Tarak Ridge Mariveles, Bataan

It's been 3 days since we went to Tarak Ridge for our 2nd major climb this year with the Boss's group - AKAC (Abot Kamay Adventure Club) and as of this writing, my whole body is still sore and going up and down the stairs is a torture I cannot avoid. My arms and legs feel like stone and I've been indulging myself with a lot of junk foods (imagine chicharon and Razon's halo halo for breakfast) to help forget the pain and convince myself that I deserve it. Anyway, on with my story.

Initially, we planned to go via Genesis Bus but later found out that their Cubao terminal doesn't have direct trips to Mariveles and the thought of transferring buses somewhere in Balanga didn't sound good to us so we took Bataan Transit instead. We arrived at 9:45AM and ate a heavy lunch at Ihaw Ihaw ni Linda which is a local eatery right off the highway. Meals are dirt cheap for P35 for vegetable dishes and P50 for pork and chicken. We then proceeded to the Brgy. Hall which is right across and registered for P40 each. You can reach them at 0905-704-9348 Brgy. Peace Action Team Office (BPAT).

It was already 10:40AM when we commenced our ascend. The way to the jump off was not shady and steep and after around 30 minutes of walking, we were all beaten by the heat. We continued to walk until we reached Aling Cording's hut where all climbers rest for a breather. Here, the trees are towering. It reminded me of the Man Made Forest in Bohol. While we were resting, Aling Cording gave us a few tips regarding the trails, shared stories about some mountaineers who leave their trash at the ridge and how the Brgy. Hall doesn't give her a compensation for what she is doing. She said that the Brgy. doesn't have projects for mountaineers and she is against the so - called "registration fee".

Aling Cording - smiles albeit all the rants

We continued our ascend after 20 minutes. The trail is really tricky. It changes from open, then field - like, then forest (where we saw a lot of bugs, millipedes and different colors of ants), then grasslands - watch out for regular - looking leaves for they are armed with sharp and tiny spikes. Then it becomes rocky and finally, steep with a lot of tree roots which is useful to pull yourself up and cling on to on your descend. I actually felt like a monkey during our descend because my legs cannot bear it anymore and I was just clinging on every tree branch and vine for support. Mobile signal was spotty too and there was none at the base camp. Here are some pictures to help you visualize.

Corregidor Island

should I stay or should I go?

After around 3 hours, we finally reached Papaya River which is the common camp site for many because of the unlimited water supply. We filled our bottles to bring some to the base camp at the ridge and used it for cooking. 

I almost gave up during our assault to the base camp at the ridge. I needed to stop after every 8 or 10 steps. I was actually the liability of the group because they kept on stopping just to wait for me. I was breathless, almost on all fours and my thoughts on reaching the summit became a blur (I was very embarrassed to keep them waiting, really). The Boss and I weren't talking anymore to save energy that even a pack of M&M's chocolate cannot replenish. Finally, after 2 hours and 20 minutes, we reached the base camp. The feeling was surreal that I just sat in silence.

It was almost dark so we pitched our tents, cooked dinner, had a few rounds of tequila (except me) and slept. We were there on a Friday and we had the camp to ourselves except for a group of 3 funny guys who camped way farther from us. Watch out for mountain rats (if that's what they are called) because they scavenge for food even when people are around. We woke up the next morning to find wears and tears on our garbage bag.

T for Tarak

sorry, I failed (long exposure)

I slept well that night. I felt the constant gusts of wind at around 2AM but didn't care too much and just snuggled on my sleeping bag more. Woken up by the Boss who kept on going in and out the tent at 5AM. We aimed for our summit assault but failed because of the fog. So yeah, Tarak Ridge is still an unfinished business.

We waited for a good hour to no avail so we all decided to go back down to our campsite and have a quick breakfast. We weren't able to cook since we ran out of water so we just settled for coffee, noodles, cheese and vienna sausage. Thanks to Em and Darwin for that! :) Then while we were having breakfast, fate and the universe conspired and the skies cleared. (SIGH!)

Seeing it all was enough for us. The wonder of nature slowly unfolded in our eyes in all its morning glory. It was so beautiful! We decamped and descended just in time to make it to Papaya River before hoards of weekend warriors fill the river. We got some water from the river and boiled it for a few minutes to make sure we don't run out of water during our descend.

signs like these are visible throughout the trail

a slug we saw along our way down, there are also a lot of kinds of butterflies!

We reached Aling Cording's hut at 2PM but didn't stay long because I needed to go home early because I have work at 1AM the next day. By the way, you can hire porters to help you with your bags. A porter to Papaya River will cost you P800/day while if you want them to go up to the ridge with you, it is P1,500. For me, prices are reasonable considering the difficulty of the trail.

Sir Noel quenched our thirsts by treating us to cold sodas while resting before we took a bath at Grafane Farm. Entrance is P20 only and you can take a bath and use the comfort rooms for as long as you like.

The Boss and I wanted to get some halo halo from Razon's thus inviting the others and we found ourselves at one of Razon's branches in Guagua Pampanga. (so much for wanting to arrive home early because of work! haha!)

Here's a video summary:

I would like to thank Sir Noel for your inspiring pace, Em for your encouraging smiles and awesome music playlist, Darwin for your unlimited supply of Boy Bawang and to the Boss, who never gets tired of pushing me to my limits. New friends for me yey! Tarak Ridge, we shall return!

Hasta luego!