EXPLORING
PAMITINAN and WAWA DAM
By: Nickson Garcia
It has been two months since my last climb and because I backed out at Mt. Damas last January, it made me more eager to climb mountain
again. A week prior to 23rd of February, I together with some BPs
planned to climb Mt. Pamitinan but due to some reasons, all of them backed out.
On the morning of 23rd, I was inform by BP Isabel that she can’t
make it and instead gave the number of Amber whom she informed about the
planned climb. I immediately texted Amber and asked whether she is still
interested to pursue the climb, in which she responded positively.
A
BP MEETS “DIWATANG GALA”
I’ve known Amber (a.k.a Diwatang Gala based on her
blogsite) for a year when she joined a BP climb last March 2013 at Mt. Humarap.
The thing that reminded me of her was that she climbed Mt. Tapulao alone and on
a dayhike and that made her, for me, a hardcore mountaineer. It was proven
during our Mt. Humarap climb because she was leading the pack while everyone
else was behind and catching some air. Due to this and two months of climb
absence, I know that I will be up for a difficult challenge.
 |
| Rodriguez (Montalban) Tourism Office Annex |
We met at Mcdonalds Gateway at around 8:00am and
rode an FX bound to Montalban, Rizal, We arrived at Wawa Dam at exactly 9:30am
and there we met our guide named Junie, whom I previously informed of our
intended climb at Mt. Pamitinan. After few minutes of preparation, we then
embarked on our first activity…PAMITINAN
CAVE!
PAMITINAN
CAVE
Located at Sitio Wawa,
Barangay San Rafael, Rodriguez (formerly Montalban), Rizal, the cave is within
Mt. Pamitinan. History dictates that it served as one of the hiding sites
of Andres Bonifacio and some Katipuneros during the Spanish occupation.
 |
| At the entrance of the cave |
According to the Tourism
Office, it was supposed to be closed indefinitely but we were fortunate enough that
Kuya Junie talked with the DENR personnel, prior to our arrival, which resulted
to them allowing us to explore the cave.
Stalagmites and stalactites,
ceiling measuring up to 30feet high and some waters, ranging from foot to below-the-knee
deep are apparent especially in the first few meters of the cave. Also, rubber
pipes can be found lying on the path. It is where the locale receives their
water source. Amber and I were both amazed on the crystal like rocks of the
cave and how it was formed.
The cave was not entirely
level grounded but ascending. The technical and most challenging part happened,
mostly, on its end part. We were crawling and dragging each other up into these
small holes just to get to the other side. Luckily, we were all “slim and
physically fit” (kidding). The helmet really helped me a lot because I’ve been
head butting the rocks one after another.
 |
| the "Bulwagan" |
At the “end” of the cave is
what they called “the Bulwagan”. It served as the meeting place of Andres
Bonifacio and the Katipuneros to discuss matters and plans on their next move
against their enemies. According to Kuya Junie, if we continue until the farthest
end of the cave, we will find a falls but for safety reason we did not push
thru with it. He said that it would require us to swim then recommended that it
would be safer during summer (So I guess, I will be returning this summer to
finish the cave).
Here is something I learned
from Kuya Junie about the waters of Pamintinan Cave. During summer, we can push
thru until the falls and during rainy seasons, waters on the first few meters
of the cave can measure up to waist deep which would obviously mean that the
falls will be unreachable as well.
I considered this as one of
the best caves I’ve been, sadly, it was never fully taken care of. I commend
that the cave was clean from trashes (maybe there is but I haven’t seen any
that time) but definitely noticed numerous wall writings. Hopefully, with
proper maintenance and security, the beauty of the cave will someday be
restored. We ended our cave exploration at 12nn or after two hours then
proceeded to eat our lunch near the Tourism Office.
MT. PAMITINAN TRAVERSE (Sitio Sto. Nino to Sitio Kayropa)
After a very quick lunch, at
exactly 1:30pm, we started our climb to Mt. Pamintinan. Kuya Junie told us that
it would take less than 3 hours up to the summit.
Our jumpoff started at
Sitio Niño by crossing a hanging bridge and passing by several houses thru
stairs. It made me reminisce on our Mt. Humarap climb. According to Kuya Junie,
rock climbing is a common activity on this mountain. He showed us several rock
climbing spots specially designed for beginners and advance climbers. After half
an hour of ascending, we finally achieve the halfway mark. I guess Kuya Junie
underestimated us or I was just pressured on how fast Amber is.
 |
| Amber, with cystrals on the trail |
The second half of the
climb was different for it was more of “BOULDERneering”. This was the part
where all of us where vigilant. The trail suddenly changed and it became hard
and dangerous. There are some areas that required us to rock climb and the rocks
we are stepping became sharp and pointed. I strongly suggest climbers to wear
thick shoes. I was very cautious and nervous as I complete the mountain. The
wind was strong and there are instances where we stretched our legs just to
step on the next rock. We arrived on the summit at around 3pm or an hour and
half of hike.
 |
| Summit |
 |
| Individual summit shots |
The summit was dangerously small
and for safety reasons, it can only accommodate few people, like five. I admit
that at the summit, I was just steadily sitting while Amber and Kuya Junie kept
on standing and posing for pictures. I never had an experience in climbing
where I felt wobbly at top. Imagine the view wherein just by looking on either
on your right or left shoulder, you will instantly see the bottom view.
WAWA
DAM
Instead of descending on the same route, Kuya Junie
decided to descend to a different trail since we were way advance in time. This
trail led us directly to Sitio Kayropa were the other side of Wawa Dam is
located. It was a Sunday and there were lots of people, mostly families,
spending their day together. Cottages for rent and videoke are readily
available for a fee. I was ready to wash in the Wawa Dam itself but due to
limited time, we just took some pictures.
 |
| Sitio Kayropa |
 |
| Wawa Dam |
 |
| Waterfalls at Wawa Dam |
 |
| With Kuya Junie |
HOW
TO GET THERE:
From Cubao Aurora Blvd, ride an FX or Jeepney bound
to Montalban, Rizal. Ask the driver to drop you at Eastwood or in my case, I
told the driver to drop us in the terminal. The travel will be an hour and
half. From Eastwood, ride a Jeepney or Tricycle going to Wawa Dam.
EXPENSES
FX Cubao to Montalban : PhP50.00
Tricycle Montalban (Eastwood) to Wawa Dam : PhP10.00 or Jeepney : PhP8.00
NO ENTRANCE
FEE
Helmet Rental :
PhP50.00
Lunch :
PhP165.00 divided by 2
Guide Fee :
PhP300.00 divided by 2 persons (No minimum guide fee)
Jeepney Wawa Dam to Montalban (Eastwood) : PhP8.00 or Tricycle : PhP10.00
FX Montalban to Cubao : PhP50.00
PERSONAL
NOTES
 |
| Mt. Pamitinan (left) and Mt. Binacayan (right) |
Kuya Junie's Cellphone number 09295497211(smart)
Wawa Dam area:
1.
Sari-sari stores are EVERYWHERE!
Pamitinan
Cave:
1.
Bring headlight or flashlight. Helmets are
limited so it would be better to bring one, if available.
2.
Expect your feet to be wet.
Mt.
Pamitinan:
1.
Bring hand protection like gloves.
2.
Wear thick shoes or foot wear.
3.
Be extra careful
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