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Post by tomasctt on Sept 25, 2010 20:07:31 GMT 8
There is a possibility that I might go to The Rock next month. Schedule still TBD, hoping for 23-24 October, but might be as early as 9-10 October. I'm going to "chaperone" a couple (my two coworkers), but I intend to leave them and instead I will go to Batteries Cheney, Wheeler, and Smith. We'll be signing up for the Sun Cruises tour, but I intend to tell the tour peeps that I won't join the tranvia group and instead will rent a bike (possible?), bike all the way to Top Side, down the trail until I hit the fork leading to Wheeler and Cheney, go on foot to Cheney, then to Wheeler, then bike to the jump-off to Smith (which I will go to by foot). Questions: 1) Can I rent a bike there? Last time I was there (2005), I saw lots of people biking, and I heard that the bikes can be rented. If so, how much will it cost? 2) Anyone has maps to Cheney, Wheeler and Smith? I was on my way to Cheney in 2005, and the trail disappeared underneath tall grass and the jungle back then, so I didn't push through. I intend to make it there next time I'm at Fort Mills. Smith, too. Simple maps will do, with possible landmarks so I can orient it and navigate properly. If there's time (I hope to be back at the hotel by 1400hrs), I might as well bike to Tailside to Kindley Field (I haven't been there), visit the cemeteries thereat, and possibly even go to the ridge that Fots took a photo of. Any info, suggestions, etc will be greatly appreciated. I hope this trip pushes through. I miss the place, and always promised myself that "I shall return." This'll also serve as a recce for a more extensive trip sometime in the future (hopefully not so distant). Thank you all in advance.
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Post by fots2 on Sept 26, 2010 18:14:42 GMT 8
Hi tomasctt,
Your message tells me you have been to Corregidor before but I am not too sure how familiar you are with the island. I’ll just mention a few things to get you started.
- You have a good plan but unfortunately bikes are no longer for rent. A couple years ago a tourist shattered her elbow when her bike slid on moss growing on shaded parts of the road. It seemed to kill the whole idea. In the last two years I have only seen one bike and it was brought to the island by an overnight guest.
- There is no problem to not take the tour when you arrive on Corregidor Island. After disembarking, I walk up to the hotel (5 min), check-in, gear up for hiking and head out to where ever I wish. Often you can request a ride (to Topside for example) which saves time and effort. - If you follow your original plan but with the hotel ride modification, get a ride to the Topside Flagpole. A walk to the Wheeler/Cheney road fork is less than 10 minutes.
- I have photographs of the 1932 Corregidor map that I can e-mail to you. If you want the new digital maps which are excellent, I can put you in touch with mapmaster. One caution when using old maps. Today’s roads can be a mixture of original roads and original trolley lines. That is a bit confusing if you are keeping your nose to a map as you walk along. Don’t let that discourage you, the places you mention are easy to find. I can provide landmarks.
- This time of the year is nearing the end of the rainy season. As of mid August, remote trails have not had months of new grass cut. I doubt that has changed. Add to that a few fallen trees and branches from the last typhoon that hit Corregidor. You can get to Battery Cheney but plan for some extra time. One suggestion if the grass is overwhelming, try moving into the tree-line and walk parallel to the road. Grasses do not grow much in the tree shade but sometimes you have vines to deal with. You can make a call which is easier. Cheney is worth a visit. On emerging from the trees with the grasses still around, it is like you just discovered an ancient Mayan ruins. Chances that no one else will be there is usually 100%.
- When you return to the fork, Wheeler is only a 3 or 4 minutes away and easy walking even if there are uncut grasses.
- After Wheeler, you have an approximately 30 minute walk (with no stops) to get to Battery Smith. - Even if you bum a ride back down the hill to Bottomside, chances you will see all three locations and get back to the hotel by 1400 hrs is slim.
- Your message shows two possible dates of two days each. The reality is that you have two partial days (arriving 9:30am the first day and depart at 2:30pm the next day). To maximize that time and not be too rushed I would suggest concentrating more time on two of the areas you mention. You will have other trips to explore more.
Day 1 (10:30-11am starting at the Flagpole and ending at the hotel around suppertime) Battery Cheney, Battery Wheeler, Battery Boston, Wheeler Tunnel, C1 Tunnel, C1/G2 Command Posts and whatever you have time left for on the way back to the hotel.
