PamBiyaherang Rus Day: Mt. Pamitinan & Wawa Dam

Mt. Pamitinan Summit

Pamitinan Cave. In the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range lies the Pamitinan cave. It is located in the San Rafael barangay (near Rodriguez, Rizal) in the Philippines. It is also near the Wawa Dam. The cave was formerly known as the '"Cave of Bernardo Carpio"'. Its former name was derived from Bernardo Carpio, a figure in Philippine mythology who was rebuked by the gods because of his insolence. Legend states that he was chained forever in the Montalban gorge, cursed to keep two mountains from colliding with each other.

On April 12, 1895, Andres Bonifacio along with eight other katipuneros declared the Philippines independence from the Spanish empire inside of this cave.The walls still bear inscriptions of "Viva la Independencia Filipinas" from the time of the Philippine Revolution. On June 21, 1996, Pamitinan cave was declared a historic site by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

During World War II, Japanese soldiers occupied the cave and used it as a camp. (Wikipedia)

Wawa Dam

Wawa Dam (also known as Montalban Dam) is a gravity dam constructed over the Marikina River in the municipality of Rodriguez in Rizal province, Philippines. The slightly arched dam is situated in the 360-metre (1,180 ft) high Montalban Gorge or Wawa Gorge,[3] a water gap in the Sierra Madre Mountains, east of Manila. It was built in 1909 during the American colonial era to provide the water needs for Manila. It used to be the only source of water for Manila until Angat Dam was built and Wawa was abandoned. Due to insufficiency of water supply for Metro Manila, there was a strong clamor to reuse the dam. (Wikipedia)

Hey fellas! This is my 4th climb together with the "BUTO Team". Planning this climb really got me feeling excited. Because the place have many side trips. As you can see above the picture, there are 5 mountains, the MMC proved that you could climb it all for just 1 perfect day! Isn't it challenging?! :)

We had 3 groups going to Rizal. Two of our friends brought their car for a convenient travelling. So the other group will take a bus or a jeep, but luckily they got aboard on fx which is routing also to Rodriguez Rizal.

Before we start trekking we had our lite lunch first. Then some local guides confronted us. We are too many to have only one guide since we are all first timers here in Pamitinan, we decided to divide our group into two & hired another local guide. First group proceed to registration area then followed by the second group to avoid crowded place from the area.

Welcome to Pamitinan Protected Landscape

The bridge

Signage. We haven't got the chance to visit the Pamitinan Cave & bat Cave. (next time ^_^)

Stopped beside the Cagbalete tree! Amazing tree! :)

This mountain behind me were used for rock climbing especially foreigners.

The First stop over going to Mt. Pamitinan summit. This was actually the first time wherein we didn't brought our hiking bags. (which is favorable for me! haha!).

The local guide of course share stories. You can see above that there is a form that looks like a feet.

The local guide also shown as the legends of this shape that also known as Bernardo Carpio's BU..TO, if you know what I mean. (bu..to is a word known mostly in provinces ^_^)

The last stop over. The moment were you have to wear your gloves because of sharp rocks. (wearing gloves is optional but its really a must for some)

When I saw rocks that we have to climb, I was thinking if is this really passable?! Am I going to climb without rope?! because the rockies we have to climb is elevated/high. But yeah! I did it! We did it! haha! (medyo kinabahan tlaga ako dun. haha!)

Also know as Twin mountain. We are on the other twin side so.. :)

We're now close to summit of Mt. Pamitinan

Speechless! :))))

How it looks like.

CONQUERED! Thank you Lord for this wonderful creation! :)

The campsite. We reached at the campsite late that's why some of us walk with headlights on because there are no lights along the way. To reach through here, you have to walk for about 20 minutes from the registration office. Along the way is a market, you can buy fruits, vegetables even fishes and meat. then there are also many residents bound here. Going here is you'll pass by the Wawa Dam. Lastly is you'll have to get on a boat for 5 minutes only just to surpass the river, P5.00 per ride per pax. There are also residents approximately 3-4 families living there. They are the care taker I think because we paid them for our stay and used the bathroom & hosed water near their houses.

The so called twin mountain. In front of the campsite photo taken early in the morning that's why you can see fogs.

After the breakfast. Chikahan galore! haha!

There's a falls near the campsite. Approximately it's just a 10 minutes walk going there.

Groupie! We just stopped by. There are vendors here & a mini cottages for people who would spend more time & like to stay.

The plan is we will go back for another mountain to climb after our breakfast but we all get tired & thought that the view on top are just the same like the summit we have been. We got back at the parking lot after we have our lunch. But the rains still pouring that's why the boys think of an effective way on how we will able to set off our tents & prepare our things orderly. Good thing they have a great idea & teamwork! (tahimik lang kaming mga girls haha)

And then all of us got the chance to take photos along the way back to the parking & registration offices. This are some of photos taken :)