After our spelunking adventure at Hindang Cave, we planned to see Hindang Falls. But first, we went back to Manong Nick’s hut for an alfresco lunch.
Shortly, Ate She was hacking some coconuts for us to replace our lost electrolytes.
And out of nowhere, heavy drops suddenly pelted down from the sky, forcing us to huddle beneath banana trees that provided little shelter from the rain.
What we thought was going to be an effortless downhill hike turned out to be a challenging one because of the heavy downpour.
We really took our time going down the slippery slope and avoided the muddy tracks as much as possible.
In tricky areas, some were forced to go down on all fours…
some five – if you count the butt! In a situation such as this, a trekking pole would definitely come in handy. But if that’s unavailable, just improvise! Pick up any sturdy wooden stick and you’re good to go!
As we were retracing our steps, we saw one of the streams that we spotted earlier. We then took turns washing ourselves to rid of all the dirt, mud and bat droppings covering our bodies. It felt like such a treat!
The intermittent rain stopped for a while and we found ourselves back at the grassy field once again. All of us picked our own spot to sit and relax for a much-needed break.
Someone looks like he found the best spot. Hehe 🙂
Before going to Hindang Falls, we had marang for a quick snack. If you haven’t heard of it before, this fruit is native to the southern part of the Philippines and is closely related to jackfruit.
The walk to the first and second tier of Hindang Falls was unbelievably short and easy.
I couldn’t say the same thing for the third tier, however.
Some opted to remain at this spot and enjoyed the view. But some (I, myself included), dared to take on the challenge.
With no safety gear, not even a harness, we climbed up a very steep, slippery slope where very few people dared to go even on a good day.
We grabbed and gripped on to whatever we can just to see the sequestered tier. One false move and we may never see the light of day again. This climb is probably the riskiest thing I’ve done to date.
YEY! Finally… right in front of our eyes. The majestic third tier of Hindang Falls, one of Iligan’s hidden wonders, standing right behind a cloak of lush green foliage.
Its cool, refreshing waters give a good hydromassage to weary bodies.
For those of us who dared to do the death-defying stunt, the spectacular view and therapeutic shower was the best way to wrap up the entire adventure.
Here are my tips for a safe, fun and ethical trek to Hindang Falls:
1. Never go without a local as a guide.
2. Have a buddy system and never separate from your group.
3. Wearing of appropriate apparel is a must. Invest in proper trekking footwear. I cannot stress this enough.
4. Leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photos. This is also worth mentioning again and again.
5. Bring proper equipment and wear safety gear. Don’t do what we did.
6. Assess your physical condition and climbing ability before going uphill especially for the third waterfall tier. It is for experienced trekkers and climbers only.
7. Check the weather forecast. Note that rain makes moderately easy treks difficult.
8. Give the guide a generous tip.
A quick shoutout to Manong Nick for being a patient, kind and generous guide. Look for him when in Hindang. He’s awesome!
We actually have a video of our Hindang adventure, check it out!
You can also read about our Hindang Falls Experience from these lovely people:
Bobby Timonera on MINDANEWS
Porsche on THEYANGONE
Yobz on AYOSAOI
