Cave Beyond the Crack

With howling winds, torrential rain, floods, power outage, and generally a stormy day on Saturday, we are not sure whether we will be able to hike on Sunday. At five a.m. Sunday morning, the weather looks reasonably calm. At six a.m. Dora, Bruiser, Jane and CC meet at the Flame Tree parking lot. After waiting for a while, we get in one car and head to the big banyan tree in Marpi. The trail to the Crack has been overtaken by a field of waist high bushes, and the trail head marker is nowhere to be seen. We know where we need to go, so we plunge in to make our own trail. Aware that there is a large patch of mother-in-law's-tongue that we need to circumvent, we push through the bushes, vines and some trees until we come upon a few ribbons, and locate the tongue patch. Our two trail markers are the pottery-barn, and the barbed wire fence.

At the pottery-barn, we notice more pottery pieces have been unearthed and scattered. Jane sees a capped beer/sake bottle that has an insignia on the cap. She takes a closeup photo for reference.

Some of the blue-and-white pottery pieces that appear to have been used for some sort of "party". From here we veer toward the fence, climb up until we reach the base of the cliff. A short distance later, we are at the entrance to the "Crack".

Dora at the entrance. Here the width of the crack is still fairly wide. The cliffs on both sides rise up to about 100 ft. (guesstimate).

Here the width of the crack narrows, soon one needs to turn side way and crouch to step down to a lower level. Notice the boulder that is lodged just above Bruiser's head.

After exiting the crack, we continue up the side of the cliff and climb up a very steep slope of slippery rocks for our next adventure. Jane and Bruiser lead the way.

Dora pauses on the cliff edge to take a photo of CC, who takes a photo of Dora. Soon we reach below a cave-like opening. Bruiser and Jane think it is one of those shallow caves for a quick look-see.

As we climb up to the opening of the cave, it is apparent that the cave is a deep one. This is actually our destination. Bruiser works his way down the rocky floor, while Jane stops to take pictures of the war relics on display on top of a rock.

An assortment of found items on display, including shoe soles, containers, bottles, and an iron rod. Further into the cave, we squeeze ourselves into a lower chamber. There is a small opening that leads to an even lower chamber. 

Jane crawls to the small opening to see the lower chamber. She ooohs and aaaahs with lots of amazement at what she sees.

Bruiser, with broad shoulders, finds himself a bit limited to how far he can squeeze into the tunnel and the opening for a look at what all the oooohs and aaaahs are about. Dora, being the small one, volunteers to crawl in further through the opening to take pictures of the lower chamber. CC hands over the camera, and in goes Dora.

The lower chamber has a flat floor and a lot of statues-like stalactites. 

A deeper look, further into the chamber, showing the stalactites separating the chamber into smaller areas. 

To the right of the chamber is this deep drop into another cave. 

Dora is leaning so far out through the opening that Jane decides to hold on to her ankles to prevent any accident. 

Dora comes back to us from her photo assignment.

Bruiser and Jane exiting the cave.

We are ready for our snacks outside the cave, before we climb down the cliff. Jane has the executive seat to enjoy the snack and a little rest.

Back down the cliff, using either the butt-walk/slide style, or the reverse step-down style. 

On our way back down the cliff, Dora decides to gather some rich soil for her plants.

Going through the crack again, Jane decides to video tape Bruiser. Here she is under the hanging boulder. Notice the dirt stain on her shorts, evidence that she is the butt-slider. 

Back to the entrance of the crack, for a group photo of Jane, CC, Dora, and Bruiser.

The weather turns out beautifully, with gentle breeze, occasional sun peeking through, and cool air. We proclaim this hike a definite five-sneakers!

Giant Underground Cave

For a week of stormy, rainy weather and uncertain forecast, Sunday the 15th turns out to be bright and sunny. At Flame Tree Terrace parking lot, Bruiser, Jane (aka Sherpa Girl), and Spicegirl are waiting. Sad news from Spicegirl, our favorite hiking dog Boy has been kidnapped right from their  front yard!! We commiserate with her and promise to keep our eyes and ears open for any news. 

Handy, Cutie, Sparky and CC arrive, followed by Chops and Wonder Woman. Piling into two cars, we head north toward Suicide Cliff. We stop at the triangle on Chalan Kalabera, park our cars, chat up with a couple of joggers, when Giggles joins us, all excited about the new and fresh snacks she has brought. We welcome her back! :-)

Today's hike is a destination tour to a giant underground cave on the northeastern end of the island. The trail to the cave is less than a mile, and flat.

