By Marie Calica

I’ve been climbing for about 10 years, but ask me about our sport’s superstars and I’ll stammer to give you three names. Talk to me about the most recently opened climbing routes and their grades or which rock god just sent it and I’ll shrug my shoulders and give you a blank look. Tell me to rate a climb or a boulder problem and I’ll scratch my head.

I may not be as technical or experienced as the other “old timers,” but like you, I love to climb. And in recent years, I’ve discovered a love for bouldering.

I’ve had the pleasure of going on two rock trips: CDO’s Goo Goo Gaga in November, and just two weeks ago, to Baguio’s Ambongdolan Rock Trip. And just because the latter is the more recent adventure (and the one my memory will allow me to remember), I’ll chew the fat on this one.
After a five-hour ride up to our country’s summer capital, I was hoping to get to the crag and climb. But Ambongdolan is 1 ½ hours away from Baguio City via a hired jeep (or in my case, Alvin’s 4×4), so the wait only got me more excited. Miles later, we reached the Barangay Clinic—our home base for the weekend.

Want to see what Cantabaco, Cebu climbing has to offer? Check out this teaser video from the recently-held Lust for Lime 6 rock trip put together by Dennis Diaz.

By Miel Pahati

I’ve been climbing all over the Philippines for the last ten years. I’ve seen the outdoor scene grow and progress. Just when I thought I’d seen it all, here was another area with a whole new experience. I visited Cagayan de Oro last August 19 to 24 to check-out the new bouldering spots and meet some old friends.

Right from the first day, I was amazed with the texture, movement and features of the CDO rock. I couldn’t name the type but it’s not limestone. It wasn’t quite like the boulders of Montalban and Manalmon, which were almost frictionless and smooth. Also compared it to bouldering in Baguio, whose weather is as cold as it can get, and friction as best you can get, in the Philippines.

All the areas are also just around 30-45 minutes drive from the city with very easy treks. In the six days I was there, I was bouldering three hours into the trip, down to the last hour I possibly could. It seemed that CDO brings in the friction, variety, and overall complete bouldering experience.

There is much to look forward to even when climbing indoors. The very homey local gym, Alwana, offers a variety of angles in all its walls. Though set up with a top-rope for most clients, the walls are also good for bouldering. It also has a weights room and spa, where you can conveniently get your dose of a full body work-out. If that’s not enough reason to drop by Alwana, then you must know that it is the jump-off point to all the crags.