3rd entry of the “Sagada Chronicles”
Sagada sits on top of a vast network of interconnected caves that allows those who are brave enough to enter one cave and exit another. The Cave connection starts at the Lumiang Cave. A short trek down a valley leads you to this cave that serves as a burial site of sorts. There you will find hollowed out logs used as coffins stacked one on top of another. It was as if we were to descend into the Underworld of ancient mythology.
We had two guides both of whom carried these powerful gas powered lamps in order to light the way. It was of course pitch black and we descended down through gaps in between a large pile of huge boulders that led down deeper into the cave. We would literally squeeze into these small holes and struggle to find adequate foot-holds lest we slip straight down and end up farther than we intended and risk breaking some bones.
At one point we had to crawl down a hole and then use the rope to get down. It was at this point that Park actually started crying and she later said that it was because she has a fear of heights and enclosed spaces. I started thinking if she would have been better off with the other girls in Sumaging. But she did manage to get down and she did conquer her fears and complete the whole thing without incident.
The place was something straight out of a Hollywood movie and I was constantly reminded of the movie “The Cave” because there were pools and rivers. I saw that movie a few days before I left for Sagada and the thought of Vampires emerging out of nowhere kept creeping up inside my head. We encountered a large tranquil pool whose far edges was beyond sight, it seemed almost like an underground lake and the thought of paddling a boat crossed my mind along with the thought of hundreds of “Inferi” emerging from the water to drag you down.
There were also huge caverns with ceilings as high as that of cathedrals. We rested in one such place called the “Dance Hall” and it was really like being in a huge ballroom except that it was really dark and there were bats flying around. At one point we had to swim a short distance and when we emerged from the water we found ourselves at the edge of a ledge facing a huge cavern whose ceiling and the floor you couldn’t see even with halogen lights. A fall there would mean certain death and we had to climb up from that point without ropes and on a sheer rock, which was always wet because of the flowing water. In those times you just push the thought of falling out of your mind and just focus on the task at hand.
It was a beautiful place but at the same time it was obviously fraught with dangers. Going in without a competent guide would be almost suicidal. You can easily get lost in that vast network of caves that would seem like a maze. At one point our guide told us that turning left would lead you to a path wherein you will emerge somewhere in Echo valley. The only thing was that would take around two weeks. We were all thankful that no one got injured because getting injured in there would have been quite a problem.
We started at around 11:30 am and we emerged from Sumaging cave at around 4:30 pm. It was quite an adventure something you are not likely to forget. We rested for a while then we headed back to our inn. Egbert then told us about another route one that would take you from Sumaging Cave all the way to the Crystal Caves. He said that it would take around 8 hours and we would have to use technical climbing and spelunking gear. Another adventure, another reason to return.
Sagada sits on top of a vast network of interconnected caves that allows those who are brave enough to enter one cave and exit another. The Cave connection starts at the Lumiang Cave. A short trek down a valley leads you to this cave that serves as a burial site of sorts. There you will find hollowed out logs used as coffins stacked one on top of another. It was as if we were to descend into the Underworld of ancient mythology.
We had two guides both of whom carried these powerful gas powered lamps in order to light the way. It was of course pitch black and we descended down through gaps in between a large pile of huge boulders that led down deeper into the cave. We would literally squeeze into these small holes and struggle to find adequate foot-holds lest we slip straight down and end up farther than we intended and risk breaking some bones.
At one point we had to crawl down a hole and then use the rope to get down. It was at this point that Park actually started crying and she later said that it was because she has a fear of heights and enclosed spaces. I started thinking if she would have been better off with the other girls in Sumaging. But she did manage to get down and she did conquer her fears and complete the whole thing without incident.
The place was something straight out of a Hollywood movie and I was constantly reminded of the movie “The Cave” because there were pools and rivers. I saw that movie a few days before I left for Sagada and the thought of Vampires emerging out of nowhere kept creeping up inside my head. We encountered a large tranquil pool whose far edges was beyond sight, it seemed almost like an underground lake and the thought of paddling a boat crossed my mind along with the thought of hundreds of “Inferi” emerging from the water to drag you down.
There were also huge caverns with ceilings as high as that of cathedrals. We rested in one such place called the “Dance Hall” and it was really like being in a huge ballroom except that it was really dark and there were bats flying around. At one point we had to swim a short distance and when we emerged from the water we found ourselves at the edge of a ledge facing a huge cavern whose ceiling and the floor you couldn’t see even with halogen lights. A fall there would mean certain death and we had to climb up from that point without ropes and on a sheer rock, which was always wet because of the flowing water. In those times you just push the thought of falling out of your mind and just focus on the task at hand.
It was a beautiful place but at the same time it was obviously fraught with dangers. Going in without a competent guide would be almost suicidal. You can easily get lost in that vast network of caves that would seem like a maze. At one point our guide told us that turning left would lead you to a path wherein you will emerge somewhere in Echo valley. The only thing was that would take around two weeks. We were all thankful that no one got injured because getting injured in there would have been quite a problem.
We started at around 11:30 am and we emerged from Sumaging cave at around 4:30 pm. It was quite an adventure something you are not likely to forget. We rested for a while then we headed back to our inn. Egbert then told us about another route one that would take you from Sumaging Cave all the way to the Crystal Caves. He said that it would take around 8 hours and we would have to use technical climbing and spelunking gear. Another adventure, another reason to return.
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