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Wawa Dam, Montalban, Rizal Rock Climbing
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| Elevation: | 127 ft |
| GPS: |
14.7313, 121.1855 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 42,863 total · 287/month |
| Shared By: | Kathie R on Jan 22, 2012 · Updates |
| Admins: | Frances Fierst |
Description
A lot of the info for many of the area pages comes from Climb Philippines. Climb Philippines Their information is shared on Mountain Project with their permission.
Wawa Dam is the site of the first outdoor sport climbs in the Philippines. It was developed in the late 80's through the efforts of mountaineers from the University of Sto. Tomas and University of the Philippines. From a few traditional routes, it has grown into more than 20 crags with over 100 routes in total. There are a wide variety of climbs in this area, sport and trad from easy 5.6 to 5.13. There is also bouldering ranging V1 to V6.
Throughout the years however, illegal settlers began to crowd around the dam which makes access to the crags difficult. Some are still viable climbs while others have overgrowth and unkempt paths that make treks challenging. Not all crags are maintained, so be ready for surprises! In the span of 30 years, it has also seen many access issues, with some crags situated in privately-owned lands. However, as of 2009, Rodriguez has been opened up to climbers, bikers and vacationers through payment of minimal fees. Hopefully, this arrangement will be here to stay.
Overall, Wawa Dam provides enjoyable climbs for those sick of plastic indoor holds and want a break from their tedious indoor routine.
Wawa Dam is the site of the first outdoor sport climbs in the Philippines. It was developed in the late 80's through the efforts of mountaineers from the University of Sto. Tomas and University of the Philippines. From a few traditional routes, it has grown into more than 20 crags with over 100 routes in total. There are a wide variety of climbs in this area, sport and trad from easy 5.6 to 5.13. There is also bouldering ranging V1 to V6.
Throughout the years however, illegal settlers began to crowd around the dam which makes access to the crags difficult. Some are still viable climbs while others have overgrowth and unkempt paths that make treks challenging. Not all crags are maintained, so be ready for surprises! In the span of 30 years, it has also seen many access issues, with some crags situated in privately-owned lands. However, as of 2009, Rodriguez has been opened up to climbers, bikers and vacationers through payment of minimal fees. Hopefully, this arrangement will be here to stay.
Overall, Wawa Dam provides enjoyable climbs for those sick of plastic indoor holds and want a break from their tedious indoor routine.
Getting There
By private vehicle: There are two ways to get to Wawa – one which goes from Cubao, Quezon City and goes through Marikina City – this route tends to have very heavy traffic though. It is recommended to take the route through Commonwealth Avenue.
From Commonwealth, turn right to the road going to Batasang Pambansa, following the curving road until it you see Payatas Avenue to your right (marked by bottleneck traffic and market vendors all over the sidewalk). Go through Payatas, down the mountain, and right once you come across a junction. Follow this tricycle-infested highway to the end, and turn left. Then just follow this last road until you hit Wawa. You would have finally reached it once you get to the end of the road (because it turns into narrow walkway un-passable by vehicles), with a wide empty/parking lot on your left
By public transport: There are now three ways to reach Wawa:
1. Take Cubao-Montalban jeepney / FX to the end of its route (P25)
2. From Philcoa, take the jeepney marked “Philcoa-San Rafael via San Mateo” all the way to its end (P12)
3. You can take any jeepney heading Fairview and go down at Litex. Take the jeep to San Jose Market (P6). Take one more jeep to San Rafael (P3).
All routes lead to San Rafael where you take one last ride into the dead-end road of Wawa.
From Commonwealth, turn right to the road going to Batasang Pambansa, following the curving road until it you see Payatas Avenue to your right (marked by bottleneck traffic and market vendors all over the sidewalk). Go through Payatas, down the mountain, and right once you come across a junction. Follow this tricycle-infested highway to the end, and turn left. Then just follow this last road until you hit Wawa. You would have finally reached it once you get to the end of the road (because it turns into narrow walkway un-passable by vehicles), with a wide empty/parking lot on your left
By public transport: There are now three ways to reach Wawa:
1. Take Cubao-Montalban jeepney / FX to the end of its route (P25)
2. From Philcoa, take the jeepney marked “Philcoa-San Rafael via San Mateo” all the way to its end (P12)
3. You can take any jeepney heading Fairview and go down at Litex. Take the jeep to San Jose Market (P6). Take one more jeep to San Rafael (P3).
All routes lead to San Rafael where you take one last ride into the dead-end road of Wawa.
Permits / Fees / Registration
Aling Norma’s is a food stall (or carinderia in Filipino) where practically every Wawa visitor –climbers, mountaineers, bikers – has eaten in. If it’s your first time in Montalban, introduce yourself to Aling Norma. A friend and mother-figure to many climbers, she is very accommodating.
Before heading out to the crag, please register your name & intended climbing destination in the logbook kept with Aling Norma. If you are affiliated with a club, group, or organization, you may write that down too.
As of November 2018, the local tourist office requires each group to pay a P300 fee - split the fee amongst all of the climbers who visit one sector and pay to the tourist office or to Nene/Malou who will pass it to the local tourist office.
If you bring your own vehicle, there is a P20 fee for parking. This you settle with a parking attendant. Just remember to remember the name of whoever receives the money, so you donÂ’t end up paying more than once.
Before heading out to the crag, please register your name & intended climbing destination in the logbook kept with Aling Norma. If you are affiliated with a club, group, or organization, you may write that down too.
As of November 2018, the local tourist office requires each group to pay a P300 fee - split the fee amongst all of the climbers who visit one sector and pay to the tourist office or to Nene/Malou who will pass it to the local tourist office.
If you bring your own vehicle, there is a P20 fee for parking. This you settle with a parking attendant. Just remember to remember the name of whoever receives the money, so you donÂ’t end up paying more than once.
Food and Accomodation
Meals are usually taken at Aling NormaÂ’s, where the typical morning fare include lugaw (Filipino congee) with hard-boiled egg and mami (egg noodle soup), while lunch/dinner favorites are the fried chicken and pinoy-style spaghetti (noodles + ketchup).
You can take sari-sari store snacks (banana, bread, or junk food) with you to the crags, but what most climbers do is eat a full breakfast and just finish the day with a late lunch/early dinner. Bring lots of water with you, especially when there’s no sign of cloud cover – the tropical sun will drain you pretty fast.
After a dayÂ’s climbing, one can also spend the night at Aling NormaÂ’s, which is furnished with one bathroom and 2-3 sleeping quarters. This is just fitting, so that you wonÂ’t have to crawl far after the post-climb session overflowing with chitchat, videoke, San Miguel, and Red Horse.
You can take sari-sari store snacks (banana, bread, or junk food) with you to the crags, but what most climbers do is eat a full breakfast and just finish the day with a late lunch/early dinner. Bring lots of water with you, especially when there’s no sign of cloud cover – the tropical sun will drain you pretty fast.
After a dayÂ’s climbing, one can also spend the night at Aling NormaÂ’s, which is furnished with one bathroom and 2-3 sleeping quarters. This is just fitting, so that you wonÂ’t have to crawl far after the post-climb session overflowing with chitchat, videoke, San Miguel, and Red Horse.
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