Tarak Traverse Dayhike

TARAK RIDGE
Mariveles, Bataan
Jump off point: Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles
LLA: 14°30.357′N, 120°30′E, 1,006 MASL (ridge); 1,130 MASL (peak)
Days required / Hours to summit: 2 days, 5-6 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3

**Source
Pinoymountaineer.com

The group a few minutes after we start.

Ive been wanting to experience the trail to Mt Mariveles peak via paniquian river for months. Just like Mt Palali, this peak is always elusive. Something always happen to abort the hike. This time with the right group of people and with strong determination and luck, We finally nailed it. We did the Tarak Circuit Loop.

The start of the cogon grass trail to paniquian river

The climb was made possible by Team Look up and our guide Bernie ,and our driver Mac. The traverse or loop was possible for a dayhike via commute if your climbing with veterans and strong hikers. For newbie and not so strong and your at least 10, It would be better if  you can rent a service. That way , the transportation going back home should not be a problem in case you experience some delays.

Entry to Paniquian River on top of Paniquian waterfalls

The trail was not that difficult if you are an experienced hiker, but for the new ones, of course it would be a challenge for them. From the paniquian river you need to walk on rocks so maintain your balance, one slip and who knows what would happened. From the falls the trail was all uphell with some bouldering along the way at least it was forested to help you with the heat. The final stretch to the summit more like 10 to 15 minutes open trail. You can sea the entire mariveles sea at the background. From the summit you can either pass in El Saco Peak or back trail a little then turn left to the tarakridge.

The Paniquian River

Sllaj Falls

From the ridge to the papaya river it was all downhill. From papaya river to exit point it was an easy rolling terrain. You can finish it within an hour or more than an hour depends on your pace.

Uphell trail to summit

Open trail to the peak

The Tree at the Tarak Peak

Tarak Ridge

For guide please contact Bernie : 09198114849

Group Pics at the Peak

A link of the blog who help me get in touch with the guide. Thanks sir.

http://iamnoempty.weebly.com/1/post/2013/04/tarak-ridge-reverse-traverse-dayhike.html

Hike You Remember

Mt Manabu Circuit Loop

Mt Manabu to Biak na Bundok to Mt Manabu Jump off via hidden trail

For the past months , Ive been hiking with my new found group that was not so veterans yet in terms of hiking experience. And they gave me some contentment and new found wisdom in my hiking sense. Climbing with veterans is another experience, you will not worried that much with your companion because you know that they know what they're doing and can finish the trek without much issue. However with the group of newbie, the experience is totally different. You need to look on each and everyone of them and see if they need rest, if they can still continue, which one is having problems with his/her load. Being a climb leader for two different groups means you need to adapt with different persons and situations, and that will make you more matured and somehow be a better version of you.

Mt Manabu Summit

The initial plan was to traverse the Manabu to Malipunyo. However , I have not been climbing with the group that I will lead before. So I set up their expectations that we will hike to Mt Manabu first, once we reached the summit, will check if they can still continue to hike for 5 to 7 hours to complete the traverse. I reached out to my friend Mario the reliable guide of Malipunyo traverse and told him the plan. He suggested that we can push until biak na bundok and they made a circuit back to Manabu jump off without doing a back trail . We like the idea, and for the first time we do the Manabu circuit loop.

At Biak na Bundok. Picture courtesy of Mahki Hugz

Mang Mario the realiable guide of the entire Malarayat mountain range. Pics courtesy of Mahki Hugz

 

 

 

 

 

According to Mang Mario theres a new traverse that will exit to Tiaong Quezon. Also theres a trail that will exit to San Pablo via sky way and the easiest traverse would be the exit to Malipunyo or Manabu.

Inside the Manabu Circuit. A wide open space.Pics courtesy of Mahki Hugz

At the finish line. Pics courtesy of Mahki Hugz

Special thanks to Mang Mario for assisting us to finish the circuit. To Ate Linda for providing us a delicious meal to dig into after the hike. And for new friends and climb buddy. See you again at the trail..

This was indeed a hike to remember.