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caving

Lumiang Cave to Sumaging Cave September 12, 2008

Sagada Cave Connection - Lumiang Cave to Sumaging Cave

Side Trip Magazine
As I was commissioned by UP Mountaineers to write for Side Trip Magazine about the Sagada cave connection, I availed the services of Egbert (SEGA member) to be my guide. For any of the cave system, it's mandatory to get a guide - it's only prudent to do so. The cave system is pitch black, extensive, with a myriad of passageways. It's very easy to get lost. Time allowing, you can also make arrangements for your guide to prepare a Sagada delicacy, the Pinikpikan Chicken. It makes for a satisfying lunch or dinner upon your return. SEGA members (Sagada Environmental Guides Association) make excellent Pinikpikan Chicken.

More Adrenalin
For most of the tourists visiting Sagada, one of the highlights is exploring Sumaging Cave, better known as the 'Big Cave'. However, for those who want more adrenalin, there's a lesser known offering - the cave connection. This is a 3-hour spelunking from Lumiang Cave to Sumaging Cave.

Lumiang Cave
According to Egbert, Lumiang Cave was first explored by Italian spelunkers back in 1985 when they mapped the Sagada cave system - Crystal Cave, Echo Valley, Lumiang and Sumaging Caves. However, it wasn't until 1992 when the first local took upon himself to explore Lumiang using the Italians' mapping. In 1997, the first commercial offering for the cave connection became available. Still, this package is reserved for the more daring. For most of the passing tourists, it has always been Sumaging Cave.

Piled Coffins
Egbert provided a helmet and brought a Petromax for lighting. From Poblacion, it's a 20-minute walk on concrete road to the trailhead for Lumiang Cave. From there, you go down a single-track to the mouth of the cave, about 8-mins walk. From that vantage point, you see the coffins of Lumiang. Unlike the hanging coffins to which Sagada is famous for, Lumiang has piled coffins (not hanging). The coffins are piled one on top of the other until it reaches the ceiling of the cave opening. It is said some coffins date back 500 years. Unfortunately, vandals and thieves have desecrated the coffins over the years.

Going Down Under
There is a huge opening on the cave, but the actual entrance is deceptively small and narrow - just enough to snugly fit 1 person. The passage takes you down through tight rock formations before it opens up. Moisture is always present on the rocks. It's slippery. It's best to secure footing before proceeding. Most of the time, I was on 5-wheel drive - all fours plus my butt.

Vertical Climb Downs
The scariest sections are the vertical climb-downs with no ropes! We descended a few of them, usually a drop of about 10 feet, where you jam your arms and legs on the narrow rock walls as you inch yourself down. This is the only way to get traction. A slip is catastrophic - there is no soft landing; just rocks.

A Little Help from the Guides
With my little background in rock climbing, I managed to do that, but I wondered how someone with no such background would fare. What happens then? The guide replied that they usually get a sense up to what extent their guest can handle. They let them reach that point before they offer assistance. That way, he said, the guests get a profound sense of accomplishment if he/she surmounts the obstacle with no help. But I asked, "what if they can't? What help do you offer?". He replied that they go as far as offering their shoulders as a human step-stool.

Ropes
On 3 sections, there were built-in ropes with knots conveniently spaced. On those walls with practically no holds, it would take an expert-class climber to negotiate them without the ropes. Thank God for the ropes.

Getting Wet
We also came upon several water sources - small falls, shallow dipping pools, deep pools (about 9 feet), rock wall run-offs, etc. It's ok to take a dip, but note, the water is cold! Bring a small towel to dry yourself. If you stay wet and cold inside the cave, you might shiver. You can try to keep dry, but inevitably, you get wet.

Half-way Point
Upon reaching an area that opened up to a glorious cathedral-like expanse, I was told that we've reached the half-way point between Lumiang and Sumaging. It would take another hour until we reach the opening of Sumaging Cave.

Sumaging Cave
Sumaging Cave has long been explored by the locals since the early days. It has even been used as refuge from the Japanese during World War II. To date, it's the most frequented tourist attraction in Sagada.

Different Flavor
You'll be treated to awesome rock formations, huge expanses and boulder climbing. Water sources are equally as plentiful. Although it belongs to the same cave system, Sumaging offers a different flavor from Lumiang.

Bats
Sumaging is home to thousands of bats. Closer to the cave opening, we came upon the already familiar bat-dung section that draped the rocky cave-scape. While navigating on all-4s, you'll be introduced to its slippery texture and ammonia-like odor. Don't despair, it's all part of the Sumaging experience.

3 Hours
After being inside for nearly 3 hours, seeing the light at the exit was a sigh of relief and exhilaration. Staying underground for even that short length of time is an almost macabre and a surreal experience that defies most of what's familiar in the above-ground world.

