Spelunking is the exploration of caves as a hobby. In
Sagada, they have a cave connection between Lumiang and Sumaguing Cave and the
journey to go through it will take 3-4hours, depending on how fit your team is
and how long you pause for photos.
Of all the extreme activities I have ever done, this I
believe is the most challenging (and trust me, I already did a lot). While
doing this, I was tested not only physically and mentally, but spiritually as
well. We were not provided with gloves and helmets (like they did in Palawan) and
to be honest, I don’t think you will need any. In fact, halfway through the
cave, I was asked to remove the shoes I bought before the trip. So much for my
so called preparation.
You will not need any equipment but here are the things
that you must have:
STAMINA - the whole activity took 3.5 hours so with that
alone, you know that you have to have the strength for this activity. You also have to be able to pull yourself up or
push yourself against the walls (and to your limits. LOL).
ENDURANCE – you have to withstand a lot of things while
inside. Hunger, coldness and a whole lot more. Although, if you think about it,
you will have to endure everything because you kinda have no choice. No option
for quitting.
OBEDIENCE - you have
to be able to give full trust to the people you are with, especially your
guides. You have to know how to follow instructions and blindly believe what
they are saying because guess what, they were able to finish this course a lot
of times already and they know what should be the right placement of your hand
and foot for you to be able to go through all these natural made obstacle course.
When they tell you to slide or let go for you to be able to move on (#whogoat),
you have to listen.
FEARLESSNESS – or at least set aside your fears while inside. Here’s
why:
- Claustrophobia (Fear of being enclosed in small spaces) – There are times that you will be required to slither in extremely tight spaces. Sometimes, even I was surprised that I was able to fit through it.
- Monophobia (Fear of being alone) – There will be times that you will have to go through some spaces alone because it can only fit one. So you have to get over your clingy-ness.
- Nyctophobia (Fear of the dark) - Since you are inside the cave, there is no other light source apart from the kerosene lamp the local guides have. Good luck to all those afraid of the dark.
- Acrophobia (Fear of heights) – You have to climb, jump and skin the cave walls. So yes, you have to fake your fearlessness while inside.
You also have to keep yourself from being paranoid because
it is so easy to be succumbed to all the monstrous creatures your imagination
is making while inside.
FRIENDLINESS – You know how they say that if you go through
a very intense situation with a stranger, you tend to be close to that person
immediately, I proved it here. When I went inside Lumiang Cave, I only know the
name of my 2 friends and 3 fairly new aquaintances. At the end of the tunnel, it felt like I already knew
everyone because the experience would make you feel like you are clinging to
your companions for your life. LOL. I am not joking!!!
FAITH – yes, you gotta believe that you will eventually see
the light again. You kind of have no choice there, actually. You have to
believe that God will allow you to go through all of this darkness and
hardships, kind of like in life. Believe me, you will feel that way after your
first hour inside the cave. J
Again, not joking there.
