My Eight Climb- Mt. Pinagbanderahan, Bantakay Falls and Caves

MounTrails # 8
Mt. Pinagbanderahan
Bantakay Falls and Caves
Atimonan, Quezon
May 1-2, 2010
Group: Take Five Hikers


Quezon province, with its vast of outdoor destinations, is a place where one can opt not only to hike its famous mountains such as Mt. Cristobal and Mt. Banahaw but also to go beyond mountaineering such as beachineering and spelunking, among others. The beautiful falls and caves of Bantakay can offer the same challenge and amazement, if not equalize, as that of hiking destinations in Quezon.
Our group, Take Five Hikers, headed off to Atimonan, Quezon at around 5:30 A.M from 7-11 Buendia on May 1, 2010. We rented a van to lessen our travel time and transportation expenses. Although we were late as per our IT due to some lapses, we were still able to reach Atimonan before lunchtime. On our way to Atimonan Tourism Office, the jump-off for Mt. Pinagbanderahan, I was amazed by the dedication of locals on their job. Even though it had a heavy rain on that day, they were still on the road, particularly in Bitukang Manok (part of Old Diversion Road), to guide travelers along their way. The old diversion road is prone to accidents and without proper care in driving, one could face his death.
We started the trek to the summit of Mt. Pinagbanderahan at noontime. The trek was easy and very relaxing. The trail of Mt. Pinagbanderahan, being a part of Quezon National Forest Park, is covered by forest and a very clean one. It is also well-established, a cemented one. During our trek, we met a lot of climbers. We also explored Cueva Santa prior to Pinagbanderahan summit. On our way to the summit, we saw a snake’s skin.
We were able to reach the summit at 1:40 P.M. The views on the summit were very relaxing and awesome; perfect for picture taking. After staying for 20 minutes on the summit, we started to trek down to Atimonan Tourism Office. We reached Atimonan Tourism Office at 2:40 P.M and after staying for a few minutes, we had our way to Brgy. Sta. Catalina for Bantakay Falls and Cave (a very fun walk down to a place where a jeepney waited for us). Before we proceed to Brgy. Sta. Catalina for Bantakay falls, we had a short conversation with Sir Bebot, a member of Atimonan Trekkers. He told us their sentiments about a water company that uses big tubes to get the water from Bantakay falls for its business. He also told us the effect of this activity, a havoc that could destroy not only the Bantakay falls but also the source of water in Bantakay. After our conversation with Sir Bebot, we proceeded to Bantakay falls. Our trek to Bantakay falls was not easy. It was like we were having a hike to a mountain. At 5:10 P.M, we reached the campsite.
On May 2, 2010, we woke up at 6:00 A.M and prepared for our breakfast. After we ate our food, we immediately had our trek to Bantakay caves. We noticed the big blue tubes on some parts of the trail; maybe the tubes that use to get the water from the Bantakay falls by the water company that Sir Bebot told us. Inside Bantakay caves, the formation of stalactites and stalagmites amazed us. It was the first time that I encountered such beautiful formations! Albeit the way to the deeper part of the cave was not easy, one had to do some moves like in the movie “Matrix”, the views of stalagmites and stalactites were rewarding. Caution must be observed in doing a spelunking activity in Bantakay caves. If one will not wear a proper head lamp, chances are the sharp edge of stalactites could not be seen as well as the steep stones on the way to the deeper part of the cave. Also, a person who considered himself “chubby” must think and be cautious enough to go on the deeper part of the cave because there are parts of the cave where a “chubby” one could not fit into.
After we had a very challenging spelunking on the Bantakay cave, we proceeded to Bantakay falls. Upon reaching the falls, the wonderful views and refreshing waters of the Bantakay falls greeted us. We dipped into the cold water and had so much fun! ^_^. Although the falls is a little bit “dry”, it still has that capacity to catch everyone’s heart to enjoy and have a care for our nature.
At lunchtime, we had a “boodle fight” style. It was one of the funniest meals that we had. At around 2:00 P.M, we had our way back to Sir Bebot’s place to tidy up and go home-sweet-home ^_^.


Kaisipan Pagkatapos ng Akyat
Marami na kaming akyat na may “sidetrips” ngunit itong paglalakbay namin sa Bundok Pinagbanderahan at Kuweba at Talon ng Bantakay ang itinuturing kong ang “sidetrip” ang naging pangunahing lakbay namin. Ang pagpunta sa Bantakay Falls at Cave ay di hamak na mas mahirap kumpara sa paglalakbay namin sa Bundok Pinagbanderahan. Sa kuweba at talon ng Bantakay rin namin nakita ang unti-unting pagsira sa ating kalikasan ng mga tubo na humihigop ng tubig sa talon. Hindi lamang ang tubig sa talon ang unti-unting nawawala kung hindi pati ang mga likas na yaman na kumukuha ng buhay sa talon ng Bantakay. Kung ito ay hindi maititigil at patuloy na gagawin, darating ang araw na hindi lamang ang talon at kuweba ng Bantakay ang mawawala kung hindi pati na ang mga hayop at ang magagandang tanawin na ibinibigay sa atin ng Bantakay Falls at Cave.

_Cory_ Nov 17, 2010