First, we have to climb, or squeeze through, a gate. This is supposed to be a private property, but there is no one there. Giggles demonstrates her limberness. Most of us climb over the gate.

Sparky and CC are the last two to "trespass"as Bruiser, Jane, Chops, Wonder Woman, Handy, Cutie, Giggles, and Spicegirl are "caught" behind the gate.

The trail, obviously a drive-able road a while back, is now overgrown with tall grass and occasional thorny mimosa to scratch the unawares. The morning temperature is perfect as we enjoy the easy walk through the grass. Soon we locate the ribbons we have placed on a previous visit.

Following the ribbons a short distance, turn slightly north, we come upon the entrance to the cave. Everyone is surprised by the sheer size of the cave entrance. After a momentary pause, we begin to approach the descend. Chops, Cutie, and Handy decide to forego the adventure and will wait outside.

Wonder Woman perches on the boulder and assesses the situation.

Bruiser and Giggles on their way down. WW has brought a lantern to light the way. Everyone brings a flashlight, and spicegirl brings her new bike light that is super powerfully bright. With the cave darkens to blackness, a good light is essential.

Jane, Spicegirl, WW, and Giggles, very carefully make their way down the right side of the cave where big rocks are more stable. The slope is mostly loose red dirt and rocks that is very difficult to have a firm grip. Sparky is down below guiding the ladies to the next level of the cave. (Note the round spots on the photo, they are probably specks of dust that get kicked up onto the lens)

Sparky is showing Spicegirl the view from a crevice, while Bruiser and Jane try to shine some light on what is below. The white rock surface cascades down like a waterfall, and the pillar shimmers in the light.

Wonder Woman's lantern breaks the darkness. Jane is getting her camera ready, and Bruiser is starting his climb down to the bottom chamber. The pillar is a large stalagmite right on the edge of the cliff.

Wonder Woman, ever the cautious one, is contemplating whether to make the descend into the large chamber at the bottom. From this point, the chamber is completely dark and unfathomable.  

Meanwhile, Bruiser is partway down. 

CC stops to take a photo of Spicegirl on the way down. Sparky is right behind.

Bruiser and Jane reach the bottom and begin to look around for things of interest. War relics are everywhere, but we are careful not to disturb them. The bottom chamber is huge, with many large crevices and small caves.

Ambient light shines on one side of the cavern, showing another opening on the south side. The opening is small and the slope is very steep. No one attempts climbing that. Large stalagmites jut out from the ground.

As we explore around to the right, a huge pile of rocks appear to open to a passage way. Bruiser and Jane double check the camera for the exploration.

Bruiser climbs up the left through these "boiling" rocks

Jane, Spicegirl, and WW decide to go to the right over some very slick and wet boulders. Water is dripping from the roof of the cave.

A hole in the rock holds water from the dripping. Judging from the size of the hole, the dripping has been going on through many years. 

Carefully going down the rocky trail, WW and Jane make their way through another chamber toward a flat area of red dirt and a very excited Sparky.

Sparky wants to show us a "Venus de Milo" torso sitting in the middle of this passage way. It appears that a mustached face with popping eyes is staring at the statue!

Many canteens and gas masks all over this area.

Inside this cave, numerous gas masks are strewn everywhere.

From here, a steep slope leads back to the entrance. This is the loop that takes the slope back to east wall of the entrance. This also the more difficult climb up the loose dirt and rocks. 

Part way up the slope, Bruiser finds this complete bomb wedged between the rocks.

Just above, these bombs are placed in a hole.

Jane takes time to take a photo as CC takes one of Jane on the final ascend. Due to the danger of loose rocks, we climb up one at a time to avoid hitting anyone below. It is a tough climb, but we make it to the top and rejoin everyone, happy to be back in the light and fresh air. While down below, Spicegirl smell cigar and CC smells gardenia!

A feast at last. We become lost in the woods after coming out of the cave. No one can remember from which direction we have come. The group splits and goes off to find the trail. Sparky wins. We find a spot by the trail and enjoy the many snacks and Giggles' new found goodies and longan fruit. 

A very happy group, having explored this unique cave, and getting lost in the woods. Should we  blame Handy, who wears a "LOST" T-shirt? All who explore the cave declare it a "best" cave. Definitely a five-sneaker adventure.

9/1/13 & 9/8/13 Hikes

9/1/13 Looking for Grenade Farm

With most of the hikers unavailable for the first Sunday of September, Sparky agrees to take us to the "grenade farm" he has visited in previous weeks. After meeting at the post office parking lot, where Dora, Spicegirl, Andy, Aaron, Boy, Sparky, and CC drive in two cars and park near the old Japanese field hospital. From there we take the path through a private yard before approaching the trail to the hospital. 

