Trekking Tarak Ridge in Mariveles

Province of Bataan

Day 01: 17 September 2011

Probably one, if not, the most challenging major climb I ever had.

Walking to the Ranger Station

I'm proud and happy to have climbed Mt. Tarak with very good friends and of course with the legendary Sir Sky Biscocho himself.

Ranger station

While the climb was really very challenging, it was equally challenging for a novice photographer like me to take good shots of the scenes but thanks again to a heavy and nice DSLR camera, I was still able to get some nice shots even under a heavy rain.

We left Manila onboard Genesis bus at 2:00AM. We were all 15, our guides and Sir Sky Biscocho with his companion included. Everyone was so excited about the climb. We reached the jump-off point in Bataan at 5:30AM and started the trek at 6:00AM.

Steep and Slippery Trail

The first part of the trek going to Paniquian falls was quite easy. We passed through a forested area and then a beautiful landscape covered with cogon grass. When we started the trek, it was cloudy with scattered rain showers. We had a stop at the middle of trail for a rest, photo shoots and to regroup.

River Crossing

A few minutes after resuming our trek to Paniquian falls, there was a heavy down-pour and it turned foggy. This part of the trek is the longest for about 5 hours from jump-off point to Paniquian falls.

Regrouping

We reached Paniquian falls at about 10AM. Everyone was so happy to see the falls and feel the cool and clear waters. We continued trekking upstream. Crossing the stream of water flowing down from the falls under the rain, the rocks and stones were slippery making it challenging for most of us. We reached the Sllaj falls few minutes after 12PM and had relaxing lunch.

Trek to Paniquian Falls

Paniquian Falls

The trek from this point going to the camp site was the most difficult and challenging part. Climbing up a very slippery rocky steep trail carrying at least 11 kilograms of back-pack is a little scary at first.

Rope Segment

Camp Site

We reached the camp site past 4PM and the rain gets heavier and it also gets colder. Everyone was wet.After pitching our camp, we had a nice dinner and had a good night sleep. No more socials. More photos.

Day 02: 18 September 2011

We started trekking the following day at 8AM climbing up to the Japanese garden. We had a challenging steep climb once more. It was quite hard to climb on the rocky steep trail carrying a heavier wet back-pack full of wet clothes, earth pad, etc.

Japanese Garden

It was very cloudy and windy at the Japanese garden so we didn't see the nice landscape from above. We continued climbing up until we reached the Tarak peak finally.

A Favorite Photo Spot

Descending to the Ranger Station

We started our descent past 10AM, passing through a forested part of the mountain and reached Papaya River at 1PM. We stopped there for lunch. We continued our descent passing through muddy and slippery trail leading to Alasasin.

Back at the Ranger Station

We were all back to the jump-off point past 4PM. More photos.

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