees during the second part of the climb. But I really enjoyed the second part, the shady trails helped a lot. It was so fun and challenging that you have to pull yourself up and hold on to roots on climbing. There were also a lot of fallen trees and you need to get over them. The trail becomes steeper with an almost 40 to 50 degrees slopes going upward. Holding on to roots is okay with me, what is hard for me are the rocky and slippery roads before the ridge. Pico de Loro is harder but Mt Tarak Ridge hike is more dangerous. That maybe the reason why they considered it as a major climb. Climbing Mount Pico de Loro first, which is classified as a minor climb, is an advantage. When we climbed Pico, I always asked my co-mountaineers, minor ba talaga to? I expected that climbing Tarak Ridge is harder that I even left Joshua minding that he will get a hard time climbing Tarak. Anyway we really have to get back here and join Joshua in trekking this mountain. But we will make sure that it will not rain, it will be dangerous to climb Tarak during rainy seasons.
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| mga ugat na kakapitan |
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| okay!!! |
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| Ang hirap nun!!! |
the benefit of being a mountaineer??? Seeing God's creations from above...
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| on ledge |
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| we will only live once, so try everything that this beautiful life has to offer!!! |
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| AMOC's president, Jonti =) |
We pitched our tents on the covered part of the ridge
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| our neighbors for a night at the ridge |
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| makiuso sa pag look-up =) |
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| wacky pose with Sir Migz and his group |
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| Dinner and Socials |
Lights off!!!
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| Good morning Mariveles!!! |
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| the view from here was just so amazing!!! |
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| with AMOC's president and Sir Migz |
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| enjoying GOD's gift to humans |
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| ang lamig promise!!! basta lahat ng bundok malamig... we actually forgot our jackets, hehehe =) |
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| and... action!!! |
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| nung bata ako, wala akong ganitong mga pictures... lucky kid, he can go anywhere where his parents go... |
What is notable in Mount Tarak Ridge is the very abrupt rush of wind. We didn't pitched our tent at the open area because aside from the cold winds, the wind is just so strong, extra pegs or rocks needed to support the tents...
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| Bantog Backpackers without Joshua, Janelle and James... soon makukumpleto rin kami sa bundok!!! |
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| AMOC!!! Puso!!! |
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| the amazing view from above...we will surely climb Tarak multiple times =) |
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| stopover!!! with lovers Lala and Jonti <3... marami talaga nagkakatuluyan na mountaineers <3 |
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| ikaw na, daddy!!! |
It took us around 20 to 30 minutes hiking the ridge to the summit. Wider view here and it is where we found Wally Bayola (lookalike!) hehehe =)
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| Aha! dito ka pala nagtatago =) |
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| scenic views from the summit =) |
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| don't be overconfident on relaxing your back to the tree, a cliff is just around the corner... |
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| the lone tree at the summit |
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| Oh Yeah!!! |
viewing from above without riding a helicopter...
so don't hesitate to join us next time
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| whattamen!!! |
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| the other side of the summit |
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| viewing the ridge from the summit |
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| photographed by me =) |
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| ang gwapo eh! |
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| dad's shoes gave up!!! |
Start of the descent...
We thought that we can reach Papaya from the ridge in just an hour, but the descent is also the same as the ascent. The first part is the slippery rocky trail that when you are going down, some of the rocks will go with you. After this you still have to hold on to roots and branches climbing down vertically. We're rushing going down to Papaya River because we run out of drinking water already, and luckily we still have some jellyace used as trail water during the one and a half trail going down.
We thought that we can reach Papaya from the ridge in just an hour, but the descent is also the same as the ascent. The first part is the slippery rocky trail that when you are going down, some of the rocks will go with you. After this you still have to hold on to roots and branches climbing down vertically. We're rushing going down to Papaya River because we run out of drinking water already, and luckily we still have some jellyace used as trail water during the one and a half trail going down.
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| Lunch time again at Papaya River |
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ang sarap magkape!!! photo credits to Glenn Viloria  |
Going back to Nanay Cording's kubo
climbed Mount Tarak Ridge
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| Saying goodbye to Sir Migz group for now... |
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| AMOC's mementos to Nanay Cording, an AMOC shirt |
"It is not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves." I found it is so true since I was so afraid of heights before, but since I became a mountaineer, I conquered my fear... Mountaineering had taught me a lot of lessons in life. Climbing mountains taught me to be patient, to endure the pains and to care more about others. Although you want to reach the summit, you will still be thinking about your companions, if they are feeling tired you have to wait for them and let them take their rest and reach the summit all together. We have met a lot of friends who shared the same interest.
And in reaching summits, you feel closer to HIM, and become so thankful on everything HE has created.
And in reaching summits, you feel closer to HIM, and become so thankful on everything HE has created.
