Hike to Tarak Ridge: A Lesson on Taking Breaks and Breaths

Nanay Cording

"When you feel like you can no longer go on, stop, turn around, look back on the trail behind you, and take a deep breath." These were the wise words of Nanay Cording, orienting the first-time hikers to Tarak ridge. If I think about it, these are words I should be living by.

The trek to Tarak Ridge was not easy (see travel notes below), especially for the unprepared. What helped me were the preparation I had had a week before when I went on a hike to both Pico de Loro and Mt. Talamitam on the same day and Nanay Cording's words of wisdom. A couple of times, I did feel like my head was going to burst, but I would compose myself, pause, look back and take a deep breath.