Induction Climb | January 2012

Induction Climb | January 2012

by EJ Soriano, UEM Member
Tarak Ridge Bataan, Brgy. Alas-asin

January 28-29, 2012

UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST MOUNTAINEERS (UEM) inducted a new set of probationary at MT. TARAK RIDGE last January 28-29, 2012 with the complete requirements, necessarily imposed by the organization.

We headed off first at Baranggay Hall to register and then look for a carenderia so we can take our breakfast. And after bogus-jobus and everything IT’S SHOWTIME. 

MT. TARAK what can I say? Well the very first time I set my eyes on it I know from the bottom of my hypothalamus that I am so madly and deeply in love with it. haha.

The long trail started on a concrete road that seems like unending. Nonetheless it’s still beautiful out there, and I’m so excited to get to summit like crazy. My heart was pounding hard, because this is the moment I’ve been waiting for like forever. I know that my co-batch mates feel the same way too. Don’t you? J haha. Well, getting back at the story, after walking for almost an hour we ended up at this small bahay-kubo wherein Nanay Cording and her family live in.  At first we were hesitant to stay because we thought that they will gonna’ ask us for another payment, but she didn’t. So we logged in, then we continued the journey. As time passed by, the view get to become prettier and splendid, and every step I take became tougher to the grassland and then to the woods again. Until to a point where there is an elevated cliff, wherein you’ll need to go down and push yourself up again, PUSSSHHHHHHHHH.

PAPAYA RIVER, yipeeeeee. J As we reached the papaya river I was so relieved because I know that sooner or later we’ll be on the summit. We had our lunch there, and rest for a bit, while admiring how breathtaking the falls and the surrounding are.

We prayed before leaving, thanks GOD for a beautiful weather. J And here comes the big deal. The trail was mostly steep where we needed to hold on to branches and roots for support. And it’s getting more difficult as we get near the summit; the slope seems to get steeper and steeper every step I take. Waaaaaaaaaaaa. I’m so freaking frustrated and worn out, but even though my mind and body keep saying to just give up still my heart never stop beating motivating me to never give up. I was hanging still trying to keep my pace INHALE, EXHALE, INHALE, EXHALE, thanks to my buddies who never left me alone in there. J The only thing that’s running on my mind that time is that, “KAYA KO TO!KAYA KO TO! KAYA KO TO!” so I pushed myself back up, put my head on the trail. And YEAH! IT WORKED.

Sir Pete, Sir Jules, Sir Eugene and me. J

 Sir Pete, Sir Eugene and sir Jules (with some other climbersJ)

YEY! WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE DID IT! J This picture was taken at TARAK RIDGE, isn’t it beautiful?? J EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE SO PERFECT, with the group of tree at the left that looks like broccoli to me, the sunset that almost took my breath away and the landscape of nature that seems like a fantasy. All I can say is WOW! God is really good. 

After admiring the beautiful scenery, we started to set our camp; it was pretty windy so I suggest you to bring some extra pegs and guidelines.

While waiting for the food to be cooked. We started our socials with empi lights. J “GAWIN MONG LIGHT.” 

KAINAN NA.  haha, andameng food that night, i wasn’t just able to picture it all , but we have adobong baboy, adobong pechay and menudo.  YUMYUMYUM!

SOCIALS. J INDUCTION IS OVER. J We congratulated each other, unlimited laugh, unlimited stories, weeeeeeeeeeeeeee, members na kame: J BRYAN TAMAYO,VICAR BACANI and EJ SORIANO. I’m a new me that socials, I feel like I’m one step higher with everything that I do, that I’m proud of myself, and I’m eager to know more about what life has to offer. What we had that night is an accomplishment worth remembering. After a lot of chitchats we decided to end the night, and go to our respective tents. 

EJ, new UEM member

That morning the second day we decided to get at the summit of Mt. Tarak, and this is what started my day. J It was absolutely astonishing, that it made me fell in love with it all over again.

Walking our way to the summit. With picture taking, and talking. We were actually talking about what happened that night. J haha. That night will always be in my heart. J What happened? J Well, it’s for us to know, and for you to find out. 

While standing on that rock beside the mountain, I felt like I’m invincible. LOL! It’s seems like the nature has a magnetic power to attract all your problems and take them all away. Seeing this beautiful scenery made me feel so relax and free and hungry because it really looks like a broccoli to me.lol!

We continued our descent till jump off, even though mam Chiechay got injured the group still got to handle it all together, what actually happened to her made us all learned a new lesson. WE wanted to thank those people who helped us. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. J AND also WE want to thanks NANAY CORDING for everything.

IT WAS AN ALL-OUT EXPERIENCE. J I LOVE UEM FOREVER FOR LIFE.


TARAK RIDGE ITINERARY

1ST DAY:
0530- Call Time at five star cubao via Bataan Transit
0600- ETD to Brgy. Alas-asin
0900- ETA Alas-asin Brgy. Hall (P40.00) ; Breakfast
1000- ETA Jump-off
1315- ETA Papaya falls; Lunch
1410- ETD to Tarak Ridge
1600- ETA Tarak Ridge
1630- Set camp; Picture Taking
1730- Prepare dinner
1900- Dinner
2130- Socials
0130- Lights off


2ND DAY:
0700- Wakeup call
0715- Prepare breakfast
0800- Break Camp
0930- ETD to Summit
1045- SUMMIT* (at the big rock only)
1100- Back at Campsite
1130- ETA Camp Site
1145- ETD to Papaya Falls
1300- ETA Papaya Falls
1430- ETD to Brgy Hall
1830- ETA Brgy. Hall; Shower
1900- DINNER (at nearby carenderias)
1930- ETD to Balanga via mini bus (P48.00)
2045- ETA Bataan Transit
2100- ETD to Manila
2330- ETA Manila