Where is Cagayan Valley and Penablanca?
During my January through March trip to the Philippines I traveled further a fi eld than usual seeking new caving opportunities. Glen Malliet, a well known caver from Northern California, my lead climber Rawen, another neighbor and I drive twelve hours North East into the base of the Sierra Madre Mountain range, which is not too far from the Pacific Ocean side on the capital island of Luzon. Rawen had been in contact by cell phone and email with a modest outdoor club operating under the auspices of the Sierra Madre Outdoor Club. Accepting their invitation we provisioned, packed and departed not knowing what to expect.
Upon arriving we were greeted by three members of the club and to our delight found them to be in the forty to fi fty year age category. Caving is only beginning to take off in the Philippines and most of the members are young. In fact they just had their 8th annual caving congress if that is an indication.
Cagayan Valley is a huge farming delta known for its extensive rice fields and the municipality of Penablanca, although only a small town, is the largest land area wise in the province of Cagayan. This municipality claims to sport some three hundred caves of which only seventy or so have been explored. This thought left us salivating. We lodged at the provincial tourism authority’s resort occupying two inexpensive rooms for the equivalent of US$10.00 each nightly.
When we arrived it was raining and the next day it continued. We had come from Pangasinan Province where the dry season is at least six months long only to discover theirs is only a possible three. Walking down the hill we sought passage across the Pinakanawen River doing three caves in one day, but in the rain of course. Our primary guide was only fifteen years old. When asked how long he had been guiding he told us eight years. Yes, they really start training guides young due to economic concerns and ecology. We were impressed by his dialogue while guiding us.
The next morning we were preparing to go vertical when the tourism authority told us the water was rising and could soon be over the only bridge in and out. Taking their advice we drove back to the one large provincial city named Tuguegarao where our sponsors introduced us to the Philippine’s premier cave photographer by the name of Cheng Guzman. Our rapport was almost instant so we agreed to return later next year. Cheng would refine us in his cave photography style while Glen would head up cave mapping courses and expeditions. My job would be to assess and train on SRT while assisting the others in exploration, cave assessment and mapping. That sounds like a lot to bite off but we are excited.
As a caveat the club members requested I bring Alaminos longaniza, which is a none too healthy but a delicious pork sausage known throughout the islands. Additionally I pledged a whole case of Spanish brandy that only costs U$2.00 a bottle but is dear to their hearts.
I can hardly wait!
by Charley Nelson, SoCalGrotto's The Explorer, June 2008
Cover: Daniel Veelik takes a squeeze through Thunder Canyon and the cover two months in a row.
Photo by: Kyle Baker