Day 2 (8:00am to 12:00 noon back at the hotel) This gives you time for a shower and change of clothes and eat before the ferry leaves at 2:30pm.
Option A: Get a ride east to Kindley Field and walk back to the hotel stopping at Navy Radio Intercept Tunnel (NOT going inside), Battery Maxwell Keyes, up on Denver Ridge seeing gun blocks, infantry positions, Denver Tunnel, RJ43 tunnel.
Option B: Get a ride to Battery Hearn, explore here then walk to G1 Command Post, Battery Smith, Battery Grubbs. Lots more to see in the area if time permits. In this case I would arrange pick-up from the hotel van around noon to get you back to the hotel.
These itinerary suggestions will give you lots of time to explore each location. Add or remove any location as you see fit.
I expect to be going to Corregidor early next month and am flexible w.r.t. dates. My actual trip usually depends upon the weather forecast. I don’t mind some scattered rain at times I but it is not worth the bother or expense if worse than that. The typhoon season is not over yet either.
If you are interested in more information or a free guide, we can talk about it. Send me a personal message for details.
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Post by tomasctt on Sept 26, 2010 19:55:42 GMT 8
Thank you very much fots! That is a very informative post! Maps, even a simple, handwritten one with landmarks and a bit of topography (so I am aware how steep the terrain is) would be very helpful. Cheney, Wheeler, and Smith are "unfinished business." When I was there in April 2005, those three batteries were in my IT. However, I failed to reach them (for Cheney, the trail disappeared under tall grass and into the trees, and with low water remaining I turned back; low water meant I didn't go to Wheeler; as for Smith, I took the wrong road, retraced, and ended up heading to Grubbs). Having been to Way and Hearn twice already (my first Corregidor trip was a day trip in 2000), and having visited Geary, Crocket, and Grubbs in 2005, I've always wanted to return to Corregidor and visit Wheeler, Cheney, and Smith which are far from the usual tourist route. I will be doing the exploration on Day 1. On Day 2, I'll be "taking care" of my coworkers/the couple, so Day 2 for exploration is probably a no-go. Having mountaineering experience, I reckon I can explore Wheeler, Cheney, Smith, Boston, and other areas at Topside, and be at Way by at most 1630-1700hrs, then a "quick march" in the night to the hotel (or if I'm lucky, hitch a ride). I'll leave my main pack with the couple, and I'll be traveling light when I explore (3L water camelbak, trail food, First Aid kit, mobile phone, and other essential stuff plus camera of course). I am seriously thinking of riding with the tranvia up to Topside, whence I go to Cheney and Wheeler to save time and energy. However, that depends on the Sun Cruises route. ISTR that they visit Malinta first before heading to Topside, heading to the latter at around noon time. Noon time at Topside is too late for me though. If I walk on foot from the dock to Topside, I reckon it'll take me an hour and a half (I'm a slooooooooooooooooow trekker). Hence the bike plan, which it seems is a no-go now. Will still see. I hope we can meet up, fots. How would you be going there? From Bataan or taking Sun Cruises? Me and my coworkers can only do weekends. They won't be with me when I go exploring (they don't have any trekking experience, and I prefer they stay with the guided tour for safety reasons). BTW, I don't have GPS, and will be navigating purely by using a map and my own sense of direction. Also, I hate to admit it, but I haven't visited the Pacific War Museum in my two previous trips to Corregidor. ;D Partly because by the time I reach Topside, I am smelly from all that walking under the sun hahahahaha! ;D Might as well check it out if I have the time.
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Post by fots2 on Sept 26, 2010 21:40:08 GMT 8
You are welcome.
It sounds like you will have no problems getting around.
If you decide to hop on a tranvia, ask the guide if they are going to Topside first. Some of them always do. Remember that on leaving the dock, they split up so as to not be at the same batteries at the same time. Some go to Tailside first, some head to Middleside and Topside first then they all switch routes in the afternoon. You should be at the Flagpole before 10:30.
The great thing about a non-guided tour is you go where ever you want in the time you have. A mid day stop at the Pacific War Museum is a good idea for another reason. You can get a cool drink and buy more water or snacks if you want. Keep in mind that after the last tour bus passes by, approx 2pm, everyone goes home so nothing is open after that.
I always go to Corregidor with Sun Cruises via CCP. Weekends are fine with me. Only the weather is the unpredictable factor.
