Into the heart of the Pinatubo crater

Mount Pinatubo and Crater

Attraction | "Here's some rain for more excitement!"

Quote:

The moment that we arrived at the crater, the sunny sky that greeted us in the morning has begun to thicken and darken. However, since the sun would occasionally shine through, we hardly thought it was something to be really concerned about.At around 1.30 in the afternoon, after we had our lunch and rest, our tour guides advised that it was best be heading back to avoid any problems should it rain. We took their advice, bade good-bye to the Pinatubo lake and started hiking.It was a bit of luck that I already changed into swimming clothes and the backpack that we brought had a rain guard because around a quarter of the way back the rain started to fall. At first, it was just ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 30, 2010

Mount Pinatubo and Crater

Luzon, Luzon

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Mount Pinatubo and Crater

Attraction | "Just around the bend"

Quote:

After we had a quick rest, the tour guides asked us if we wanted to go to the other side of the lake. We were told that the rocky, sandy shore was hot enough to boil eggs. We figured the sulfuric content must be high as well, which would mean it would be good therapy for our skin. LOL.To take the boat, each of us needed to pay an additional Php350 (a little over $7.00). Might as well since we were already there. All of us wanted to go through the entire Pinatubo experience. Going to the other side was definitely part of that!Our gang split in two groups again since each boat can only accommodate up to six people. There were four to each group with one guide each. Our boa...Read More

After we had a quick rest, the tour guides asked us if we wanted to go to the other side of the lake. We were told that the rocky, sandy shore was hot enough to boil eggs. We figured the sulfuric content must be high as well, which would mean it would be good therapy for our skin. LOL.

To take the boat, each of us needed to pay an additional Php350 (a little over $7.00). Might as well since we were already there. All of us wanted to go through the entire Pinatubo experience. Going to the other side was definitely part of that!

Our gang split in two groups again since each boat can only accommodate up to six people. There were four to each group with one guide each. Our boatman for the trip looked more like a boy of 16 (and probably was). He belonged to the Aeta tribe, the indigenous people displaced during the Pinatubo explosion. They used to live on agriculture when the American bases were still there. Currently, their main source of income comes from tourism. Imagine this lean young man rowing his boat for five people probably weighing up to 600 pounds!

The trip to the other side took about twenty minutes. The calm bluish green of the lake was broken only by the small waves created by the boats that come and go to the other side of the lake. The imposing rock cliffs towered over us, magnificent and magical. Tourists were coming from the lake, taking pictures and videos of us. We waved back as we also took photos of them.

We finally arrived on the other side. There were other tourists either swimming or sitting on larger rocks. The cliffs on that side were different from where we came from. While ours were already teeming with shrubs and trees, these were relatively barren of green life.

As our boat approached the shore, we can only see curlicues of smoke rising from certain areas. As we decked the boat, I ventured into taking off my sandals. At first, the warmth was soothing but eventually progressed to almost scalding. I had to wear my sandals again.

Our tour guide got some eggs and dug a hole. We can feel the steam coming out which felt refreshing. She covered them up and told us to wait a bit before it boils the egg.

While we waited, we got our swimming vests and swam in the lake. There were portions that were warm, but after a while it would cool down. Not only cool down, it actually got almost cold. We tried to get from warm point to warm point for to relax ourselves. The best spot was actually where the water met the shore. Where the water bubbled would be the warm areas, which made it prime spot for sitting in the middle of the cool lake water.

We took around 30 minutes swimming in the lake before we decided to head back. Mostly because our boatman looked like he was already hungry as well as he could get more customers to bring to the other side. Before we left, our guide took the egg she boiled for us to see. Unsurprisingly, it was all boiled and ready to eat along with the rest of our lunch. :P Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 30, 2010

Mount Pinatubo and Crater

Luzon, Luzon

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Mount Pinatubo and Crater

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Attraction | "A crater of beauty"

Quote:

Sweaty and probably stinky from the hike up the mountain, the gang gaped at the beauty of the PInatubo crater. Right before us as the majestic beauty of an aquamarine lake, encircled by several mountains. The morning sun that earlier beat upon us has been covered by thick clouds, a bit dark as if threatening to rain. Despite the overcast sky, the lake still shimmered in resplendent awesome-ness. The guide told us, "it can get more beautiful during summers because it can get very green." "Maybe," I thought to myself. But its pulchritude in summer hardly mattered to me. It was wonderful right before my eyes already. No use pining for it during another time.We ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 26, 2010

Mount Pinatubo and Crater

Luzon, Luzon

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The walk to the crater

Best Of IgoUgo

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Wrong spelling wrong Photo - Philippines, Asia

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Our group reunited when we reached the vehicle stop. It was time for us to trek together. Being always the hungry one, I took my pack of Nagaraya cracker nuts to eat as we started walking. No one seemed to share my enthusiasm for the crackers so I enjoyed it by myself. Our tour guide also served as our paparazzi as she kept taking pictures of our group with her pink camera. We were informed that the trek could take one hour to one hour and thirty minutes, depending on our pacing. With the way we kept taking pictures at every stop, I figured we would be taking much longer than anticipated.The trek started a bit easy with a wide road ahead of us. As we progress...Read More

Our group reunited when we reached the vehicle stop. It was time for us to trek together.