AMOC's Itinerary
Amadeo, Cavite to Pasay
Day 0
5:00PM to 11:00PM - Amadeo, Cavite to Bantog's Residence in Balanga, Bataan
11:00PM to 5:00AM - Sleep
Day 1
7:00AM to 8:00AM - Balanga City to Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan
bus fare Php48
8:00AM to 9:00AM - Waited for Sir Migz group
9:00AM to 9:30AM - Registration at Brgy. Alas-asin, Php40
9:30AM to 10:00AM - Jump-off to Nanay Cording's kubo
10:00AM to 12:30AM - Nanay Cording's kubo to Papaya River
12:30AM to 2:30PM - Lunch and Rest
2:30PM to 4:00PM - Papaya River to Tarak Ridge
4:00PM to 6:00PM - exploring and photoshooting at the ridge
6:00PM to 7:00PM - pitching of tents and cooked dinner
7:00PM to 7:30PM - Dinner
7:30PM to 9:30PM - Socials
10:00PM - Lights off
Day 2
5:30AM to 6:00AM - breakfast
6:00AM to 6:30AM - ridge to summit
6:30AM to 7:00AM - Exploring the summit
7:00AM to 7:30AM - summit to ridge
7:30AM to 8:30AM - break camp
8:30AM to 10:00AM - ridge to Papaya river
10:00AM to 12:00NN - Lunch and bathing time at Papaya river
12:00NN to 2:30PM - Papaya river to jump-off
2:30PM to 3:00PM - Bath time at the jump-off Php20
3:00PM to 4:00PM - Alas-asin to Balanga (Bantog Backpackers)
3:00PM to 7:00PM - Alas-asin to Pasay (AMOC)
7:00PM to 9:00PM - Pasay to Amadeo, Cavite
Day 0
5:00PM to 11:00PM - Amadeo, Cavite to Bantog's Residence in Balanga, Bataan
11:00PM to 5:00AM - Sleep
Day 1
7:00AM to 8:00AM - Balanga City to Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan
bus fare Php48
8:00AM to 9:00AM - Waited for Sir Migz group
9:00AM to 9:30AM - Registration at Brgy. Alas-asin, Php40
9:30AM to 10:00AM - Jump-off to Nanay Cording's kubo
10:00AM to 12:30AM - Nanay Cording's kubo to Papaya River
12:30AM to 2:30PM - Lunch and Rest
2:30PM to 4:00PM - Papaya River to Tarak Ridge
4:00PM to 6:00PM - exploring and photoshooting at the ridge
6:00PM to 7:00PM - pitching of tents and cooked dinner
7:00PM to 7:30PM - Dinner
7:30PM to 9:30PM - Socials
10:00PM - Lights off
Day 2
5:30AM to 6:00AM - breakfast
6:00AM to 6:30AM - ridge to summit
6:30AM to 7:00AM - Exploring the summit
7:00AM to 7:30AM - summit to ridge
7:30AM to 8:30AM - break camp
8:30AM to 10:00AM - ridge to Papaya river
10:00AM to 12:00NN - Lunch and bathing time at Papaya river
12:00NN to 2:30PM - Papaya river to jump-off
2:30PM to 3:00PM - Bath time at the jump-off Php20
3:00PM to 4:00PM - Alas-asin to Balanga (Bantog Backpackers)
3:00PM to 7:00PM - Alas-asin to Pasay (AMOC)
7:00PM to 9:00PM - Pasay to Amadeo, Cavite
Visit my favorite mountaineering website for more information about Tarak Ridge at http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/tarak-ridge-1130.html
Hi! its great to see that your whole family is game on this kind of outdoor activity. It is also inspiring that you have bonding time with each other and at the same time enjoying :)
ReplyDeleteI'm just starting to crave for climbing adventure. My latest was in Mt. Gulugod Baboy. http://pretteatraveler.blogspot.hk/2014/04/climb-mt-gulugod-baboy-anilao-mabini.html
For you, what was really the hardest climb. Pico De Loro? or this one in Mt. Tarak? Thanks :)
You can join us in our climbing activity in one or all of our schedules this May. May 1-2 Mt. Pico de Loro, Maragondon, Cavite, May 10 - day hike in Mount Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas, May 17-18 Mount Maculot, Cuenca, Batangas. My hardest climb so far was Mount Makiling Traverse with 6/9 difficulty and it is literally raining limatiks in most of the trail. Just message me if you want to join po Ms. Thea =)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletenice blog very usefull sya. magagamit namen toh bilang guide sa pag akyat namen this May,
ReplyDeletekaso ung breakdown ng damage/gastos sa pag akyat sir, pero ok lang
salamat ule d2
-Ray
Keep blogging GodBless