My Last Climb... Part 1

It took place at Mt. Mariveles, doon sa Tarak ridge. It was planned on December 16-17, 2006. This would probably my last climb...until I go independent and leave our house. My father and I got into a heated discussion about my mountain climbing escapades. He gave me an ultimatum and made me choose whether to:

a. Do not join the Tarak trip but you can still climb whatever mountain you like, PROVIDED it's near (Pico, Batulao, Maculot, Makiling, Banahaw, Cristobal, Sembrano, etc.)

b. Climb Tarak and never climb again.

I chose B. The thought of climbing with my closest climbing friends and walking Tarak ridge made me choose this option. And when I saw Tarak, I knew I made the right decision. See the pictures below (thanks Edwin!)

Atop Tarak ridge with the group. Whattahair kaming lahat! Etong si Edwin mala-machete look ampowtek! Haha! Thanks for the pics!

Astig 'tong pic na 'to kasi, yung sinasandalan namin na bato ni Maez, if you go overboard, e talagang mahuhulog ka na sa bangin. Ayan kami, sobrang lakas ng hangin, kaya one wrong step could prove fatal. Hanep sa sindak no? Hehe.









Again, one of my favorite pictures. That's me, Maez, and Viv, higher on the Tarak ridge. Super lakas ng hangin kaya check out our hair! As in! Tapos nakakatakot kasi baka matangay ka, e bangin pa naman yun...






I love the Philippines! Oo, sa Pilipinas 'tong ganitong kagandang lugar.











Kung paano namin tinahak ang landslide. Oo,kelangan namin bumababa diyan sa vertical area na yan. Gumamit pa kami ng ropes.









The whole climbing group. Dami no? Ang saya :)





The feeling was so exhilarating! After ascending the steep part of Mt. Mariveles, we arrived on the cogon area. Ang ganda! As in puro cogon lang makikita mo, swaying in the strong wind. Tapos ang ganda talaga. I cried in it's beauty. I let myself bask in the sunlight's rays and let the wind pass through my face. I reached this area alone. I prayed to God and thanked Him for making all things beautiful. After that, I went straight to the ridge, climbed a little higher, stared and marveled at the beauty of the Tarak ridge, the clouds (na kapantay na namin), and the spectacular view.

It was a feeling and a moment I will never forget. Actually I still remember all my climbs. And I think that through this, I am able to talk with God openly and serenely. Sarap ng feeling. We also went to Papaya river, ewan ko ba kung bakit tinawag na Papaya river yun, e wala naman ni isang puno ng papaya! Ano ba naman 'yun, haha!

We took a dip at the papaya river and camped near it. Syempre, naka-bikini ako! Haha! Tinake advantage ko na no, it's not like everyday I can swim in crystal clear waters, which is also potable. Thank God hindi ako nag-tae or anything, asteeeg :D Ganda grabe... Wala pa akong pics e, pero i-uupload ko rin yun, hehe. Ang lamig ng tubig! Pero sobrang clear talaga! Wow... That place was so pristine...

Abangan ang part 2... hehe :)