I’ll send you a personal message regarding some maps.
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Post by tomasctt on Sept 26, 2010 22:26:53 GMT 8
AHA! I guess I will make my life easier and will hitch a ride on the tranvia that goes to Topside first. I can always hang from the outside or ride on top if it's full. ;D Thanks fots for the help! I hope the weather cooperates next month (looks like we have a late typhoon season - quite dry, considering it's almost end of September) and the trip pushes through.
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Post by tomasctt on Sept 27, 2010 15:31:35 GMT 8
Ok, my coworkers just booked with Sun Cruises this morning. Our trip is on 9-10 October. Barring unforeseen circumstances, my trip is a go. WOOOHOOO! Hoping to successfully visit Cheney, Wheeler, and Smith this time.
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Post by buster on Sept 27, 2010 18:42:13 GMT 8
Simple way to get to Wheeler and Cheney.
Get a drop off at the old flagpole. Head west past the officers Qtrs until you come to a fork in the road. Left is to Wheeler, right is to Cheney.
For Smith, first get towards the fork that is immediately adjacent to the magazine atop Hearn. Go right, away from Hearn. You will see a branch off and down to your left. Take it. (Right goes to Grubbs) Follow it abd keep an eagle eye about 50-100 yards on your left to a pathway. Follow it down to Smith. You will need a flashlight this way.
If you can't find the pathway on the left (difficult to locate if overgrown) , follow this road and it will eventually wind around and down and take you to Smith, and Smith Tunnel. At which time, you'll wish you'd have brought a flashlight.
You can leave up through the Smith magazine, if you happen to have been unable to find the path down to it.
LOL
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Post by tomasctt on Sept 28, 2010 11:19:27 GMT 8
Thank you Buster! My problem with Cheney back in 2005 was that the trail disappeared under tall grass and trees. After seeing some photos on this board and other information on this group's website, I realized I was quite close to Cheney. Am I correct to say that Cheney was just behind those trees I saw? Thank you for the directions to Smith. I was under the impression that one has to crawl through Smith Tunnel to reach the gun. Is this correct? Reading your post, it sounds like so. Can the tunnel be walked or is it partially collapsed and crawling is required? I have to say I'm quite fat ;D (200lbs at only 5ft 3in tall) so I might have a hard time squeezing through the rubble hehehehe
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Post by fots2 on Sept 28, 2010 15:13:07 GMT 8
I am not sure what you mean by “Cheney was just behind those trees I saw” as there are trees all along that road. As a rough guess, from the Wheeler/Cheney fork in the road to Battery Cheney it is at least a 10 minute non-stop walk on a good road. With high grasses, trees and branches that are now across the road it will take longer.
As for Smith, taking the pathway (old mini trolley line with concrete on the pathway) is definitely the way to go and more interesting. If you decide to walk the old road, it is longer and has high grasses but you enter the battery directly at the gun location.
Directions: As you leave the main road that continues on to Grubbs, walk about 5 minutes looking on the left for the pathway with a white wooden sign that says “Battery Smith”. Hotel guides take their overnight guests here sometimes so they keep it reasonably clear of branches etc. The pathway is good walking and in about two minutes you will see the entrance to a tunnel.
No need to crawl, you can walk upright all the way through the tunnel out to the gun. Actually you need to lean over at the final exit but it is no problem. Explore in the tunnel to see the magazines. You cannot get lost inside. The two entrances are straight ahead of each other and the magazines are on the south side. Definitely bring a good flashlight.
Have a good trip.
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Post by tomasctt on Sept 29, 2010 8:31:44 GMT 8
Back in 2005, I followed a leaf-covered road to Wheeler and Cheney. I reached the fork, turned right to Cheney. The road (I call it a trail because it was covered in dead leaves - this was in April 2005), went down. Trees were on the side. Eventually, the trail disappeared in some tall grass, and some ten meters in front of me were trees. I didn't push through anymore. As for Smith, I had left Hearn and saw the white wooden sign. I took that pathway and continued walking down on it (again, it was covered with dead leaves, but only partly). I went on and ISTR that there was a trail going ahead, while the main road curved down to the left. I followed the main road, saw that the trail went down even further, and I turned back. Below is the main road I followed going to Wheeler and Cheney back in 2005: Judging from your posts, apparently I was **this** close to reaching Cheney and Smith.
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