Getting ready for another awesome spelunking adventure inside SUMAGUING CAVE here in Sagada!
Sumaguing Cave is about 500 feet deep and said to be the deepest cave in the Philippines and it is huge like there are hundreds of people inside touring the cave, and not just regular touring as in walking, you need to get a grip and be ready with your head lights because you need to give your 100% effort and full strength. At first, I was really excited because this is my first ever spelunking adventure LOL and I wonder how it feels so, here I am going down the line with all these people that will explore inside of the cave.
It feels like you are going to go on a creepy battle inside this cave.
We are briefed with our tour guide that we will be going inside together by groups and we are not alone, there are many groups of people inside so we just need to stick together and be careful because the way is very steep. When we got inside it was dark, the only lights that I can see were the gas lamps of the tour guides per group and some people who brought their own flashlights and head lights which I am not prepared to bring with me (so that is the first tip) and I was like jeez I should have brought something useful here.
The cave is huge I feel like I am inside of one of my cave in Minecraft and there will be an Enderman beside me later (TRUE! HAHA). Sam (my hub) is not with me that time because he can't do spelunking. His knees are not ready that time so I am alone and I will face this alone. (LOL) The first steps descending was really steep like approximately 30 to 45 degrees slope (I'm not that good at this slope thing but I can try) and you really need to hold the rocks beside you while stepping down. Inside the cave, there are many crevices, dark crevices and dark ravines with bats! (I am literally talking Minecraft here haha) It's a relief that I am with so many people, the thing is you can't really take a good picture anywhere without someone lurking in your background but it's okay for as long as you are not alone.
picture with the other groups ;D
There are ancient stalagmites and stalactites around with each story. I was amazed that these stones were created thousands of years and they are magnificent.
beautiful :)
our tour guide said this is a private part, it looks like it LOL
clear spring water coming from the mountains
the stone formations are really smooth, amazing view.
Our cameras were not that good at taking in dark places so almost all of our shots are blurry and our camera guy's hands were shaking haha anyway, It was nice to have some blurry pictures than nothing at all.
all smiles
trying to finish the level 1 challenge
me and my group
going down that big smooth stone formation
Another challenging thing here is you are barefoot and you need to go up and down on smooth stones and finish the spelunking challenge. One of the very hard part for me was you need to go down a small ravine with a rope. A rope! Just a rope and you need to go up again like wall climbing 90-degree angle. I was like, I have tried to do wall climbing with some stepping stones to guide me and a harness. It was challenging to go down but especially to climb with just a rope and to think that this is just a level 1 spelunking. Wow.
I came inside the cave like a very clean entity and came back like a muddy thing HAHA and it felt good! Can you believe that! I walk to the steepest slope that I ever saw, I climb up and down with just a rope, I swim and got muddy on some crevices that we need to go through in order to come out on that cave. It was amazing. It is very scary and amazing at the same time.
all smiles!
people inside the cave
we took some random photos with some other groups touring the cave
here's me posing with this ancient beautiful rock formation
we did it!
and that was a wrap! my trophy was the mud, scratches and small wounds on my feet and it was all worth it. To see how beautiful Sumaguing Cave was and to try how it feels to do spelunking. Another check on my bucket list. I was proud of myself and all of those who came inside the cave and finished that journey. Thumbs up! It was an amazing Minecraft adventure :D
So for some tips before going inside this humongous cave:
Bring a head light for you to clearly see your way inside. Camera flash is not advisable because you need to hold it and you must free your hands of anything because you need it in climbing up and down.
Wear comfortable clothes. I wore a rash guard (long sleeves) for my top and a spandex legging and it was perfect for me because you will definitely get wet and it is a bit cold inside the cave.
Do not wear any pieces of jewelry or accessories you don't want to lose it while you are struggling to climb a wall.
Bring a waterproof camera.
Make sure you ate just the right amount of meal and warm up before entering the cave.
Presence of mind and always be alert.
Enjoy!
Hope these help for you to be ready for your Sumaguing Cave Adventure!
Until my next blog post. See you all.
💗 Tsokoletmint