Total Mudness

Exploration on two of New Corella's explored caves of Davao del Norte

We came in as tourist adventurers but we came out as miners.

This is how we will describe ourselves after experiencing the underground ordeal where light or abundance of air could never penetrate. With just flashlights and camera, we took the 30-minute trip from New Corella Proper to Barangay Del Monte where we found the cave they call ‘total mudness’. Not because you will get mad after getting out but you’ll find yourself drenched in mud once you survive the trail.

Following our tour guide, we enjoyed the sight of stalactite and stalagmite. I even found a structure of the ‘chandelier’ the same one I found in the underground river of Palawan.

What was grueling in our experience was getting stuck in a knee-deep milky mud. It was a struggle. We could hear the slurping sounds of the mud as we struggle to lift our legs. In fact, some of us lost the sole of our shoes.

Then we reached wider point after surviving a few-meter crawl in the mud. We were reminded to keep our back low so we won’t be hit by the low rocks. We took our breath for a while knowing that there would be bigger space for us to pass through. 

Little did we know that we have to pass through a hole where only solitary body could wiggle to get through. As others went on, I could only imagine in fear how could we ever survive this as I see only the feet of my companion as they get through.

This is it! My turn. Just keep myself low. It was about five meter crawl and struggle against the grip of the mud on my knees and elbows. Al last I saw them standing at a distance already. I went through.

The next challenge was the long climb. Unlike in Ugong Cave Rock in Palawan where the harness was secured, here we simply used our might against gravity and steepness of the rocks. The tourist guides had so much confidence on us that they did not bring any secured rope. At last we saw the light and we survived.

True to its name, the cave is a total mudness. We looked like miners and we were proud. “It was an accomplishment,” Ma’am Donna said.

As we went to another cave called Paradise in Barangay Sta. Fe in a twenty-minute ride, we were asked by residents what we were working on? It was funny because with the crash gear and the mud all over our body, they might have concluded that we were laborers.

It was a long walk as we traversed several mountains just to reach the mouth of the cave. “When could we take our lunch since it was already noontime?” We asked ourselves. Still a few minutes away, we were treated with the taste of an ‘atis tree’, but they have another name for this tree since its fruits are bigger. It tastes milky.

After taking our lunch, our first experience is to rappel just to get to the bottom of the Paradise Cave. I did not bring camera this time since we were told that we have to pass through underground river.

We passed through wide and narrow crevices with a frequent sight of stalactite meeting stalagmite. I could just imagine how long it took for this structure to exist

We also saw insects Jaymar (our photographer) jokingly called, “cave shrimp” since it looked like one. We started  walking through a stream and we ended almost swimming through a chest-deep water. It was a relief to feel the coldness of the water. At least some mud stuck in our attire was washed. Then we saw the light. A sign that our journey had ended.

We finally had our total wash at Panas Falls.

Thank God for this experience of survival of the fittest. We’re all fit because we survived. If not for our BSP Coordinators Mr. Julius Condez and Mr. Erwin Sacro, we wouldn’t have experienced this. We are looking forward for the next cave to conquer. We hope that we will “many-ier” so we could be merrier. (Photo by Jaymar Liaging)