Trekking Pinatubo

Mount Pinatubo Trekking is probably the most exciting trekking /team
building activity that any group of five or more can indulge into.
Mount Pinatubo lies in a Mountain Range that lied in the
provinces of Zambales, Pampanga and Tarlac. It was not untill 1995, 4
years after its eruption when the Trekking to mount Pinatubo was
introduced under the time of the then President Fidel Ramos, to
attract eco tourism and booster the development of the once disaster
stricken province of Tarlac.

The Beauty of the lake in Mount Pinatubo's crater somehow conceals
the once monstrous volcanoe's past, and one could say that after
God's wrath he makes a promise that everything will be in its perfect
place, just like the lake in the crater of Pinatubo. Placid as it
is, it is surprisingly hard to believe that the same serenity of the
said crater is in fact far opposite with its past when it errupted
tons of ashes and lahar, and pyroclastic materials,in the once
cataclysmic erruption that devastated the lives of millions of
Filipino's at that time.

The Rendezvous

Just like our trip to Anawangin,Nagsasa, and Capones, We met up at
Chowking Balintawak at 3:30 AM. I was hesitant to join the trek a day
before the schedule due to weather conditions, but, in between
checking online weather updates and fervent prayers, I ended packing
up my stuffs at 2 AM ultimately joining the hike despite some qualms.
My Teammates Deng, with her Partner Dan as well as Conz who were very
vocal of not joining the planned hike were the first ones to arrive
at the meeting place. As I crossed the stinky footbridge of Edsa
Balintawak I saw the trio seated in a front row table in the
restaurant like theyve been there for nearly 45 minutes before call
time. ( Yun pala ang di sasama ha )

Having travelled with my boss to Anawangin Cove, I already have the
idea that a stop over at NLEX maybe called for if the team gets
hungry nor should there be a need to pee or what not. So we decided
to get this needs covered and had our breakfast while waiting for the
rest. We were expecting TL Ro ( My boss) his fiance Joy, Kul, Wayne
and Kaye.

Deng and her boyfriend ordered chow fan and fried tofu, while I and
conz both ordered chowfan,Kullie arrived just after we ordered our food. So,the
vegan in Kul ordered tofu and rice. While we're about to finish, The
team from Libis arrived.And hence called the start of the expedition.
I bought a 1.5 Liter mineral water in a conveniencestore near
chowking, peed at the restroom and prepared to hop in.. This is the
beginning of an exciting trip..

The Roadtrip

A 3 hour drive from Balintawak to Capas Tarlac, the travel itself is
already exciting with teammates and friends on Boss Ro's Mitsubishi
Adventure. We had a great time teasing and laughing at everyones
blunder, that may include but not limited to someones fashion statement,lovelife, etcetera.

As per our TL Ro's seat plan, Kul Deng and Dan occupied the Rear
Seat, While Kaye, Wayne , Conz and myself occupied the middle seat,
and TL Ro was the driver and JOy was seated right next to him. We
had so much fun on our way, as ussual I entertained the group to
break the boredom, there was a slight traffic along Mabalacat Exit,
and we wondered why since its 5 in the morning and why the heck
should there be traffic in this part of Pampanga. The curious in us
never let the question remain as it is and asked a bystander what
happened, we learned then that the road is under renovation and only
one lane is being utilized.Seems like someone was too greedy for his
turn and doesnt want to give way, hence the traffic. Haaist..
intersections is indeed more fun in the Philippines.

While on our way we sent texted our contact from DOT Tarlac, who is also
the president of the 4 wheel drive association in Capas Tarlac. We
informed kuya Wendell that we will be in Capas at 6 AM. While we were
traversing the road to Capas, I noticed an old ambulance heading to
the same destination like us. I just let it passed but later did I
noticed its the same van were Kuya Wendells secretary was riding.

Arrival At Santa Juliana

Before we arrived at DOT's satellite office in Santa Juliana Capas
Tarlac, we passed through an army checkpoint, the soldiers were very
courteous and politely asked ou TL where we are heading at, he then
replied we are going to the DOT satellite ofice in santa Juliana ,
and he just wave his hand signaling us to go. After a short while
just as I informed Kuya Wendell, we reached Santa Juliana at 6 AM.
We paid the fees at the DOT office which totalled to 11,500. The
package includes two 4 wheel drive, 2 tour guides, food for 9 pax. and
environmental charges. Each of us paid P 1, 277. Not bad for an
exciting adventure. The segurista in me did not settled in paying
without an initial benifit. So I picked up the bow and arrow and
posed like an Aeta in a tarpauline printing that depicts the crater
of Mount Pinatubo which serves as the wall of DOT office in Santa
Juliana. Before heading to the trek each team member checked the
restroom and made sure their biological needs were addressed. Before we hop into
the 4WD vehicle that would take us to the jump off point near the summit,
the group decided to document this part of our travel and posed for a photo opp.

The Trek
The group were devided into two. A group of four which includes TL
Ro, Joy, Wayne and Kaye; And a group of five which includes myself,
Kul, Dan, Conz and Deng. After picture taking at Santa Juliana, each
group hopped in to their assigned 4wd. I took the chance to have a
quick chat with our driver named John, and our tour guide named Lek.
Both were Aetas and rely on mount Pinatubo for their living, Now that
eco tourism is flourishing in Tarlac, people like them need not to
hunt or plant crops in the mountains to earn a living.Every once in a
while I saw group of aetas with their kids walking in the dessert, and everytime I see them I had this one question to our tour
guide, ( Saan sila pupunta?) my teammates noticed that I keep asking
the same question and I keep getting the same answer ( Sa bundok) On
the fifth group my teammates interruped me by telling me not to ask
again ( hahaha)

Our adrenaline glands were once awakened, during our trek, it was more than
a roller coaster trip and litteraly a very dangerous one. Thanks to
the skills and expertise of John, he made sure that slowly but surely
we will reach the drop off point safe and sound. From time to time I
hear Kaye and Kul shouting and the boys cursing to their hearts
content, but whenever we reach smoother terrain everyone gasps in
exasperation. From time to time I bumped my head in the truck but
thanks to the foam that covers the metal, I never acquired bruises
haha.

