Post by fireball on Sept 10, 2011 8:25:06 GMT 8
Bats: There were not a lot of bats. It was only at the end of the long right lateral where they seem to nest (hang?) in a small space that you really notice them. However, I did notice a sole bat hanging elsewhere so maybe a sign of that numbers will increase.
Guano: So far there is none even in the nesting chamber where I had worn a face mask as a precaution against its presence. However, again, I noticed an increase in cockroach numbers both near the entrance and further along the tunnel so they must be getting something to eat.
Lizards & Snakes: No sign of lizards or any other more substantial wildlife as of present. Certainly as the bat population increases the danger of snakes hanging around near the tight spots will increase. Off setting this Norlito and family will probably be continuously accessing the tunnel to keep a check on things which will no doubt include killing any snakes fast! The design of a tunnel, as against a cave, makes it somewhat less snake friendly but they are definitely something that you need to be aware of.
Other entrances & Ventilation: Certainly in Tunnel No. 1 we could not find any other entrances or ventilation shafts. Visually no signs and a check with a lighter showed no movement. The lighter flame was slightly higher than above ground and since changes are associated with decrease in oxygen I think (but may be completely wrong) that oxygen levels are slightly lower. But, the air felt quite fresh which might also reflect the lack of any organic material from guano, dead animals etc.
While I understand from the research of others that there is a suggestion of ventilation shafts, as the hill above the tunnel is very steep and the tunnel appears to be quite wide and high I would have thought mechanical ventilation from the entrance to be an easier option (along with the choice of an emergency exit via tunnel No. 2)
In the dry season it might be worth clambering up the slope inline with tunnel to see if there is any evidence, such as cutout platforms, of air shafts being drilled. This could also be done for tunnel No. 2.
Tunnel No. 3 would be interesting to check for airflow due to the debris that looks like it is being washed in at a point higher than the entrance (or any raised water levels at the entrance could make possible). Fots, I think, also noted that there appeared to be a slight gap at the top of the blocked end of the tunnel.
Water: This does not appear likely to have been as big a problem as one might imagine as even with the recent heavy rains the tunnel roof and floor was largely dry (that is damp maybe but not dripping water). While in a a couple of places there are a few stalactites these were very small. If Tunnel No. 1 had its entrance slightly above the level of the plain at the bottom of the hill then as long as there was a very slight inclination it would have been self draining.
The question of the water in the two vertical shafts is somewhat more interesting as the level appears be stable without overflowing. My theory is that since the current floor of the tunnel is just compressed debris any water seeps both downhill and out of the tunnel as well as into areas of less resistance (the vertical shafts).
Mosquito: On my first visit, while stationary just inside the entrance for about ten minutes pumping-up the inflatable boat there were a couple of mosquitos. This second trip I did not see any, but nor did we spend much time stationary except when far deeper inside the tunnel system.
Bantay not Guide: I forgot to mention this, but during the second trip Norlito assigned someone to accompany use. This was a bantay (watch over or guard) rather than guide. It is not a problem or issue but does highlight a continuing suspicion that these tunnels may contain gold or other valuables and we have a motive other than just interest in old military sites.
Guano: So far there is none even in the nesting chamber where I had worn a face mask as a precaution against its presence. However, again, I noticed an increase in cockroach numbers both near the entrance and further along the tunnel so they must be getting something to eat.
Lizards & Snakes: No sign of lizards or any other more substantial wildlife as of present. Certainly as the bat population increases the danger of snakes hanging around near the tight spots will increase. Off setting this Norlito and family will probably be continuously accessing the tunnel to keep a check on things which will no doubt include killing any snakes fast! The design of a tunnel, as against a cave, makes it somewhat less snake friendly but they are definitely something that you need to be aware of.
Other entrances & Ventilation: Certainly in Tunnel No. 1 we could not find any other entrances or ventilation shafts. Visually no signs and a check with a lighter showed no movement. The lighter flame was slightly higher than above ground and since changes are associated with decrease in oxygen I think (but may be completely wrong) that oxygen levels are slightly lower. But, the air felt quite fresh which might also reflect the lack of any organic material from guano, dead animals etc.
While I understand from the research of others that there is a suggestion of ventilation shafts, as the hill above the tunnel is very steep and the tunnel appears to be quite wide and high I would have thought mechanical ventilation from the entrance to be an easier option (along with the choice of an emergency exit via tunnel No. 2)
In the dry season it might be worth clambering up the slope inline with tunnel to see if there is any evidence, such as cutout platforms, of air shafts being drilled. This could also be done for tunnel No. 2.
Tunnel No. 3 would be interesting to check for airflow due to the debris that looks like it is being washed in at a point higher than the entrance (or any raised water levels at the entrance could make possible). Fots, I think, also noted that there appeared to be a slight gap at the top of the blocked end of the tunnel.
Water: This does not appear likely to have been as big a problem as one might imagine as even with the recent heavy rains the tunnel roof and floor was largely dry (that is damp maybe but not dripping water). While in a a couple of places there are a few stalactites these were very small. If Tunnel No. 1 had its entrance slightly above the level of the plain at the bottom of the hill then as long as there was a very slight inclination it would have been self draining.
The question of the water in the two vertical shafts is somewhat more interesting as the level appears be stable without overflowing. My theory is that since the current floor of the tunnel is just compressed debris any water seeps both downhill and out of the tunnel as well as into areas of less resistance (the vertical shafts).
Mosquito: On my first visit, while stationary just inside the entrance for about ten minutes pumping-up the inflatable boat there were a couple of mosquitos. This second trip I did not see any, but nor did we spend much time stationary except when far deeper inside the tunnel system.
Bantay not Guide: I forgot to mention this, but during the second trip Norlito assigned someone to accompany use. This was a bantay (watch over or guard) rather than guide. It is not a problem or issue but does highlight a continuing suspicion that these tunnels may contain gold or other valuables and we have a motive other than just interest in old military sites.