Training Caving Guides Kabyawan Caves San Isidro Davao Del Norte
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Photo courtesy Martyn Willes
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The training of caving guides in San Isidro, Davao del Norte, is well underway ahead of the 10th National Caving Congress, Davao, in April. Experienced trekkers and caving / spelunking enthusiasts from Barangay Dacudao, San Isidro, last weekend had their caving guide skills honed under a training program initiated jointly by the: Davao Speleological Society, the Davao del Norte Provincial Tourism and with financial support from the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) Region XI.
Next weekend, further caving guide training (in advance of the National Caving Congress, Davao) will be offered for caving / spelunking enthusiasts in Barangay Igangon, San Isidro.
As many as 300 caving / spelunking enthusiasts are expected to descend on Davao del Norte for the National Caving Congress, Davao, during which four caves will be visited, selected from fourteen cave systems in the area.
Last weekend the organisers and participants of the caving guides training, plus a few opportunist out-of-town cavers, explored the Kabyawan Caves (“sanctuary of the bats caves”) from end-to-end and some went on to visit the nearby Tinogonan Waterfall.
The Kabyawan Caves are home to a large colony of miniature fruit bat (fruit bat genus unknown at the time of writing) that have made the cave floor, at the entrance to the Kabyawan Caves, somewhat treacherous with bat droppings – the entrance is through a maze of fallen rock with large crevices between. As you enter the caves the bats chorus is welcoming. Once inside the main cave system, passages through watercourses (up to waist deep) and large chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites provide a fantastic spectacle for caving / spelunking enthusiasts. The exit from the Kabyawan Caves is similarly a maze of fallen rock but only Philippine Swifts are in residence there, so the floor is not so slippery (or so smelly).
The Tinogonan Waterfall is a challenge for the novice trekker, with steep hillsides and an almost vertical descent for the last 100 meters. The Tinogonan Waterfall itself is very pretty, about 30 feet high, with two visible water sources that combine to produce a deep pool for swimming and cliff-diving. Above the Tinogonan Waterfall are three more waterfall complexes; there is another below. Lack of time prevented further exploration up and down the complete network of five waterfall complexes. But the waterfalls are definitely another reason to return to Barangay Dacudao, San Isidro.
One of the distinctive features of the entire area around Barangay Dacudao, San Isidro, is the seemingly endless expanse of cacao plantations, interleaved with trees & plants heavy with coconuts, bananas, pomelo and kamansi. Cacao is a major source of income for San Isidro in general, and much of the final product is of such high-quality that it is exported for refinement into cocoa.
If you are thinking of caving / spelunking the Kabyawan Caves or chasing the Tinogonan Waterfall it is highly recommended that you hire a local tourist / caving guide, for it would be easy to get lost along the winding paths and tracks that network the steep, fertile hillsides. A local guide will cost around Php2-300 for the day. The best GetWet advice is to telephone Ms. Rosebella Abelita-Nana (+63 920 981-7856) of the San Isidro Tourism Office (at least one day in advance), who will make every effort to ensure that the best caving and waterfall guides are available.
Barangay Dacudao, San Isidro, and the Kabyawan Caves & the Tinogonan Waterfall are three to four hours drive from Davao International Airport via Tagum City. A rugged vehicle, four-wheel-drive or motorcycle is recommended. You can hire suitable vehicles in Davao City or Tagum City. You can fly to Davao International Airport from Manila (90 minutes), Cebu (60 minutes) and from Singapore (three hours). Cebu Pacific Air and Silk Air fly to Davao International Airport daily from Singapore.
The National Caving Congress, 6-10 April, 2010, is a perfect opportunity to meet those with the Davao del Norte cave location knowledge as well as others with cave location knowledge from around the Philippines.
GPS Locations
- Barangay Dacudao, San Isidro N7° 46.916′ E125° 40.188′
- Parking Area N7° 46.641′ E125° 39.564′
- Entrance to Kabyawan Caves N7° 46.602′ E125° 39.422′
- Tinogonan Waterfall N7° 46.776′ E125° 39.311′
What To Bring For Caving?
- Caving Helmet or Skull Guard (a must) “No Helmet, No Caving”
- Headlamp/Flashlight at least 3 source of lights (with extra batteries and bulb)
- Coverall/snug-fit jeans & sweat shirt
- Gloves
- Rubber shoes or Boots
- SRT Equipment (For PSS only)
- Survey Equipment
- Dry bag/water tight container/plastic bag
- Camping Gear
- Cooking Gear with food
- Medicine Kit
Note: Participants are encouraged to bring their own caving gear to the National Caving Congress, Davao. If you can’t bring your own caving gear there will be some available for hire but give plenty of advance warning of your needs or you may be disappointed.
Go to Davao del Norte and GetWet Caving.
Links:
National Caving Congress, Davao event information and contacts
How to get to Davao International Airport – airline information
Davao Speleological & Conservation Society webpage