SI AYANG ANG ESKAPO : Tarak Ridge, Mariveles Bataan

Mt. Tarak Ridge- My First Major Climb.

After four minor climbs from Mt. Balagbag Rodriguez Rizal, Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu Batangas, Mt. Gulugud Baboy in Anilao Batangas and the Manabu Peak in Santo Tomas Batangas. I guess this is about time to test myself and apply things that I have learned from my previous climbs and take the real challenge of the mountain.

Tarak Ridge View from Peak

When i was in Mt. Manabu, I met a group of freelance mountaineers along the trail. They invited me and my other KA-ESKAPO to join them as they climb the Mt. Tarak Ridge in Mariveles Bataan. I heard a lot about the mountain and one time I saw a picture of this when I was on the web reading some blogs. I also heard about the famous river in the middle of this mountain which called " Papaya River".

When they invited me, I did not have a second thought because this is one of the mountains I want to peak. I asked their contact number for the updates and they said that the climb would be on next weekend. Since my rest days was Saturday and Sunday the set day for the climb was not really a big deal for my schedule. I was really excited during that time. A day after our Manabu climb, I invited few of my members who's free on coming weekends. Jackie Vargas, Lea Legazpi ,Jennifer Padrigon, Jayson Padrigon and Carlos Yao. I called the leader of the group but unfortunately because of their work schedules changed they decided to move the climb on the next month. When I heard that I dont know what to say and i just said "Okay po magtext na lang ako kung makakasama kame". Frustrating!

On the same day I got a text message from "unregistered number" said "Sir Chito po ito sa Manabu"

I remember there was another group who asked my number for future invites. And i replied to Sir Chito." Oh Good pm Sir!Musta?!. then he replied.. "Sir baka pwede kayo sumama samin Mt. Tarak on weekends" WHATTHE..... I immediately replied and said "Sure Sir dapat pupunta talaga kame with other group kaso na cancelled eh". I felt i was really destined to climb this mountain because of all the things happened.

Saturday Morning....

Bus Terminal - Excited!

Lea- my Rock Climbing Buddy and Jackie- my Travelling and Hiking Buddy

Kaloy my Best Friend and Jennifer Cute my Hiking Buddy

Si "AYANG"

We arrived at Genesis Bus Terminal(Cubao) quarter to 7 o'clock AM. We were five from ESKAPO MOUNTAINEERS and I was expecting five mountaineers from Chito's team but unfortunately only three were able to come, Sir Jeff-leader, Richie-first timer and Chito Pakito. We agreed to 8:00 o'oclock AM call time but Chito's team came few minutes late because of the traffic.....

After two and a half hours of journey from Cubao to Mariveles...

Arrived at Barangay Alas Asin in Mariveles, Bataan- Mt. Tarak Ridge. JUMP OFF

As planned, we took an early lunch in a small Karinderia before heading to the Barangay Hall for registration.

Kaloy, Jackie and "Ayang"

With Lea

Ang "Marino" at c "K-POP"- Jayson and Jennifer Villagen.

Richie, Chito and My mentor Sir Jeff of Dahong Palay Mountaineers.

Bought our food supplies in a small "Palengke"

Kumpleto lahat dito

After our heavy lunch we headed to the Barangay Hall for registration.

TEAM TARAK- ESKAPO MOUNTAINEERS

This was the start of "Jeff Tanega of Dahong Palay Mountaineers" and "Ayang" of "ESKAPO MOUNTAINEERS" partnership. ^_^

Start of Trekking. Mt. Tarak Ridge Jump Off.

To warm up, instead of taking a tricycle(which is possible) we decided to walk from the highway to the foot of the mountain just to condition ourselves.

The Concrete segment..

It was a beautiful day!

After like 30 minutes of walk we had to stop because Jennifer(wearing pink) told me that she was not feeling well. She's badly dizzy and her knees were shaking. She just went out from her work and have not gotten enough sleep. I was really worried about her and asked the team for a "break". After 20 minutes we checked her and asked her how she was feeling and she said " Rye okay na ako". We advised her if shes really not feeling well we could cancel this climb. But she assured us that shes fine already!

Resumed the Trekking as if nothing happened to Jennifer.

"Bukuhan"

If your group will climb in Tarak and you have a chartered van/jeep. Bukuhan can be the place to park your vehicle.

