Mt. Pinatubo: A Journey to the Center of the Beast

It is hardly imaginable right now, almost 25 years after Mt. Pinatubo blew its top that had caused such tragedy in the past. Its explosive exit from the ‘dormant volcano’ category slammed it into the record books as the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20^th century, only behind Alaska’s Novarupta eruption in 1912.

  We don’t want to reminisce an agony from the past right? Besides at the present time, Mt. Pinatubo started to show off its aesthetic nature side.

Why don’t we go on a wonderful journey into the heart of the sleeping beast?

The explosion lopped off almost 300 meters off its original height of 1700-plus meters, and turned a mountain peak into a crater lake, which can sometimes grow in depth at a rate of a meter a year.

Before one goes up the mountain, a little combing around the net for pictures of the eruption and the mountain in the first few years after the 1991 eruption can serve as a frame of reference to understand what happened there. Pictures like Kevin Hamdorf’s photos from the first post-eruption ascent several years after the eruption can be real eye openers, capturing such a gray moonscape which no colors and nothing living exists.

Yet today, climbing up Mt. Pinatubo is one of the biggest highlights for visitors to Central Luzon.

Aspiring climbers can either let the details be handled by one of the many tour operators offering whole-day trips up the volcano. For those inclined, the ranger station of Brgy. Santa Juliana in Capas can help with all aspects of the trek, with pertinent detail, arranging for mandatory guides and collecting user fees.

TRAVEL TIP:

            User fees are proportionately cheaper for larger groups than for individuals. So this is a good trip to get accompanied by your friends!

Various fees such as guide fee (Php 500 for guide, 1 guide per group), individual fees of Php 50 for conservation, as well as jeep rentals (Php 2,500, up to five persons per jeep), as well as package fees for the whole shebang, can be arranged here. For more information, contact Mr. Wendell Mercado, at (63919) 608 4313.

Once at the crater rim, facilities welcome sun-beaten visitors, with cottages and viewdecks for trekkers to savor the fruits of their labors and soak in the surroundings. The crater lake is a truly magnificent sight to behold, that will surely impress you with its scale and beauty.

Also, guests can scramble down the short way to the lake itself, where kayaks are for rent for those who wishes to see and tool around the caldera.

DON’T LIKE CLIMBING?

Well then, why don’t try the much talked about healing effects of the sulfuric water in the calderas?

Since Sulfur has long been known to cure many dermatological problems despite the smell, which is vaguely reminiscent of rotting eggs.

Travel Notes:

How to get there:

Capas City, Tarlac, is about 2 hours up the Northern Luzon Expressway(NLEX) from Manila. Turning west towards Brgy. Santa Juliana and inquiring at the ranger station at the end of the paved road is how independent travelers should begin their journey.

Where to stay:

I know that most really prefer cheaper priced inns or hotels so here’s a tip for you.

Trekking to Mt. Pinatubo’s crater can be done in a day, so if you are on a budget, you can save expenses for accommodation if you choose to head back home after the trek. Alternatively, you can set up a camp in the assigned camping site in the area. There are restrooms, nipa hut and source of fresh water near the crater.

Or if you can afford to stay on hotels here’s a list for you:

·         Microtel Inn & Suites Tarlac
Hacienda Luisita, San Miguel, Tarlac
Contact No: (63-45) 985-1770
Rates: Starts at ~P1000

·         Central Park Hotel Tarlac
Luisita Business Park
Hacienda Luisita, San Miguel, Tarlac
Contact No: (63-45) 985-1912 or 24
Rates: Starts at ~P2000

·         La Maja Rica Hotel
Corner Mc. Arthur and Ligtasan Streets, Tarlac
Contact No: (63-45) 611-2053 to 57
Rates: Starts at ~P1500

·         Asiaten Hotel
18 Don Gregorio Avenue, San Sebastian Village, Tarlac
Contact No: (63-45) 982-0355
Rates: Starts at ~P1500

-By Stephanne L. Gaan