Freedom Climb- Tarak Ridge

Mountrails # 10
Tarak Ridge
June 12-13, 2010 (Freedom Climb)
Mariveles, Bataan
Groups: Take Five Hikers with Singles for Christ


For the first freedom climb that Take Five Hikers will join into, Tarak Ridge is a perfect destination. Tarak Ridge is one of the famous hiking destinations in Bataan, alongside Mt. Natib and Mt. Samat. Other outdoor activities that Bataan offers are beachineering and visiting the other famous landmarks and churches.
Climbing up Tarak Ridge for 2010 Freedom Climb, we expected that many groups will also climb this mountain and for this reason, we planned to leave Manila early morning of June 12. At exactly 2:30 A.M, we left Jollibee Edsa Guadalupe. We reached Bataan at 5:00 A.M and had our breakfast. After we had our breakfast and bought food for lunch, we went to Mariveles. We were already in the jump off in Brgy. Alas- asin at 6:30 A.M. True to the tips that other climbers had gave us, the trail of Tarak Ridge starts at an easy trail that will give some climbers a little bit tiresome feeling before a steep trail. Before we enter the forested part of the trail, we passed by the house of Aling Mareng. After a short break, we proceeded to Papaya River to have our lunch. When we arrived in Papaya River, we noticed some trashes near the river. Papaya River, being the last water source to fetch in, we refilled all the water bottles that we had to prepare ourselves for a long trek. I noticed that the trail of Tarak Ridge was generally clean. Some parts of the trail were steep but we held on to the roots of the trees to survive the trails.
After the steep parts of the trail but before the campsite, a clear view of the Bataan province greeted us. It was like a reward to us after an almost 9 hours of trekking. We saw the Mariveles, Corregidor Island, Batangas, Cavite and Manila. At 4:00 P.M, we reached the campsite.
At night before we sleep, we indulged ourselves for some stargazing. It was a perfect night for us because there were no clouds that obscured the views of stars and the lightings of Bataan province. Though the night was not that cold, it was not that warm either; just right for us to fall asleep after a tiring trek.
At 4:00 A.M of June 13, we woke up to prepare for our breakfast and to catch up the sunset. Albeit we were not made it to the summit due to time constraints, the views of the sunrise from the campsite were amazing and perfect for picture taking ^_^. After we had our breakfast, we talked with other climbers who also joined the freedom climb. We also cited a creed about the importance of taking care of our nature as well as giving respect to our independence. It was the first time that we joined such event and we look to join the succeeding event climbs with the same purpose ^_^.
At 9:00 A.M, we started to trek down to Papaya River where we dipped in and had our lunch. The waters in Papaya River were cold but still fun to take a short dip. After we had our lunch, we resumed our trek down to Brgy. Alas-asin. We reached the Brgy. Alas-asin at 4:00 P.M and tidy up at the Brgy. hall before we have our way to Manila.




Kaisipan Pagkatapos ng Akyat

Ang akyat na ito, sa pakikiisa namin sa ibang umaakyat ng bundok, para sa pagdiriwang ng ating Kalayaan ay isang paraan upang gunitain natin ang ating mga bayani at ang diwa ng ating Kalayaan. Hindi lamang natin maaring ipakita ang ating pagkakaisa sa pamamagitan ng pagtaas ng ating watawat bagkus ay naipapakita rin natin ang kahalagahan ng ating Kalayaan saanmang dako tayo ng Pilipinas o sa ibang bansa, sa bundok man o sa dagat o sa kapatagan.



_Cory_ Nov. 21, 2010