From Dreaming to Doing: Opening Kiokong's Great White Wall
Words by Noel Cabauatan. Photos by Nick Aguilos and Arjun'a Actub. Mackie Makinano and his team are definitely pushing the boundaries of Philippine climbing with their recent feat of bolting and free climbing one of Quezon, Bukidnon's biggest walls. "Unang bolt pa lang, tuwang-tuwa na ako," "Even with just the first bolt in, I was already happy" The dream was created way back in 1999, when Kuya Mackie first laid eyes on Kiokong's Great White Wall. With its [...]
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Mackie Makinano and his team are definitely pushing the boundaries of Philippine climbing with their recent feat of bolting and free climbing one of Quezon, Bukidnon's biggest walls.
"Unang bolt pa lang, tuwang-tuwa na ako,"
"Even with just the first bolt in, I was already happy"
"Unang bolt pa lang, tuwang-tuwa na ako,"
"Even with just the first bolt in, I was already happy"
The dream was created way back in 1999, when Kuya Mackie first laid eyes on Kiokong's Great White Wall. With its entire height exposed to you straight off from the highway, no climber, least of all Kuya Mackie, wouldn't want to explore the intricacies of this beast.
Photo by Arjun'a Actub
While a handful of routes were initially bolted 21 years ago, it was only in 2017, through the efforts of the local mountaineering community in partnership with the Bukidnon Local Government, did climbing development in Kiokong formally, and officially, begin.
Photo by Arjun'a Actub
The excitement and determination swelled so much not just inside of Kuya Mackie, but within the whole Philippine climbing community, that in just a little over two years, the QZN Bolting Team was able to raise enough funds to setup over 200 routes in the municipality.
Fresh from celebrating the arrival of a new decade, Mackie and his bolting team set out on January 6, 2020 to Quezon, Bukidnon with establishing Kiokong's Great White Wall as their objective.
Fresh from celebrating the arrival of a new decade, Mackie and his bolting team set out on January 6, 2020 to Quezon, Bukidnon with establishing Kiokong's Great White Wall as their objective.
The west faced cliff proved to be a challenge to bolt. The team would have to start their day early; any later than noon and the sun would be well over them.
On the average, a day’s work would contribute a single pitch—cleaned and bolted. Kuya Mack recalls having to abseil at 4:30 PM one day just to finish a pitch where its anchors would be useful for the next day.
He doesn't fail to mention the scorching heat both from the sun and the rock. The thirst and fatigue was one of a kind, he said, that even a sized-up pair of Testarossas didn’t stop his feet from hurting.
Photo by Arjun'a Actub
But through team effort, the last bolt was placed, and the anchors were set. Just another day for the team making Philippine climbing history.
The wall is described as slightly overhanging; there is at least a daunting 100 meters of white limestone looking down on you right before you begin your climb. Falling would have you hanging in the air, meters away from the wall. The route, varied with its different features and formations, tests all of a climbers' repertoire of beta.
Photo by Arjun'a Actub
But the true crux of the route lies on preparing as best as you can and staying alert through the entire climb: considering the state of yourself, your partner and your surroundings.
Photo by Arjun'a Actub
Aside from the skills required to set up your own anchors, climb/belay, and abseil, rockfall is inevitable, especially for this freshly-bolted line.
Slow progress through technical terrain is not a bad thing, but an immediate consequence would be the scorching heat of the sun. Nonetheless, as with the sport in general, the balance of safety and risk is what gives it its sense of adventure.
We asked Kuya Mackie to share their experience of making the first ascent of such an iconic route, but in response, he simply suggests for all those curious to reach out to the rest of the team: Arjun Actub, Lorenz Pring, Mikhail Gorra, Monyen Rivera, and Repa Pips.
Reach out to the team, he says, they have their own thrill and excitement to share.
Reach out to the team, he says, they have their own thrill and excitement to share.
At his current state, with all the bolting work done and dusted, the hype of the first ascent simmers in contrast to making irrefutable progress on his dream of making Quezon, Bukidnon the rock climbing capital of the Philippines.
From hurdling initial access issues and raising enough funds, down to putting together a team to see the project through, Kuya Mackie was able to establish the longest and tallest multi-pitch line in the country.
From hurdling initial access issues and raising enough funds, down to putting together a team to see the project through, Kuya Mackie was able to establish the longest and tallest multi-pitch line in the country.
We share in Kuya Mackie’s gratitude towards the incredible support he received from Pinoy climbers all over. Notwithstanding our appreciation for his hard work, in particular, we’re grateful for the stoke that this growing community provides through its spirit of “bayanihan”.
Photo by Arjun'a Actub
So many individuals pitched in to make the project a success, and we witnessed it from both newbies and oldies, gym rats and seasoned rock climbers, through help donated in various forms: time, money, and whatever personal skills or resources each one had.
Photo by Arjun'a Actub
It couldn't be helped, but a climber thrives in looking for more challenges, and in learning as much from what the rock has to offer.
Kuya Mackie is confident that the momentum doesn’t end at this milestone. The first route of the multi-pitch, which is also the line’s most difficult pitch at 6c, leads to many more possibilities.
He mentions of more complex features on all directions away from this first pitch (complex could possibly mean harder) that we may still believe a lot has to happen for us to try, and for now as climbers, we can only dream.
Thankfully for Kuya Mackie, dreaming won't have to take another decade. There's the first route already – this striking line literally set in stone – a second one is far from impossible.
Thankfully for Kuya Mackie, dreaming won't have to take another decade. There's the first route already – this striking line literally set in stone – a second one is far from impossible.
The Philippine Bolting team would once again like to thank all those who've supported them:
#8aPerformance
#Boon
#SeaToSummitPH
#OspreyPH
#BlackDiamondPH
#LGUQuezonBukidnon
#GripUP
#ConanCruz
#8aPerformance
#Boon
#SeaToSummitPH
#OspreyPH
#BlackDiamondPH
#LGUQuezonBukidnon
#GripUP
#ConanCruz
To those wanting to climb in Quezon, Bukidnon, you may contact Kuya Mackie directly for route information and all its technicalities.
To those wanting to extend financial support to Philippine outdoor climbing, please do not hesitate to contact us. ClimbPhilippines consolidates support to the bolting team and we will also be happy to provide you with information on climbing around the Philippines.
To those wanting to extend financial support to Philippine outdoor climbing, please do not hesitate to contact us. ClimbPhilippines consolidates support to the bolting team and we will also be happy to provide you with information on climbing around the Philippines.