Sparky and Spicegirl near the signpost to the hospital cave. Andy and Aaron are getting ready to enter into the cave to get a closer look.

Aaron and Boy at the entrance to the outer cave.

We plan to take a look at the inside of the cave from a different location. This is the narrow opening we will climb up and circle to the backside of the rock wall. 

Dora following Sparky up the steep crevice.

Another climb up the rocks for the lookout.

Boy finds himself in a precarious situation of deciding whether he wants to venture down the slippery and steep drop. We are below encouraging him to come down further. He eventually makes it down far enough to be assisted.

The view into the inside of the cave where the prayer sticks are placed. The entrance to the inner cave down below is on the right side. 

Sparky shows Spicegirl some of the interesting finds on the rock walls, and take a look down below for a different perspective of the inner chamber.

Andy and Aaron are exploring among the rocks.

Our next move is to climb up to the top of the cliff and begin our trek to find the "grenade farm" 

Sparky on the top of the "mountain", carrying a metal detector. We begin to head north into a beautiful forest.

In the middle of the boonies, we notice these banana leaves strung across two trees, very much like a fence. Spicegirl decides to memorialize the occasion.

Boy is getting ready for another steep descend. From here on, we come across several small caves, run into some fierce looking razor wire fence, cross a downed barbed wire fence, in search of the farm. Eventually, Spicegirl, Andy, Aaron, and Boy decide to go down to the road (it being very near) and return to the car. Sparky, Dora and CC continue to traverse the hilly terrain, and finally decide that the farm is no where near where we are. We descend to the road, via an abandoned beetle nut farm, find our way to the main road, and miraculously being picked up by Andy's group. Despite our inability to find the farm, we agree that the hike is great and we will return another day for another try.

9/8/13 Up & Down Banaderu Trail

Banaderu Trail is one of our favorite hikes, even though we have the distinction of getting lost in the beginning of the hike each and every time, until we eventually find the actual trail. Not to be discouraged by it, we decide to not only go up the trail, but also double back down, instead of taking our usual circle route of going down the road. 

At 6:15 a.m. gathering at the Last Command Post parking lot are Handy, Cutie, Chops, PT Shelley, Chris, Bruiser, Jane, Wonder Woman, Dora, and CC. As we approach the Korean monument, a little apprehension arises, and Chops is called upon to lead the way. Behind the monument, we notice a very well marked opening, with lots of ribbons. As we follow the ribboned trail to the right, we become somewhat concerned, as we know the official trail is to the left. 

The boonies is humid, the ground is damp, and the rocks and tree roots are very slippery. 

Chris, ahead and above, waits for Shelley. 

Cutie is happy to take a little break with Jane, Chris, Wonder Woman, while Chops catches up.

Another break on the steep slope. The numerous slippery roots are clearly visible everywhere. One avoids stepping on these roots. Chris continues his climb, while Bruiser, Jane, Cutie stops for a breather, and Chops rests on the rock. It is the opinion of Dora and Shelley that the incline is perhaps about 75 degrees. The well-marked trail, although taking a more challenging route, does lead us to the concrete steps, and the beginning of the official trail.

A quick stop for CC to take a photo as we near the top. Dora, Jane, Bruiser, followed by WW, Handy, and Cutie.

At the top of the trail, after Bruiser gets stung by a bee near the rock garden, we come upon this split in the rocks for a view of the field below. Jane and Bruiser closing in toward the edge.

This is the view of Marpi, looks like the old airfield down below.

On the flat top of Suicide Cliff, we walk through a meandering field.

Wonder Woman and Dora looking pretty through the tangan tangan bushes, at the final part of the upward hike.

This is what everyone has been waiting for, a feast.

The benches at the top make for a perfect picnic camp. Chops, Handy, Dora, Cutie, Jane, Wonder Woman, Chris, and PTShelley seem relaxed. After the snack, the group split into two, with Handy, Chops, and Cutie taking the main road down, and the rest going back to the trail for the return  hike down the slippery rocks and roots. Lots of butt-walk and backward drops later, we make it to the base. 

At the parking lot, two large tour buses disgorge a whole bunch of tourists to see the big guns and the cave. We take the opportunity to pretend like tourists and have our group photo taken. Chops, Bruiser, Jane, Handy, Wonder Woman, Cutie, Dora and CC look too ragged to be tourists! MIA are PTShelley and Chris as they have taken off for their next destination.