View of river gorge.
Logistics | Emergencies | Equipment | Weather | Registration | Climbing Areas | Topo
View of river gorge. |
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Most of the information on the pages that describe the different routes in Montalban are directly and indiscriminately lifted from Roel Tan-Torres' climbing guide "Rock Climbs in Montalban, Cogeo and Antipolo." Bubut has given me the OK to incorporate his guide book into this web site (right Bubut ? :) ).
Please note that both Roel Tan-Torres' guide and the entire contents of this web site are Copyright © 1998 and reproduction is strictly by permission only.
How to get there by Car
There are two ways to get to Montalban - one which goes from
Cubao and goes through Marikina - this route tends to have very
heavy traffic though. It is recommended to take the route behind
Batasang Pambansa (Don Mariano Marcos HWY). Behind the Philippine
Congress, take the road that goes though Payatas. This is not a
scenic route, as it is where many garbage trucks bring their
load. This road meets up with the Marikina road, effectively
bypassing the traffic.
The last few km into Wawa is a dirt road that may be very muddy and consist of deep pot-holes. During the rainy season, it is highly recommended that one use a high-clearance vehicle (like a pick-up). Alternatively, park your car at the resort just afer the junction. From here, walk back to the junction to catch the jeep into montalban (P 2.50).
How to get there by Public Transport
From Cubao / Ateneo take the jeepney marked
"Montalban." Take this jeepney all the way to the end
of its route. Allow for at least an hour (depends on traffic).
Then transfer jeepneys to the ones that ply the last 15-minutes
to Wawa. These jeepneys are easy to recognize - they look like
they have just come from a Paris-Dakar rally.
GPS Coordinates
With the advent of these nifty little devices, crag positions
will be given also in GPS coordinates (Lat/Lon. in Deg Min.min
format). The coordinates for Aling Norma's Store, where all
climbing begins is N14deg 43.905min E121deg 11.040min.
The closest medical center is in front of the Montalban town hall, about 5 km from the climbing areas. There is a doctor/nurse there and two ambulances are there in case the injury cannot be dealt with by this health center. The contact telephone number is 948-9274. A technical rescue can be co-ordinated through Power-Up if necessary. However, most week-ends there are enough climbers around to help out. Check the registration log to see which crags climbers are at to be called for assistance. Contact phone numbers are listed by Aling Norma's.
A rigid spine board and foam splints of various sizes for leg, arm, and hand fractures are also stored at Aling Norma's. In an emergency, these may be used. Please return after having cleaned and disinfected this equipment.
Only the more difficult routes are bolted, and it is necessary to back up fixed pro due to the inconsistent nature of limestone. Bring slings and a standard rack of nuts. Camming units are more convenient for placing your own pro but are optional (on cracks that can only be protected with cams, the standard practice is to place a bolt since most Pinoy climbers' racks consist only of nuts - not so true anymore :) ).
The latest weather report for Metro Manila, 15km west of Montalban, is found posted at this link : Manila Weather. Note that often the conditions in Montalban and Manila can be very different.
Once you get to the end of the dirt road, you have reached Wawa, Montalban. Please remember to register your name and intended climbing destination with Aling Norma (a kind woman who runs Aling Norma's Eatery). The registration is free - it simply consists of signing a notebook at her store. Here is also a favorite place of mine to get an espresso before hitting the crag. Softdrinks, snacks and warm food is available here, as well as beer. A favorite meeting place for climbers.
You can also ask to use the rest room at Aling Norma's - remember to fetch the water for flushing if necessary :)
This list is an initial compilation of rock climbing routes in the Montalban area. Grades are subjective and await consensus from succeeding ascensionists. Feedback from climbers is necessary and corrections or suggestions can be left in Aling Norma's store (leave a note or write in the logbook) at the Wawa, Montalban parking lot or forwarded to Jong Narciso or Simon Sandoval. Messages can be left at the bulletin board at the Power Up gyms.
Information about routes not listed here will be highly appreciated.
Ratings are YDS / French. FA stands for First Ascent
Star (asterisk) ratings:
* Recommended
** Excellent
RAINY DAYS:
Don't let a typhoon put a damper on your craggin'. Overhanging
and roof routes (Veranda, Slayer, Romancing the Stone) as well as
slabs protected by overhangs (White Wall) let you crank while it
pours. For the adventurous, ascend the muddy trail to Uling
Wall - the descent from Uling may well be the crux of your day's
climbing!
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The climbing area is split by the river running through the gorge. Click on the above topo map the area in which you are interested in.
Access to the routes across the river start at the parking lot. The method of crossing the river depends on the time of the year. During the dry season (October to June), there is a wooden bridge (P2.-) and during the rainy season (June to October), a "bangka" (local canoe) ferries people across the river (P 2.-).
Last modified : 20 April 1999