Mount Pinatubo

June 08, 2013

Mount Pinatubo is famous for its 1991 eruption. It became a global calamity with so many environmental effects. I am not an expert on this dark history of Pinatubo so I'll give you a link from Wikipedia.

Link for Mount Pinatubo Info

After this sad story. Pinatubo is now a famous tourist destination for its 4 x 4 ride and trekking up to the hidden crater.

Here is the location of Mount Pinatubo (A) in reference to Manila

• 03:00 I went to Victory Liner Terminal in Cubao for the Dagupan Route. Take note to alight at Capas. (Landmark is Pure Gold - Flying V - Caltex - Landbank - McDonald's. Fare: P 91.00)

Manila to Capas Bus Route

• 05:30 After disembarking from the bus, our group (I traveled with officemates Victa & Engle, Victa invited her friend Rod and his gang from BPI) ate at McDonald's before riding a tricycle to Santa Juliana. (Tricycle is good for 3 pax, Fare: P 100.00 each)

The 22 km ride from Caltex Station to Jump Off Point

• 06:30 Jump off point. There's a restroom and a hut to relax before the trek, along with P 25.00 conservation fee and a waiver. (We also paid for a guide for P 500.00 and a 4 x 4 for P 3,500.00) The 4-wheel cars were good for 4 persons, luckily ours was good for 5 so more people to share with the costly ride. Trekking with no guide is prohibited.

B1 & B2 on board a 4x4 at the Jump Off Point

 The A Team before the massacre

• 07:00 We started our 4 x 4 ride. The ride was exhilarating! The lahar or mud flow was a smooth ride. After about an hour the ride became bumpy and shaky when we were crossing streams and rocky terrains. I suggest you choose a 4 x 4 with no roof as the ride is more enjoyable if you are standing at the back and not like crammed sardines inside an enclosed can.

 The Start of the Lahar 4x4 Ride

 You can enjoy the view if your 4x4 does not have a roof

 Avoid letting rival teams overtake you or you'll be suffocated by the lahar dust

• 08:00 We stopped at what they call the Toblerone Hills for its triangular formation. Took some photos before proceeding to the 7 km mark for the trek to the crater.

Toblerone Hills!!!

I came, I saw, I conquered

Jumpshot with Toblerone Hills as background

The last picture before the Kamikaze Attack to Mt. Pinatubo

The start of the rugged road

 Thank you for not falling on us as we pass by

 These mountains were made from lahar

 Other free spirited people enjoying the rough ride

 Large chunks of the lahar mountains were eroded due to weathering

In this part you'll have to hold tight, the ride was very rough

• 08:30 Touchdown on the 7 km marker. We chose to alight on this marker (you may choose between 7 km, 5 km, 3 km, & 1 km) for more trekking and sightseeing.

 Before the long Death March to the crater lake

Take advantage of the streams you pass by, the water is very cold and refreshing to tired feet

• 10:30 Arrival on the 1KM mark. This also acts as a resting spot for the trekkers since the last 1 km is the ascend to the crater. There is this sign board that I think is applicable to the natives. The sign says senior citizens can reach the summit in 20 min but we actually took 30 min.

 This is the end of the 4 x 4 ride and marks the final ascend to the crater lake

At last! The welcome marker for the crater lake

• 11:00 Crater ring. Another rest station, ate some Fudgee Bar before the descent to the lake.

A view of the lake from the tip of the crater

The winding stairs down to the crater lake

 Don't try this

 Watch your step. The steps are sometimes slippery

• 11:20 Crater Lake. The crater was breathtaking and rewarding for all the effort we did. The stairs down to the crater is a little dangerous so take caution going down the lake. Don't get excited. (Unfortunately, swimming and boat riding was banned in the lake recently due to high sulfur content of the lake.)

The Crater Lake

• 12:00 Lunch at the rest station beside the lake. Then we started our trek back to the 1 km mark where our 4 x 4 is waiting for us. Good thing the rain came after our trek. The ride back to jump off was exciting thanks to the painful rain drops hitting our faces in the roofless 4 x 4. As we have agreed in our party, this trip would be "rain or shine" so it was a wet, cold and muddy ride back to jump off. If your 4 x 4 is closely following another in the front, prepare for a white mud make up.

 Picture taking at the lakeside of the crater

 The water at the lake, the sulfur content as of this time is high and the depth is undetermined

 Rose resting by the lakeside after the tiring trek

Rod with his running jumpshot 

Group pose before returning to jump off

• 15:00 Back to Jump Off Point. After some rest and shower we rode again a tricycle back to Capas.
• 15:10 Sidetrip to Capas National Shrine. This historic place is the end of the Death March, a 128 km forced march of prisoners of war from Bataan to Camp O'Donnell.

Capas National Shrine

Capas Death March Monument

Bottom view of the pencil-like obelisk

The gang relaxing on the shrine

The long list of the participants of the Death March

A part of the memorial wall

• 15:40 MacArthur Highway. We went to Nice Eatery where they serve delicious Bulalo and Papaitan. The servings were big and affordable. After the feast we rode the bus back to Cubao which frequents the highway.
• 18:30 Touchdown back to Manila.

Total Expenses Summary:

• Food & Water                  P   300.00
• Bus Fare                          184.00
• Tricycle Fare                     200.00
• 4 x 4 & Guide (3,500/vehicle)     800.00
• Registration Fee                   25.00

                    TOTAL         P 1,509.00

Thanks for reading!!! Feel free to leave some comments.