Being always the hungry one, I took my pack of Nagaraya cracker nuts to eat as we started walking. No one seemed to share my enthusiasm for the crackers so I enjoyed it by myself.

Our tour guide also served as our paparazzi as she kept taking pictures of our group with her pink camera. We were informed that the trek could take one hour to one hour and thirty minutes, depending on our pacing. With the way we kept taking pictures at every stop, I figured we would be taking much longer than anticipated.

The trek started a bit easy with a wide road ahead of us. As we progressed, the path became more difficult. While it was still wide, some of the lahar have been chiseled away by the waterflow caused by the rains.

Eventually, the path became smaller and more rocky. There were also more undergrowth. We were already following a silvery stream cascading gently through the lahar and rocks. I did not have much of a problem with the water since I was wearing hiking sandals, but for the others who were wearing boots, much maneuvering was necessary to keep their footwear dry.

We eventually came to a stop with a water closet and a waiting shed for people to rest. It was probably around 30 minutes after we began. After the shed, the path got a little tighter and rockier and grassier. The test of hiking endurance was truly about to begin.

At the beginning of the stop was a sign that showed how long people can expect to get there. What was funny was it said "Young: 15 minutes, Adult: 18minutes, Senior: 20 minutes." I honestly think it's a joke that no one should take seriously. The guide told us that she does not know who gauged the time for that because she has not known anyone to have made it according to the sign, even for those expert guides.

Nonetheless, I timed my watch to see which category we belong according to whoever it was that defined the times. We kept on walking and surprisingly in good time. We did take a photo break somewhere, so I stopped my watch for that. When the watch struck 15, I shouted "we are out of your youth and into our adulthood!" And when it struck 18, I had to tell people, "folks, i am sorry to say, we are senior citizens already."

When the guide informed us that we were finally there, my watch struck 25 minutes. Ah well... we can not all be young forever, noh?

It did not matter how long it took us, however. When we saw the crater, we could not helped but be awed by its beauty. Read Less

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The drive to the crater

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The package tour for our trek to Mt. Pinatubo's crater began with a ride of a four-wheel drive. Each vehicle can bring four passengers and a tour guide to the hiking site. My husband and I were with Risa and Nick in our white four by four. The weather was a little unpredictable. While the day started out a bit drizzly, as we made our way through streches of lahar, the sun was already beating down hard. What we actually call lahar is volcanic ash, remnants from Pinatubo's explosion in 1991. What used to be a rich expanse of agricultural land was covered with sulfuric ash. There is hope yet, with more and more plants growing. People are starting to try and plant crops in the lahar. ...Read More

The package tour for our trek to Mt. Pinatubo's crater began with a ride of a four-wheel drive. Each vehicle can bring four passengers and a tour guide to the hiking site. My husband and I were with Risa and Nick in our white four by four. The weather was a little unpredictable. While the day started out a bit drizzly, as we made our way through streches of lahar, the sun was already beating down hard.

What we actually call lahar is volcanic ash, remnants from Pinatubo's explosion in 1991. What used to be a rich expanse of agricultural land was covered with sulfuric ash. There is hope yet, with more and more plants growing. People are starting to try and plant crops in the lahar. Many have succeeded but it will take a while before agriculture will flourish once more.

A giant river and several streams snaked its way through the lahar. It was another sign that after the destruction the explosion caused, nature is experiencing a rebirth.

The tour guide had the jeep stop at a fork in the road. We were instructed to try out the stream on the left fork. Lo! It was nice and warm. The water was coming from a hotspring far ahead. I could have stayed a while and just enjoyed the water, but our path was different. We took the right fork and continued on the road that will lead us to the starting path of our trek to the Pinatubo crater.

The terrain was starting to incline and it was also then that we realized it was indeed important to have a four by four vehicle instead of the usual kind. Ash was not exactly the best road condition to drive in, that's why. There were a few bumps and kinks on the road, but nothing that a good driver can not maneuver.

We passed by some children panning gold the old fashioned way. There were farmers and their carabao lugging some sacks of produce. Houses were few and far in between, but as you passed homes, colorful laundry lined their yards. Little children took a quick break from picking rocks from the river to wave at us, the water winking slyly in the sun.

It was a good start of the day. Those of us in the jeep were feeling quite upbeat until we finally reached the starting point of the trek.

There were several other vehicles parked. From where we were, we could see the other groups who have gone ahead to take an hour's hike to the mountain.

We got off. I was excited! Read Less

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