On Top Of The World

It surely must feel to be on top of the world to get to a thousand meters above sea level...this is what I am about to relate when the Sosyal Klaymers went for their first major climb at Mount Tarak.

Mount Tarak Ridge is at the western side of Mt. Mariveles where it is jagged and rocky, the climb is steep but along the way, one catches a glimpse of Manila Bay and the historic island of Corregidor. Tarak, it is said, comes from tarik which is steep in the vernacular and tabak, aka hunting knife in tagalog. The ridge is located in Mariveles, a cove at the southernmost tip of Bataan and, from historical accounts, it was a “refilling stop for merchant ships" as they approached Manila Bay. Its name is a derivation from Maria Velez, the lady monk who lived in the forests at the tip of “a peninsula across the Manila Bay corridor,” after being separated from her priest-lover, thus the legend goes.

Mariveles today hosts “the country's first economic zone, first petrochemical industrial estate and plastic city (a petrochemical down stream industrial zone specializing in polyethylene sheets), a grain handling terminal (ATI-SMC) and an integrated footwear manufacturing plants based in the zone.” All these account for its classification as a first class municipality of Bataan.

The Sosyal Klaymers chose Mt. Tarak for their first major climb on the weekend of 31 July to 1 August, taking the super cat from the Mall of Asia to Orion, then a 30 minute drive to Barangay Alas-Asin in Mariveles. The three adventurous klaymers braving the rains and possibly a typhoon were Julius, Merv and Ayie, joining them were climbers who called themselves Tribung Kalat.

The Adventurous Group

Mount Tarak Ridge is an eco-tourism park, a popular destination among climbers especially first timers considering that there are two camp sites in the area, one by Papaya River and the other by the ridge. However, the ridge alone is 1,006 meters above sea level (MASL), the peak is further up about 1,120 MASL. The stats did not deter them, nor did the estimated 6 hours to reach the ridge where they would set up camp. At the start, it was an easy trek, the ascent was gradual, a mountain view was visible as they trekked while behind them was a scenic view of Manila Bay. They trudge on the muddy trail stopping for photo ops and admiring the flora and fauna they saw along the way.

The Trail

Mountain view from the trail

Scenic view of Manila Bay

They had been hiking for nearly 4 hours in relatively easy terrain when it rained...they needed to stop to put on their raincoats...a short respite before venturing on the ascent once more. More picture-taking as they rest their feet.The heavy downpour made the trail more slippery and added weight to their already heavy backpacks...but they slogged on knowing that they were on track to the ridge camp site. But the footpath became steeper after they passed the Papaya River. The trek was getting to be more difficult...the group helped each other and held on to the roots and the sturdy root-stems (bagging in the dialect) hanging from the trees as they climbed. There was thick vegetation cover and trees, but as long as there was a path to tread on they continued on their ascent...with smiles on their faces, optimistic they would reach the ridge. The lush forest helped protect the climbers from the winds coming from the China sea.

Helping hand during ascent

Happy Klaymers

At last! A clearing...as they stood upright from their climb, they saw the camp site from where they stood. Up there the visibility was zero...it was like they (the climbers) “were standing on top of a thick fog!” It was an ecstatic feeling...reaching the ridge. Yes...they made it...their very first major climb! The three sosyal klaymers would have jumped for joy like they usually do upon reaching their destination but they were in a state of disbelief...maybe the effect of the fog...very tired and hungry to boot!

V-sign! On Top of the World

Zero visibility of the world below

Time to set up camp...feast on dinner of sinigang na baboy, a Filipino soup dish complete with local veggies to warm their bodies drenched by the rain and sweat...and of course it’s carousing time and drinking spree...then a good night sleep on “the foggy cold ridge.” Tomorrow will be relaxing...no one thought of the peak...they were reserving that for another day. They would stop by Papaya River and leisurely spend the day going down Mt.Tarak Ridge...taking a dip in the clear waters of the river...sit by the rocks in reminisce...before heading for home.

Papaya River

...and so they did.