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Post by piercebennett on Feb 13, 2015 11:26:51 GMT 8
My next trip to Corregidor won't be for a little while, but I have a number of questions that would be helpful to have resolved for when I'm there next. I thought I might ask them here, and then eventually post pictures from my actual trip when the time comes. I plan to cover a lot of Corregidor on this trip, so I have a variety of questions pertaining to many different locations. My first question has to do with the South Shore Road. What is it's current state? As I understand, it is quite eroded and has landslides. I want to spend some time walking along the southern part of the head starting at Barrio Concepcion and going as far as Monja. Is the road impassible, or just hard to traverse? Would the emplacements and buildings south of the road be easier to access somewhere from the beach? Thanks.
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Post by fots2 on Feb 14, 2015 10:21:26 GMT 8
You cannot get from Bottomside to the Battery Monja (Wheeler Point) area via the South Shore Road anymore. From Bottomside to Breakwater Point just past Government Ravine is possible although the walking will have some obstacles. This road is not maintained at all and recent typhoon damage has not been cleared.
West of Breakwater Point the South Shore Road has frequent landslides and does not exist in many places anymore. If you are really energetic you can get to the south shoreline from Topside but renting a boat is a much easier way to get there. Getting down Government Ravine is easy from Middleside.
Many interesting things can be seen if you approach from the beach however you cannot walk the beach further than roughly ¾ the way between Breakwater Point and Geary Point (unless you want to swim around some big rocks).
Have a look at some of the trip reports here from Karl and I to give you an idea of the terrain you will encounter.
It is great to explore off-road. Have fun!
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Post by piercebennett on Feb 14, 2015 10:58:33 GMT 8
I have seen a lot of the photos you and Karl have posted, so I sort of knew what the terrain was like, but I wasn't exactly sure of the specifics. Are the landslides similar to the one on the south of Malinta? I have walked over that one, and I am wondering if it is possible to walk the general path of the South Shore Road, without actually walking on the actual path, or if it is possible to walk over piles of rocks that may have fallen.
In addition to seeing the things on the South Shore Road, I plan to go around the entire head. (walking and swimming) Do you imagine that it would be easier to see the gun emplacements and Searchlights along the road, on the same day that I went around the island along the beach? If I end up having to get there via the beach, is it at all possible to walk up to the emplacements like Battery Cushing, or is it too steep? I have seen pictures of "the wall" near Breakwater Point, so I know it can be pretty steep in some places. I am interested in being able to get really close to things, so would walking from the beach allow me to do this?
I agree. Exploring off-road is one of my favorite things to do on Corregidor!
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Post by fots2 on Feb 14, 2015 13:59:51 GMT 8
The south shore of Corregidor has the most difficult terrain on the island. I have not heard of anyone dying there since the war so don’t let me scare you. It can be a challenge though. Here are some rambling thoughts in no particular order. Since I do not know you personally I will also mention some general things.
Can you walk from Bottomside to Battery Monja along the South Shore Road? No! The road is completely missing now in at least a couple locations. From a boat you can see extremely steep landslides of very loose rocks which look like almost cliffs. Getting around those locations might be possible but in my opinion is not worth the considerable effort or potential injury. We prefer renting a boat or getting there via another route.
One thing you will notice along the south side of Corregidor is that due to getting so much sun, areas that are not shaded by big trees are very overgrown with thick high grasses, thorny vines and scrubby trees. This can make travel anywhere from difficult to near impossible. Some places vegetation is so thick that you cannot even see your feet after taking a step which is actually dangerous. Try not to think about stepping on a cobra’s tail! Add broken/loose rock and the going can be rough. Unless there is something extremely close by that you need to find, a detour is the best plan.
Parts of the South Shore Road is an example of this terrain west of Breakwater Point. I find a combination of old road and walking the beach works well. Some places are too steep to climb however if you go ahead or back a ways, you can get up and backtrack to where ever you are going. I have not found any place I could not get to along the south side of the island but it is slow and difficult at times.
Consider this; to get injured along this coast would be a bad thing. Cellular phone coverage has improved in the past few years but is still sketchy in low spots. You may attract a nearby fisherman or two if you are lucky.
There is no way you can see all there is to see (batteries, searchlights, defensive positions, strategic storage shelter and tunnels) in one day. A few days would be more reasonable. Pick sections to do and have an exit route or two planned i.e. up Crockett Ravine or Cheney Ravine etc. By 3pm head up out of there to Topside. Sunset comes early in the ravines and it gets surprisingly dark under the canopy around 4 to 5pm. Not good for seeing where you are walking. Have a good map.
From the beach, you can look up at Battery Cushing but you cannot get up there directly. Walk either a couple minutes westward to an area not so steep or eastward to a mini-ravine up to Searchlight #6. West is easier. That little section of the South Shore Road is good walking for a few minutes.
The landslides along the South Shore Road around Malinta Hill are easy to get across, just be careful. The danger there is more rocks randomly coming down from the cliff above you which could ruin your day. Chances are not great that that would happen to you but for me I prefer walking through the tunnel or the North Shore Road from now on.
Along the west side of Government Ravine and before you come to Breakwater Point is the “wall” you mentioned. It is back from the coast but very easy walking there.
If you don’t mind the heat and humidity, I would recommend your trip be later in the dry season such as March or April. The green vegetation will die down quite a bit and you can see through it much better. A lot of what you want to do will be easier. If you are coming from a cool winter climate, be aware that the heat and humidity and maybe even jetlag will suck the energy out of you. Be in good shape and pack more water than you think you will need.
Since you have been off-road on Corregidor then you probably know what to wear, I won’t mention that. I have been dumb enough to travel this area alone but hiring a hotel guide for safety reasons would be a good idea.
When Phantom gets back from Corregidor in a few days, he might have some more suggestions for you, he is good at that. Karl should be there now too as the February 16th anniversary is fast approaching.
Final note. I have been down on the south side enough times to know that conditions can be different from month to month and even in different years. Take what I say with a grain of salt. Be prepared, be flexible, you will have a memorable time.
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Post by piercebennett on Feb 15, 2015 8:51:01 GMT 8
Thanks for the reply! I haven't personally been to this part of the island, so the details were much appreciated. I will probably go with at least one other person, so hopefully we both don't simultaneously fall off a cliff and someone is able to get help. What is the vegetation like late May/Early June like? That is probably when I will go. It starts to get rainier at that point, but do the plants get a chance to grow up and cause trouble by then? Thanks again for putting up with all of my questions!
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Post by fots2 on Feb 16, 2015 4:19:30 GMT 8
That time of the year is unpredictable. The rains may have started by then. If so then Corregidor gets green quite quickly but the grasses take awhile to get high again.
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Post by piercebennett on Feb 16, 2015 8:54:53 GMT 8
Alright thanks. I'll keep that in mind.
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Post by piercebennett on Mar 2, 2015 2:49:17 GMT 8
I have a quick question regarding the landslide in the south side of Malinta. Does the pile of rocks cover up what is left of the Malinta Tunnel South Entrance?
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Post by fots2 on Mar 2, 2015 4:25:00 GMT 8
No they do not cover it up. Walking from Bottomside, look east of the first (and largest) landslide.
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Post by piercebennett on Mar 2, 2015 6:30:30 GMT 8
That is good news. I have never checked out the South Entrance and it would be a pity, if it was sealed up forever, before I got to see it.
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