The Altar in Libtec Crystal Cave (a.k.a. Quiling Crystal Cave)

Libtec Crystal Cave, also known as Quilling Crystal Cave, is located in Dolores, a municipality in the nature-blessed province of Abra. A haven of bats, this full of mineral deposit cave is an easy spelunking destination.

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Location

• Libtec, Dolores, Abra, Philippines

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How to get to Libtec Crystal Cave

• Get to Bangued, Abra
  • From Manila: Partas Bus (fare and schedule here) or Dominion Transit Bus bound to Bangued. Approx. trip duration: about 9 hours.
  • From Baguio City: Take a Partas Bus (Php314.00*) or a mini bus (Php250.00*) bound to Bangued. Approx. trip duration: about 6 hours.
  • Private vehicles: Directions can be easily asked from the friendly Abra locals.

• From Bangued to Libtec, Dolores
  • Single motor: Around Php600.00* (negotiable; round trip, with side trips)
  • Jeepney + Tricycle: Take a jeep at Bangued bound to Dolores then drop at Talugtog crossing. From there, take a tricycle to Libtec Barangay Hall.

Any fees, scheduled trips, routes, or facilities mentioned here are subject to change according to existing and current government, private, or association rules.

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Drop-off Point

From the Barangay Hall to cave entrance, during rainy season when the road is muddy, it takes at least 30 minutes walk. Expect that to be shorter during summer when the non-cemented part is easily passable.

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Contact Person/Group

• Mayor’s Office: (074) 752-9278; (074) 752-8081
• Dolores, Abra Libtec Crystal cave webpage
• Dolores, Abra Facebook Page

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Fees/Rental/Facilities

• Registration Fee: As of 2016, donations only are given to the guide and to the barangay (updates to be posted later).
• Hard hat, knee & elbow pads rental: None.
• Shower facility: Not needed.

Any fees, scheduled trips, routes, or facilities mentioned here are subject to change according to existing and current government, private, or association rules.

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Cave Characteristics

• Mineral deposit formations: Abundant.
• Underground river: No.
• Bat population: Numerous.
• Multichamber: Yes.
• Human artefacts: None discovered yet.
• Cave floor fill (aside from stone formations): Bat droppings, soil, mud, and pebbles.
• Spelunking duration: approximately less than an hour.
• DENR Cave Classification: not yet officially assessed.

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Description

Libtec Crystal Cave, also known as Quilling Crystal Cave, is located in Dolores, a municipality in the nature-blessed province of Abra. A haven of bats, this full of mineral deposit cave is an easy spelunking destination.

The cave is situated in Barangay Libtec, hence the name Libtec Crystal Cave. The “crystal” comes from the microcrystals on the surface of the mineral deposits that shines when light is focused into it. According to the locals, even before the Second World War when Libtec is not yet populated the presence of the cave is already known to hunters and trappers from nearby areas such as Tayum, Abra. Decades after the Japanese regime, treasure hunters had also explored the caves, hoping that some Japanese treasures were kept and left there. Today, it is a bat-hunting ground as the cave is heavily populated with kurarapnit (bats). Bat droppings had also been gathered by the locals to be used as fertilizer. Possibly, other animals use the chambers as a habitat especially those near the exits.

Libtec Crystal Cave, like the Sibud-Sibud Cave in Tineg or Capisaan Cave in Nueva Vizcaya, it is also a multi-chambered cave with a continuous cavern covering most of its length. It also boasts a multitude of beautifully-formed mineral deposits in the form of stalagmites, stalactites, straws, drapery, and flowstones. The length of the cave is not even close to a kilometer but the walls, floor, and roof are teeming with beautifully-formed and -colored mineral deposits. There are a lot of stone formation like a bird, banana blossom, horse, and many more.

Unlike Sagada Caves and Aran Cave, spelunking in Libtec Crystal Cave is not as arduous. Crawling, sliding, wading through icy water and rappelling are not required. It is a generally easy-take-you-time adventure inside the cave. There are two entry points (could also be utilized as exit points), however, only one is being utilized since the other is located halfway along the length of the cave. It is also noticeable numerous fallen blocks of mineral stones, most probably breakdown happened during earthquakes. As you enter and marvel at the formations inside, you will also be serenaded by the flaps and squeaks of bats.

Factors that hinder the promotion of this beautiful cave include the distance from the NCR where local tourists usually come from, lack of hourly public transportation, and the often misunderstood peace stigma of Abra. Like Sibud-Sibud Cave, Libtec Crystal Cave also has no standard guide fee, guides are not yet trained like those in the heavily populated cave tourist destinations, and no spelunking device rentals. Fortunately, the barangay is very keen with the safety of the tourists. At least one guide is often dispatched to accompany the tourists.

Other notable tourist destinations in the municipality are the Libtec Underground River, Simmimbaan Picnic Groove and a private resort.

Lastly, and again, no matter how good or beautiful the cave is, it will decay if we will not protect it. Please practice the LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES.

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Gallery

After braving the grasses on the way to the cave, here is the entrance. This is the only part where you need to stoop-walk. The second image, shows a closer look of the entrance.

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You would know that the cave is laden with stone formations with this sight upon passing through the narrow entrance.

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Upon entry, you would notice an immediate widening of the passageway. You would not miss the roof near the entrance of the cave. It is obvious that bats are inhabiting this chamber with the color of the stone and of the droppings on the floor.

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Unfortunately, the beauty of the cave have been besmirched many times in the past. The stalactites could have been more beautiful if the tips have been spared by vandal and thieves. But even with the vandalisms, it is still a sight to behold.

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Dripstones are all over the place.

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These are boulder sizes, by the way. Also, notice the myriad of colors the formations have to offer.

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Stone formations resembling objects and parts of the body are also a source of wonder. We have shapes with the like of a heart, fist, horse, etc.

The HEART…

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A GARGOYLE ready to spring…

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Yup, it does look like a HORSE!

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Censored? Nah, its a hardened SCROTUM, maybe a case of undescended testicle.

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A PEARLY SHELL… but not from the ocean.

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Uh-oh, an ANGRY FIST!

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And the ALTAR. This is situated at the end of the journey. I consider this as the best part of the cave.

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Here are other sights to behold:

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The chambers, more of caverns, are quite spacious. It is also mostly dry.

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The white color of some stone formations adds to the myriad of colors inside, to the delight of spelunkers.

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Please DO NOT TOUCH the stone formations! Each of them are growing at a very slow pace. It takes hundreds of years to form a decent stone through drips and flowing water.

For responsible spelunking/caving please do not forget the LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES.

NOTE: I initially planned to go to the Libtec Underground River. However, the place is closed to visitors during rainy season as it is filled with water. By chance, the Barangay Chairman mentioned the Libtec Crystal Cave, hence this article. The history of the cave was given by 2016 Libtec Barangay Chairman. I was saddened at the extent of vandalism inside the cave. Despite of this, what you will see inside would still capture your heart.

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Disclaimer: As much as we want to give the most accurate information for the readers, change will always occur (e.g., contact number, transportation, fees, etc.). With this, please do comment below any updates as well as corrections on the content, anything amiss, or any information that you think is crucial to the readers. Iyaman!