8th wonder: Canyoningin Dos Andanas waterfalls

WHEN friends asked me how it was

like to go canyoning--the art of

rappelling down a waterfall--I told

them it feels like encountering the 8th

wonder of the world. Well, more or less.

The truth is, it was one of those significant decisive moments of

my life.

When I looked down

the cliff 80 meters

below, my feet shook

and my heart pounded.

I was tempted to tell the

guys, ''I'm going home!''

But hell no, I convinced

myself. I had been into

this kind of thing before

and I know I will mourn it if I let this opportunity, or whatever

they call it, pass.

The rain poured hard that afternoon. There were seven of us

members of the Panaw-Balanghai Mountaineers marching on

the rising foothills of Mt. Mayapay in Butuan City.

Our goal was to reach the top of Dos Andanas, a two-tiered

waterfall literally hanging on to dear life due to deforestation in

the area.

Reaching it, Francis Charlie Uy, the INQUIRER's contributing

photographer, group leader and instructor, positioned himself

on the ledge and prepared the paraphernalia.

Everyone seemed relaxed. I pulled out a Tanduay (rhum) to help

ease whatever tension there was.

Strangely, nobody was interested. I assumed everyone was

either too tense or excited to even take a sip despite the rain and

cold.

I was still trying to make up my mind whether to go home or not.

It was like a fight between good and evil.

One last look down and my fright was reinforced when I saw

those who had gone ahead had become the size of ants. Must

be hallucination. But it sure was threatening.

Finally, it was my turn (I was second to the last). I nervously

clambered the slippery cliff toward Charlie and listened to

instructions.

I held the rope and positioned myself against the rock. ''Don't

look down'' I kept telling myself. ''Concentrate on the rope.''

My hands were tightly gripping the rope. My feet trembled. I

carefully released myself down, slowly. Then I realized I was in a

crawling position.

I called out to Charlie. I wanted to stand up or straighten myself

because my feet were aching. He called back, ''You're supposed

to be in a standing position! Get up!''

Amused at my own awkwardness, I slowly straightened myself

and felt better. The water was buzzing and I got wet. I managed

to relax and followed the techniques of sliding. Around me was

magnificence. I was at the center of rumbling waters and

boulders.

Here I was, hanging on a rope, suspending myself, clinging to

dear life. But I was in control. Incredible!

Suddenly, I was spinning because of the falling waters. I ended

up laughing and shouting.

Confident now, I took time to rest and inched toward the water.

It was like a giant pail of water thrown at me. Then I carefully

slid until I reached the end of the rope and jumped into the pool.

I did what everyone else did: Shout in ecstacy and victory.

Looking up with a sense of pride, relief and awe, I could not

believe I did it.

It felt like the 8th wonder.