The Unaccomplished Calling in Mt. Samat and Tarak Ridge

I planned to have my first major climb for the year 2014 in Bataan.  I admitted that I did a little research about the place and work-around on the area because I have faith that things will just go smoothly as long as you know how to ask the right questions to the right people.  I think having too much faith on humanity wouldn’t help always.  That is the lesson I’ve learned after this epic trip in Bataan.

Mt. Samat

Two friends of mine will be coming from Zambales and will go directly to the jump off of Mt. Samat on our scheduled trip, on the other hand, Lyka, Hazy and I will be coming from Manila.  We arrived in Bataan at 9 in the morning since the travel time will take around 3 hours.  From where we alight, we rode a tricycle going to Balanga Terminal and rode another jeepney bound to Cabog – Cabog.

The jeepney will pass the foot of Mt. Samat where tricycles are in lined.  You have the option to hire a tricycle to take you to Mt. Samat or walk at least 7KM to reach it.

At this point, we have to consider the time left for us since we also planned to do our climb on the same day to Tarak Ridge.  What surprises us is the fee for hiring the tricycle.  I know that 7 KM is considerably a bit long but not very long enough to cost P100 PER PERSON and One way.  As we talked calmly to the tricycle drivers and haggle with them, we clearly felt that they are trying to take advantage to the thought that we are not from their place and that we are in a hurry.

We still end up, hiring a tricycle because of the situation but I admit that I was totally disappointed with how my countrymen treated us, as if we are not also Filipinos.

When we reached Mt. Samat, we have informed that there is a tour going on. The place is crowded and going to the top of the cross would take you an hour and another hour to go down.

I opted to go. Instead, I stayed down the cross and tried to appreciate what my eyes can only reached from where I sit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We descended Mt. Samat and crossed the Dunsulan Falls from our itinerary due to monetary reasons. The tricycle drivers are asking too much fees.

Before heading to Tarak Ridge, we started to take our lunch to the near eatery from the foot of Mt. Samat.

 

 

We rode another tricycle back to the highway and rode a bus bound to Mariveles.  We alight in Brgy. Alas-Asin and registered to the baranggay hall.

 

Drop off point

Brgy. Alas-Asin, Registration Area

We tried asking for the rate of a porter.  What they have offered is a 15 year old kid that is asking for P2000 for each person.  We have asked the local officials if those were the rates and they surprisingly said that it was just fine with a following statement, “Ganyan talaga dito sa Bataan”. The heck.  We proceeded without a guide nor a porter.

Jump-off for Mt. Tarak Ridge

I was still praying that we will be able to get at least one porter to carry the bag of one of us since she already mentioned that she will really be needing one.

 

 

 

 

Thank God, he answered my prayers quickly.  While walking to the wide road of Tarak, I saw a man holding a bunch of woods on his shoulder.  I asked him if he can be a porter..  When he said yes, I told him of the amount that we can and if it is okay with him.  Surprisingly, he said yes and brought another friend of him to help him with the other bags. Thank God that there are still people there who has heart for us. Meet our heroes, Darwin and Cris

The Tarak Ridge

It wasn’t a good start, I admit, but that doesn’t mean that it has to end bad as well right?

We started almost lunch time, the time where the sun give its’ hottest shot.  Sunblock has been useless, the water we have in our bags did not even quenched our thirst.

 

 

The rooty and rocky trail of Tarak

We were able to reached the Papaya River which serves as a campsite for most.  We even attempted to camp at the ridge instead but most of the mountaineers who are staying in Papaya River said that there are hundreds of campers at the top already. We might not be able to get a good camping ground either.

The night has been a warm one for us.

 

We all agreed to wake up as early as 4 in the morning the next day as we wanted to watch the sunrise at the ridge.

Mavie, Hazy and Lyka, scrambling through the rocky and loose soil of Tarak

Most of us are aware of the trail signs.  We did follow these trail signs that could direct us to the right trail going to the trail.  When we reached the point where we don’t see the ribbons anymore and when the trail gets steeper and we almost kiss the wall, we knew, this isn’t the right trail.

“We are lost.” we admitted.

We tried our best to descend safe and tried to get the easiest trail at that time. But the trail we took is totally steep composing with dried leaves, thorny branches and so much obstacles.

All of us decided to head back to the campsite, take our breakfast and make a comeback hike next time.

 

 

My first major hike was my first major detrailed experience as well. Oh, so sad but not so bad. As they say, “If things went bad, it is okay, just count it to your experience and learn from it.”

 

Here’s the link of my sweet come back hike to this mountain -( https://joeyinwanderland.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/mt-tarakridge/)

NOTE:

Here’s the number of the two porters for a cheaper cost: (Make sure not to mention them to the Barangay because they might charge these two kind men.  They are just locals you can meet once you pass the second registration going up to the mountain)

Cris – 09481206687

Darwin – 09483496829

 

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Breakdown of Expenses:

Manila to Bataan         –           P200.00

Tricycle Balanga to Terminal – P10.00/each

Terminal to Jump off of Mt. Samat – P40.00

Tricycle from Jump off to Mt. Samat – P100.00/oneway each

Mt. Samat Registration – P20.00

Mt. Samat to Balanga – P20.00

Balanga to Brgy. Alas asin – P75.00

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