Walk for a Cause: By SPELEO Davao and MOSACA

A far seeing, long and winding country road going to DAVAO City

Had so much fun in the first invitational “Walk for a Cause” that I’ve attended which was held in Sitio Langub, Baganihan, Marilog District, Davao City. It was sponsored by MOSACA (Mountain Scaler Asian Club Adventure) a MFSM (Mountaineering Federation of Southern Mindanao) and SPELEO Davao a PSS (Philippine Speleogical Society) with their theme,

“Paglakaw ug ang Pagmatngon sa kinaiyahan”

We received a warmth welcome and great accommodation when they accepted our registration though we were one day late... Very understanding people, indeed!

An S road going to DAVAO City

(Thanks to Ma'am Anne and Sir James for accommodating us).

The event was held at Yellow Gate Adventure Resort also known as Santo Niño of the Woods. It’s about more or less 2 hours drive away from Davao City through riding a Rural Transit Mindanao Bus.

The place was so serene that if no one will talk, the silence could be overbearing. It was cold and foggy even though it was already in the afternoon and that made our tent damp. In such beautiful scenery, I can see a shimmering light like a firefly dancing in the sky. The trekking is not complete without a mountaineer’s tent. I pitch a tent near Santo Niño of the Woods sculpture, a perfect place for me to assemble my tent and when night fell, aside from the noise made by my fellow mountaineers, I can hear melodious song of crickets and some tiny insects, I think. Moreover, it was the pleasing scent of air at night that made me stunned for a while back there. I can't just smell it but i can taste it, too. “inhale.. exhale…”

Mountaineer's tents in a wide-area fronting Resort's rest house

cooking and heating, first time use of my burner.

Second day. Preparing breakfast was a challenge! That was my first time to use my burner with the help of co-mountaineers, of course. We started to cook rice for breakfast... followed by a viand “noodles and canned goods” - the invariably easy-to-bring food. The morning wind was cold as it wisped and touched my skin but it interrupted our cooking. The wind blown turned off the fire from my burner.

Eating with co-mountaineers was fun, specially at the part of sharing food. Their food was better than ours! laughs. They brought beef and fish so I would most likely glad to share mine.

Moving on, the event included lectures about Basic Mountaineering Course and it was held at the attic of the rest house just near our camping site. Even though it looks old, it can still accommodate more or less 40 participants. One part of the training made us roam around the area with a compass at hand, taught us more what to do just in case we get lost. The place was surrounded with a lot of trees.. big rocks... and the trainer allowed us to enter into the jungle but I never got far away. I think everybody never did.

We went home with a smile after bidding pleasant goodbyes to each other. That was fun!

now, next adventure, please!

wide view facing east

walk a hundred steps

Events Itinerary:

They are conducting BMC (Basic Mountaineering Course) 1 – 4. Registration for the event actual 500 pesos, 450 pesos for advance payment. Inclusive: one way transport, jersey, two certificate, I.D., one hosted dinner, zipline and raffles.

Day 1

7:00am - 7:30am Waiting of Participants in Roxas, Aldevinci

7:30am - 8:00am ETD

8:00am - 9:30am ETA @ Campo Uno Marilog District

9:30am - 12:00nn Start Trekking from Campo Uno to Yellow Gate Adventure

12:00nn – 1:00pm Lunch time and fixing of tents

1:00pm – 5:00pm BMC 1 and 2 lead by Speleo Davao

5:00pm – 6:00pm Prepare for for dinner

6:00pm – 9:00pm Life off

Day 2

6:00am – 7:30am Wake up call and prepare for breakfast

7:30am – 11:00am BMC 3 and 4