Jiabong caves

Jiabong Cave - Samar Joni Bonifacio of Trexplore led a group of 11 through part of the Jiabong cave system this past weekend. (June 13-15 2008) We camped near one of the entrances of the Lobo cave system and spent 3 days swimming the underground rivers and crawling through the mud. One python was seen near the entrance of Kamanaog Cave but we didn't see any cobras on this trip. The group met at the home of  Joni and assembled their gear in his living room. Most of the participants were from Samar, Leyte, and Cebu  but there were 2 representing the  Island of Capul off the north end of Samar. Trexplore is located just across the street from Jolibees in Catbalogan... where we caught a south bound jeepney. It takes a bit of climbing to get to the caves. Two porters came along to help carry the gear and take care of camp. In the mountains, pineapple is grown in rows between the cassava. We bought a few from the farmers and found them to be refreshing. Tucked between some banana trees is the well hidden entrance to the Panagoyan Cave. Here is another passageway to the Lobo Cave. I forgot my waterproof case so didn't take any pictures under ground. It's best to leave your wallet, jewelry, or anything that can get damaged by water or mud above ground because you spend a lot of time swimming the rivers and crawling through narrow openings. Joni Sherwin Dinner time - We got a bunch of mussles and oysters from Jiabong, the village at the mouth of the river where they are farmed. rice Half of the participants camped in tents and others just strung hammocks in the trees. There were very few mosquitoes at the camp site and we lucked out by not getting any rain. When there is a heavy downpour the water in the cave will rise and make many of the passages impossible. The currents will be too strong and the water level might rise to the ceiling of the cave. Sometimes you can see coconuts jammed up there between the stalactites. We came across one foul smelling passageway caused by dead bats floating everywhere. The water must have risen to a point higher than usual and flooded out the nesting area. A tarp can be tied over the hammock for protection from the rain. Loading up the canoe for the trip downstream to Jiabong where we  caught a jeepney back to town. Dugout canoe. Trexplore is listed in the Samar section of the Lonely Planet. Trexplore 639192943865 , 09053233572 in the Philippines 09192943865 (just drop the 63) tel 055 - 2512301 This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it all the following photos by Joni mud wrestling Sherwin and Rhea Incredible formations! Philippine python in Kamanoag Cave. Joni got this picture of a very unusual juvenile bat. He sent out some photos to see if it can be identified. We had come up an underground river that had recently been flooded and there were dead bats floating in the water creating quite a stench. This little guy made it through the flood and was hanging about a meter above the water level. There have been new species of fish discovered in these Samar caves within the past 20 years and I am hoping that this guy might be new on the list of new discoveries. If there are any bat experts out there that recognize this species please send me or Joni an email. He is the one that found it so I nominate the name the jonibat if it's new! Sherwin inspecting a flawless formation. momma Cool water rinse! Naturally formed "cave pearls" Cave exit Relaxing It's quite important to really know the cave conditions because you don't have a whole lot of head room. Camping overnight in the Jiabong cave system isn't done but Joni leads groups for several days at a time in the Calbiga system. There is high ground in that cave for camping even during heavy rains. Another beautiful formation. Beautiful Capulania (from the island of Capul) Rhea. More swimming! The gang... mud mud mud... Beautiful, beautiful Samar! 2008   www.dutchpickle.com

 

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