TARAK RIDGE Mariveles, Bataan Jump off point: Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles LLA: 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
You may actually choose to scale the very summit of Mariveles, but it is Tarak Ridge, on Mt. Mariveles’ west face, that has gained much attention. Its craggy landscape, sharp rocks, and steep location may have given rise to its name, Tarak, which is somewhat of a cross between ‘Tabak’ (hunting knife) and ‘Tarik’ (steep). There is a scenic, 270-degree view of Bataan which includes the islands of Corregidor and neighboring islands, as well as Manila Bay all the way to Cavite.
The trail is divided into two: a first part involves wide trails, at times dense grasslands – which are during summer months burned in kaingin. The typhoons in 2006 damaged sections of the trail, including one which now needs the assistance of a rope to be crossed. This first part takes three hours and ends in Papaya river – a rest station and water source. Then the next part involves woodlands, steep trails in which you can hold on to branches and roots for support. After 90 minutes, you’ll find yourself in Tarak Ridge. Set up camp here, then go for the optional assault on Mt. Tarak (El Saco and Tarak peaks). By the time you return, it’s approaching dusk. The sunset is colorful and dramatic.
Gusts of wind, coming from the South China Sea, pound hard on the Ridge, requiring extra pegs for tents at night. Inside your tent, you will feel aboard a sailboat, with the sails flapping noisily with the wind. This extra thrill makes Tarak Ridge a truly breathtaking and exciting destination.
-Pinoymountaineer-
Event Fee is 800/pax
ITINERARY: 00:00am: Eton Centris (Mcdo tabi ng BMW) 0100am: To bataan 0400am: ETA Mariveles Bataan 0430am: ETA Brgy. Alas-Asin /Register/ Secure Guide/ 0500am: Start Trek 0800am: @Papaya river / Rest 0900am: Resume Trek 1200pm: Explore the summit 1600pm: ETA Jumpoff/ Rest / Wash Up 1700pm: ETD Mariveles Bataan 2100pm: ETA Cubao
The Climb
As usual before mag start ang climb briefing muna...
Mt.Mariveles/Tarak Ridge is my 4th mountain and 1st major hike...bago ako tuluyang tumuloy sa hike na ito pinag isipan ko muna mabuti kung kaya ko na ba mag major hike dahil sa pangalan pa lang "TARAK" mukhang challenging na...
1st part ng trail chill chill pa lahat nakangiti at yung iba nakakatawa pa haha...unang ahon sa 1st assault going to papaya river...di masyado kita ang view napagkaitan nanaman sa clearing bes!!!!
Going to papaya river masasabi ko na naging maayos naman lahat 2 hrs mahigit bago kami makarating dito since babalik pa kami dito after makarating ng summit nd muna kami nagtampisaw sa napaka lamig na tubig ni Papaya River...
oha may pa stolen Shots nanaman si sir Vien...salamat sir !!! hehe
Going to Ridge
Nag expect ako na magiging consistent lng ang buong trail going to summit...pero bess going to ridge pa lng eh naka tungkod na ang lola nyo (nakita ko lng po yan kaya kinuha ko na at napakinabangan naman)...dito na nasubok kung gaano kahaba ang pasensya ko, kung hanggang saan ko kaya magtiis, kung hanggang saan ang (kagandagan ko haha char)...lahat na naranasan ko sa kahabaan ng trail na ito....
Sabi nga nila "hindi masama ang mag pahinga basta wag susuko" may pa marsh mallow si sir Chaz...at may pa story telling si mam daph haha...
ng magpatuloy na kami sa trail going to ridge heto na andyan na yung mga nadaanan namin na batuhan at ugatan (oo bes ugatan dahil bago ka makarating sa damuhan ng ridge 90 degree kapitan sa ugat) at damuhan...
oh ayan bes ng makaahon kami sa ugatan eto na ang bumungad na tanawin sa amin :)
yung hirap kana sa pag ahon pero may pa selfie si sir Yaw haha (hello sir vien & sir yaw)...oha pose pa rin kahit nakakasilaw
Nagmahal...Tinalikuran...Tumalikod na lang rin hahaha
Finally nakaahon na din sa ridge....Bes alam mo ba yung feeling na sabihan ka ng nanay mo na "anak gawin kong 2k baon mo sa isang araw" hahaha bes ganung kasaya naramdaman ko ng makaahon ako sa ridge at makita kung gaano kaganda ang tanawin doon....
Pero bes sad to say na hindi na ako tumuloy sa summit since sinabi nila na same lng daw na view ang makikita roon at paubos na ang 2L na water ko...nagpahinga muna ng konti dun sa may silungan na maraming puno bago kami bumalik sa papaya river at mag lunch na doon...
This is how we enjoy papaya river....
After namin magtampisaw sa napakalamig na tubig ng papaya river nagsimula na kaming bumaba at bumalik sa jump off natapos namin ang climb around 5pm...
Kahit na hindi ako nakarating ng summit naging masaya nman ako dahil sa expirience at lessons na nakuha ko sa climb na ito...wait for me again Mt.Mariveles babalikan kita :)
"EVERY MOUNTAIN TOP IS WITHIN REACH IF YOU JUST KEEP CLIMBING"
Another successful climb with team Maligayang Ahon....more climbs to come Thank You and God Bless !!!!