A Word of Caution
If you're new to caving, I would suggest you try out Sumaging Cave first before the more challenging Lumiang-Sumaging cave connection To those who have already tried Sumaging Cave and want to give this one a try, be warned. Lumiang is about 3x more technical than Sumaging - the guide said so, and after my ordeal, I couldn't agree with him more.

--- TheLoneRider

    What to wear/bring:
  • waterproofing - to keep things dry (Ziplock, plastic bag, etc.)
  • clothing that can get wet
  • headlamp - while the guide brings along a Petromax (lantern), it's best to provide for your own lighting, specially if you're in a big group
  • Tribu-type scandals - for traction, you'll be barefoot a great deal
  • backpack - to put your footwear and clothing, but avoid stuffing your backpack. It's hard to get through narrow passages with a bulky pack.
  • small towel if you plan to take a dip in the water
    Rates:
  • visitor registration: P10/person
  • guide for cave connection - P800 per trip, maximum of 2 people. Third person adds P400. Maximum of 3 persons are allowed per guide. The fourth person will have to get an additional guide.
  • pinikpikan chicken - this is not a standard rate, but it usually starts at P700 and good for 8-10 people.
    About my guide Egbert Dailay:
  • Egbert has been a Sagada guide since 1995. Still active, he remains one of the most senior and most experienced SEGA guide. Aside from guiding, he also makes the local Peetik brand wine, and occasionally conducts lectures in tourism. He can be reached at 09286902623 or emailed at timpak223@yahoo.com.
P9120008 P9120023 P9120029 P9120037
P9120042 P9120049 P9120054 P9120070
P9120077 P9120086 P9120097 P9120102
P9120107 P9120118 P9120123 P9120151
P9120158 P9120172 P9120187 P9120190
P9120211 P9120226 P9120228 P9120230
P9120236 P9120245 P9120276 P9120279
P9120282 P9120284 P9120290  

Caving Blogs by TheLoneRider

  1. Canghaling Cave November 14, 2023
  2. The Return to Hinagdanan Cave Nov 5, 2017
  3. Exploring Hinagdanan Cave Oct 24, 2017
  4. Exploring Guimba and Sog-ong Caves of Loboc Oct 22, 2017
  5. Exploring Combento Cave Pool June 29, 2017
  6. Visiting Cabagnow Cave Pool of Anda Jun 28, 2017
  7. Exploring Bukilat Cave, Camotes Islands Feb 28, 2017
  8. Exploring Timubo Cave of Camotes Islands Feb 9, 2017
  9. Exploring Holy Crystal Cave of Camotes Islands Feb 9, 2017
  10. Exploring Bakwitan Cave of Gigantes Island Dec 30, 2016
  11. Visting Pangihan Cave of Malay Dec 14, 2016
  12. Exploring Maanghit Cave in Libertad Dec 9, 2016
  13. Visiting Ati Cave in Libertad Dec 9, 2016
  14. Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) July 9, 2016
  15. Visiting the Nam Lot and the Pha Khong Caves of Phan District May 18, 2016
  16. Visiting Batu Caves of Kuala Lumpur Feb 18, 2015
  17. Exploring Silop Cave of Surigao City Jun 22, 2013
  18. Exploring Bakwitan Cave of Tuburan, Surigao del Sur May 25, 2013
  19. Exploring Campamento Cave of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur May 17, 2013
  20. Exploring Dayao Cave of Tandag, Surigao del Sur May 12, 2013
  21. Exploring Sumalsag Cave of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon Apr 21, 2013
  22. The Fabulous People of Roxas City (Igang Cave) Nov 25-27, 2012
  23. Exploring the Cantabon Cave of Siquijor Feb 23, 2012
  24. Marinduque with UPM's Rumble Reggae (Sawa Cave) May 29 - June 1, 2009
  25. Backpacking Cagayan de Oro (Macahambus Cave) Mar 7-9, 2009
  26. Sagada Cave Connection - Lumiang Cave to Sumaging Cave September 12, 2008
  27. Mountaineering with Lakay Kalikasan Mountaineers (Kalinawan Cave) November 25, 2007
  28. Sabang, Palawan (Underground River) November 14-21, 2007
  29. Sagada (Sumaging Cave) October 18, 2005
  30. The Cordillera - Day 5: Sagada (Sumaging Cave) May 3, 2005

Reader Comments:

Ami
(Apr 13, 2010) it is on the italian spelunkers because i believe my forefathers had explored that cave long before the anglicans (missionaries) came to the mountains. and my uncles had explored that during the world war 2. and it's quite strange that the italian spelunkers were the first to explore the cave. obviously, there were coffins there, so our forefathers had been there. also, since we have high regard/respect to nature (which is apparent in our mythology), we go to places, but we just leave footprints. and try to leave the place like how it looks like when we explore it.




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