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Monday, March 14, 2005
Canopy Walk: Soaring high on my flight of fancy
By J.A. Fillarca
I WOULD never really pass up on the chance of having to tread through the Canopy Walk of Claveria, Misamis Oriental and when that opportunity came, I did everything even to the point that it would cost me a day's salary and would even withstand the embarrassment of being caught over some white lies I fabricated just so I could come along.
Why? Because that is my "ultimate" test to myself--to try walk on the highest suspended bridge there is in the Philippines connected among tall trees, be on top of everything, and be a spectator of the flourishing greenness 120 feet below.
Among the outdoor nature trips, there are challenges that involve heights that always enliven my spirit. My "specialty," so to speak. It made me think that maybe I was a bird of the wire of Tarzan, for that matter, in my previous life.
I was part of the team, together with the personalities from the Department of Tourism 10, the Engineering Department of the Province of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Oriental Provincial Tourism Office, the Local Government of Claveria and the De Oro Mountain Explorers, which initiated the said adventure.
From Cagayan de Oro, the trip to the place would take more or less an hour. You know, what I was seeing in my mind's eyes then was that walking through the Canopy would come so easy and effortless to me. I was taken by surprise when we finally arrived at the jump-off point, which is at the foot of the mountain and that later I learn that one needs to scale atop that peak locally called Mt. Magbais to be at the Canopy itself. And that's a good 1.5-kilometer expanse of land trail through.
Because I was so wound up to get to the place, I was among those who lead the trek along with our guide, but lo and behold, I suddenly halted after the first few minutes of walking because I was panting and was coming out of breath. I told myself that if this would be the place of the entire then I could not survive it. But I am the not type who gives up too easily.
If this meant defeat, I would not accept. After so much self-assurance, I engaged myself and took pleasure with the sight of the lush vegetation, got wet as I frolic on the small rocks at the miniature river I come across on the ways and relished the coldness of the foggy and misty surrounding. With that, I have put out of my mind whatever exhaustion I am actually feeling and never did I realize, I have finally arrived, at long last.
True to form, my descent through the 20-meter zipline to get to the first platform was easy. That is the foremost one would do prior to walking to the five hanging bridges one will be braving up against. I was delegated even to be the first among the 20 participants since our dashing and talented photographer-cum-business partner Bong would be taking photos of my dramatic plunge down.
After checking that my safety ropes are securely strapped up to the cable, off I took to the air, I was feeling so elated. But I have wished the ride to be longer. I don't want it to end--really. From the primary deck where I landed from the glide through the zipline, I keep in my mind what was previously instructed by Cocoy and Awe, guides from DOME, that one should maneuver along at the hanging bridge, meaning, one person at a time.
And as safety precaution, make it a point that the hooks of the two ropes attached to the body are securely fastened to the main cable and when one lands to another deck, by the way, there are five decks to get to, NEVER transfer both hooks at once, but individually. While keeping one hook at the main cable overhead, transfer the other hook to the cable circled around the tree on the deck, and after successfully doing that with the first hook, move on to the second hook. I assume you have guessed the reason why is that so.
As I sashayed along the 2-inch bars of the bridge, well, I felt like I am just walking through a concrete bridge really! I am not talking big here, but honestly, I have not felt any fear or trepidation. Maybe, good for me cause I happen to have no fear of heights and that being in there is an ultimate high, literally! Plus, I couldn't help but be captivated by the breathtaking view. You can have an aerial view of a magnificent landscape-still and unspoiled land, to me--Green trees, vast land crops--all nature's bounty, you would be awed by God's greatness. Thank you, Lord!
For all those people who made the realization if this DREAM possible, more so of passing with an "A" with the test I just had, I would forever be grateful to you, the Department of Tourism 10 especially for this opportunity comes not too often in our lives. And I dare all those nature aficionados, thrill-seekers, or just about everyone to try on this adventure you should not miss in this lifetime. It's a feeling of euphoria really.
I wish to be back but I am hoping that next time...the hanging bridge would extend up to the other mountain, where from there you would then catch a glimpse of the river beneath from there create another adventure of bungee-jumping form that point...I'm looking forward to that!
(March 14, 2005 issue)
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