From "Bukuhan" we reached the last stop before the entrance to the forest.

One day i will come back here with my ESKAPO tarpaulin.

Magpapicture daw kay Nanay sabi niya

Si Nanay naka "Japan-Japan"

Sir Jeff and Ayang

Matalik na Kaibigan ni "Ayang" with freshly harvest langka.

Ang Pag-ESKAPO started here. Entering the forest of Mt. Tarak Ridge long way to go...

The start of the trail was a long walk to an even surface. There's a lot of fallen trees.

There were several groups climbed on that date... We met different groups along the trail.

It was too hot. I was carrying a 60liters bag and others too.

Water Break

Picture Picture ^_^

After the long walk on an even surface. A sudden assault....and never ending..^_^

An hour Assault. Before a clear and an even surface trail.

After an hour we got to an open trail.... At last..

Water Break again ^_^

Lea my Trekking Photographer

Usually after 2 hours trekking this is the first rest area...

We met the Leader of "Luksong Tinik Mountaineers" .

"Kuwentuhan"

And another hardcore mountaineers...

After "pichuran" resumed the trek. The gradual assault.

Last open Trail.... the Tarak Ridge

No sleep,came from work,tired but ESKAPO never retreats!!

Another open area before taking several river crossings to get to the Papaya River.

Credit to Chito Pakito" Thanks because of this i have my blog header"
Last pictures taken because we were targetting to reach the Papaya River before dark.

When we got to Papaya River, camps near the river were occupied already and we did not have a choice but to pitched our tents along the trail. (Never blocked the way Trail Rule)

The ESKAPO TENT

All set. We changed clothes,gathered water from the river for cooking and also refill our water supply for the next day trekking. We had spaghetti, adobong manok,ham,hotdogs, EMPERADOR and other canned goods for our dinner.

Jackie, Lea and Jennifer decided to sleep early because they have not taken enough sleep since we all came from work. I managed to sleep for 3 hours when we were in the bus.

My favorite part. We're few in numbers but this is the best social.

"Ang kwento ni Sir Jeff.. Ang kuwentong Bundok"

Our socials started at 9 o'clock PM and ended at 3o'clock AM. We had to wake up at 4:15am to start the assault to the summit. All the boys were "bangag" pero parang wala lang lakas pa din ng trip LOL.

We left our stuff in our tents because climb would be tougher. In the woodland you would be required to use your hands to grab roots, branches and stones to pull your self up. It would be a 3 hours assault until you reach the peak of Mt. Tarak Ridge. The challenge starts from Papaya River all the way to the summit.....

Hingal!

I dont know if sa pagod to o sa pagka bangag sa alak LOL

When i feel tired I just close my eyes, breathe and to listen to the sounds of the nature for 10 to 15 seconds.

And I will feel better. That is the blessing of nature.

The Sunny Day

Always extend your hands to help others....

The climb is getting technical....

My best friend called this trail "Ungoy-Unguyan" because we were like monkey holding trees.

Finally I could see now the Tarak Ridge after the "Ungguyan Trail"

And there's still the sunrise view. A Blessed climb to ESKAPO.

Photo by AYANG

Heading to the campsite before the Ridge.

Campsite on the Ridge.

Co-mountaineers.

Tarak Ridge

The famous spot.- The Steep

Jump Shot ni Sir Jeff. On the edge.

Enjoying the view.

Another spot. "The Edge"

Without Sir Jeff I would not be this brave to seat on this edge.

Photo by Jayson Villagen.

To the peak...

Kulitan times..

Jackie Vargas

We thought once we get to the ridge there's no longer hard trail, But its more difficult.

Entering the mossy forest.

AKYAT PA.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Several 80 to 90 degrees assault.

There was a group descending. We had to stop and gave way to them because the trail was congested.

Orchid in the mossy forest

One of the four famous mountain in the Philippines Moutains.(By Sir Gideon of Pinoymountaineers) Trees in Mt. Batulao, Gulugud Baboy, Tarak Ridge and Mt. Pulag.

After the famous tree in Tarak. We entered a dense forest where trees are small. There's no trail in this short forest your guide is to reach the boulders. We had to bent our knees and walked gradually because trees were thorny that could cause bruises.
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