One of my feared mountain? Tarak Ridge...Yes it is...because most hikers that I asked about this mountain had the same stories about it...they say, " ay naku mommy Weng, dito ko naranasan na mag abot ang noo ko at tuhod sa pag akyat"...Others told me that "ayoko na umulit dyan, pinahirpan ako ng todo ng bundok na yan"...Whew! If you are on my foot, what could you feel with these kind of stories? So, what I had in mind during those days was "fear"...I always turned down invitations... but on the other side, I really had the eagerness to see this beautiful mountain....I keep on searching about Mt. Tarak. And every time I saw the beautiful pictures of my other buddies and some mountaineers, I felt envy on them. They had so much beautiful memories on it especially on the part of Tarak Ridge. "Gusto ko magkaroon ng picture sa Ridge...Super ganda ng view". "Gusto ko makita ang famous na Papaya River"...And after my climb at Mt. Apo, I told myself, "with these, I think I am now ready in climbing Mt. Tarak" If God surprised me that I can climbed Mt. Apo, I think He will also allow me to see the Tarak Ridge and experience the strong winds along the ridge.
Until one of my regular buddies, Ka Freddie, created an event to Tarak Ridge... the traditional way (traditional trail), I did not make any hesitation to go with them. Aside from I already joined them for several climbed, I trusted them that much and they can understand my mode of climbing. Super bagal kasi ako talaga...haay! I really thank them for having a big patience on me... to my well known...Baby Walk Style...hihihi...
We left Manila bound for Bataan around 2am...and arrived Brgy. Alas-asin around 5am. Me, Jc, Lloyd, Gilda and Dada was the first group arrived in barangay hall for registration. Ka Freddie who was with us from Manila drop off at their ancestral home to get his climbing stuff while Gerald who will came from Baguio City will meet Ryan in SM San Fernando. We agreed that we will go ahead of them and meet at Nanay Cording's house.
Since most of us, the advance group, are newbies on this mountain except for Jc, he serve us as a guide to Nanay Cording...he knew that the old woman is very cool and nice to chat with...so Jc and Dada uttered so many jokes while waiting for Ka Freddie to arrive. We had a free hot coffee, a good chat and some photo shoots...talagang todo posing pa ang senior...hahaha...
After an hour of waiting, we started to hike again aiming to have lunch at the famous Papaya River...I don't know why is it called Papaya river, I don't even see any single papaya tree...lolz!
Papaya River was so awesome...kaya nang makakita ako ng flat rock...tingin ko kama and again...nap...nap...din pag may time...hehe! Ewan ko ba, parang napapadalas na ang pag-nap ko sa rest area...ang sarap kasi matulog, parang musika sa tenga ang lagaslas ng tubig sa ilog, ang mga huni ng ibon at ang malamig na simoy ng kalikasan....iba talaga ang pakiramdam ko pag nasa kabundukan ako...para akong malaya sa ano mang uri ng ingay at usok sa syudad...
BEWARE on napping!!!....titignan nyo baka madaya kayo sa load...like what these naughty group did to me...waaah! they put additional 2kgs of sausage on my backpack....hahahahaha...And I didn't noticed that I am carrying extra load from Papaya River to the campsite...kaya pala panay tanong sa akin ni Ms. Gilda kung okey lang ako....Waaah! Lesson learned...if you want to do some nap, embrace your backpack...lolz!
A sign of happiness and overwhelming experience...This was a very memorable climb...now that I climbed Mt. Tarak...I can consider this mountain as one of my favorite...My fear changed into something that I can say...totoo talaga ang sinasabi ng iba..."lahat ng bundok ay mahirap akyatin....pero pwede at kaya mong akyatin"...
Again, another mountain have seen, felt another unforgettable experiences, be with one of the beautiful Gods creation for us humans, climbed with the most trusted group I ever had and most of all carry a 13kgs backpack to campsite...hahahaha...
And of course, another Byaheng Jologs for all of you guys....kaya tara na Byaheng Jologs na!!!
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| Jump off to Tarak Ridge Brgy. Alas-asin, Maribeles Bataan |
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| The famous Nanay Cording's place |
We left Manila bound for Bataan around 2am...and arrived Brgy. Alas-asin around 5am. Me, Jc, Lloyd, Gilda and Dada was the first group arrived in barangay hall for registration. Ka Freddie who was with us from Manila drop off at their ancestral home to get his climbing stuff while Gerald who will came from Baguio City will meet Ryan in SM San Fernando. We agreed that we will go ahead of them and meet at Nanay Cording's house.
Since most of us, the advance group, are newbies on this mountain except for Jc, he serve us as a guide to Nanay Cording...he knew that the old woman is very cool and nice to chat with...so Jc and Dada uttered so many jokes while waiting for Ka Freddie to arrive. We had a free hot coffee, a good chat and some photo shoots...talagang todo posing pa ang senior...hahaha...
After an hour of waiting, we started to hike again aiming to have lunch at the famous Papaya River...I don't know why is it called Papaya river, I don't even see any single papaya tree...lolz!
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| Papaya River photo credit to Ms. Gilda |
Papaya River was so awesome...kaya nang makakita ako ng flat rock...tingin ko kama and again...nap...nap...din pag may time...hehe! Ewan ko ba, parang napapadalas na ang pag-nap ko sa rest area...ang sarap kasi matulog, parang musika sa tenga ang lagaslas ng tubig sa ilog, ang mga huni ng ibon at ang malamig na simoy ng kalikasan....iba talaga ang pakiramdam ko pag nasa kabundukan ako...para akong malaya sa ano mang uri ng ingay at usok sa syudad... |
| Group picture from upper left Me, Gerald, Lloyd, Ryan, Jc, Ka Freddie Gilda and Dada |
BEWARE on napping!!!....titignan nyo baka madaya kayo sa load...like what these naughty group did to me...waaah! they put additional 2kgs of sausage on my backpack....hahahahaha...And I didn't noticed that I am carrying extra load from Papaya River to the campsite...kaya pala panay tanong sa akin ni Ms. Gilda kung okey lang ako....Waaah! Lesson learned...if you want to do some nap, embrace your backpack...lolz!
Some trail photos that I can share...
Tarak Ridge...
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| The Tarak Ridge |
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| our camp at the ridge |
A sign of happiness and overwhelming experience...This was a very memorable climb...now that I climbed Mt. Tarak...I can consider this mountain as one of my favorite...My fear changed into something that I can say...totoo talaga ang sinasabi ng iba..."lahat ng bundok ay mahirap akyatin....pero pwede at kaya mong akyatin"...
Mt. Tarak summit....
Again, another mountain have seen, felt another unforgettable experiences, be with one of the beautiful Gods creation for us humans, climbed with the most trusted group I ever had and most of all carry a 13kgs backpack to campsite...hahahaha...
And of course, another Byaheng Jologs for all of you guys....kaya tara na Byaheng Jologs na!!!