After 2 hours and a half of trekking we reached the drop off point. I
noticed that along side the mountains were banana plantations and a
church by the hill, I found out later on that the church were built
by Korean missionaries. Just like the kid in Goldilocks I started
sign posting Taking note of the plants in the terrain as we go
further. Later I would use this to inform my teammates of how far we
need to walk on our way back to the DOT satellite office.

We crossed several streams and a lot of lahar formations, these
formations could erode simply by shouting hence it is highly advised
to minimize shouting while hiking. Every sight of a picturesque
terrain the group would stop and had a photo opp. Making the trek a
bit lighter, though the terrain is considerably dangerous and is said
to be a long journey for first timers.

I would run several lapses and take a rest when I think I'm 10
minutes ahead of my teammates, I did this several times after asking
Lec and one of the tour guides to look after Kullie. On our way we've
seen some rocks that has been arranged as a sign post and I made one
too. When asked by Budeng what is the sign for, I simply replied its
a sign, that I made a sign out of the rocks, confused by my reply we
giggled and waited for the rest.I would later know
that the sign I made ,means that were halfway of the trek.
We reached the cottages down the Pinatubo base at 9 :45 AM

From Base to Peak

Everyone who needs to go to the rest room took the opportunity to
attend to their needs upon reaching the base camp. The restroom needs
cleaning though, but this is a minor drawback. Somehow I thought that
the rugged look of the restroom only matches the back to basic
concept of unwinding. We dont need high end facilities to unwind, we
only need to appreciate what is true, good, and beautiful, just like Mount Pinatubo.

The Signage says that the trek from base camp to the peak takes 15
minutes for younger ones, 18 minutes to midle age, and 20 minutes for
senior citizen. Upon reading the signage I immediately checked the
time from Deng, it was 10 Am when we left the base camp and started
trekking.We've seen a lot of ferns along the way, the
fauna in mount Pinatubo is simply amazing. Our teammates were very
anxious to get to the peak and I ended up rejoining Kullie and
Manong. As expected we didnt made it to the peak according to the
time frame stated in the signage, we reached the peak at 10:40
hahaha, double than that of senior a citizen.

Arrival at the Crater

It was exactly 10:40 AM when we reached the magnificent crater of Mount Pinatubo. I felt rejuvenated and all the energy spent on our hike was renewed upon seeing its amazing crater. It was an extremely awesome view and I could not help open my mouth in total awe and thanked God for the wonderful gift of nature. All the tiresome experience went away and all we could say is that it's all worth the pain of walking when you get to the crater. Once again I've seen the child in me bedazzled with all the beautiful things that surrounds me. There was a bit of commotion in my team but it hasn't even altered my appetite to explore the panoramic view that Pinatubo has to offer. We didn't waste our time and immediately strike a pose at the signage in the entry of the Pinatubo crater. Indeed the beauty of Mount Pinatubo is marvelously gargantuan.

We need to pass through a hundred and fifty steps to go down the lakeshore according to Lec, hence the team decided to stay in the cottage and take our lunch prior to exploring the lake.We could hear the radioman beside us speaking in kapampangan reporting to their base. It is a normal sight in Pinatubo Crater. DOT has this communication system to avoid any untoward incedent. By the time we arrived we learned that a couple lost their DSLR while on their way. Apparently the man stopped to tie his shoe lace and left the DSLR in the same spot.

Our lunch was covered on the tour package from DOT, and the allocated budget is 200 per person. We had Chicken Adobo, Fried Tilapia, Rice wrapped in Banana leaves, tortang talong, and banana for our dessert. The vegetarian in Kullie shared her food to Lec, and just feasted on her vegan food, while the rest of us all enjoyed whats provisioned on our package. We enjoyed the somptous lunch. Not bad for P200. Bon appetite!!

Swimming at the Lake

The signage clearly says that swimming is highly discouraged. But the adventurer in us never let the opportunity to take a dip at the icy cold water of the lake pass. Some team members initially wanted to go kayaking and upon learning that it would cost them P 3,500 for a fifteen minute ride they've decided its not worth it and settled to swim in the lake. The desperate desperate swimmer in me dilly dally the swimming part, I was literally testing the waters as its really icy cold and I was contemplating if my pulmonary system would allow me to swim without causing absences to our team hahaha. I decided then to join the group and enjoyed swimming. Que Serra Serra!

Goodbye Pinatubo

Personally I would say that swimming at the lake was the height of the experience, so just as I did in Nagsasa cove, I swam to my hearts content till our teammates decided to go back to Santa Juliana. Our Team Leader would not want us to leave the crater later than 1 o clock since the trek is dangerous and though the weather has responded to our prayers, and I didn't even felt an iota of sunshine in my sunburned skin while in the crater. I would really say that the weather was really on our side that the bad weather which I'm afraid of just never frightened us at all. Such a wonderful Experience.

We left the Pinatubo crater at exactly 1:00 PM with smile on our face and with a promise that we shall return. Conz even got this idea to propose to his long time fiance while kayaking in the Pinatubo crater lake. Saranghamida Pinatubo. Till we meet again.