TARLAC | The Mount Pinatubo Climb from Capas

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake

The Smashing Pumpkins rumbled through the chorus of Today on my iPod as I climbed the final steps towards the viewing deck of Mount Pinatubo. I was panting a bit, not really used to hiking for hours. I stepped towards the chasm and looked out upon the crater that has caused so much trouble to people of Central Luzon. I suppressed a gasp.

Everyone knows what a cliché it is to have a view take one’s breath away. But you won’t care about that once your eyes lay upon Mount Pinatubo’s emerald crater.

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Mt. Pinatubo 4x4 Ride
RIDING A 4X4 TO THE MOUNT PINATUBO TRAIL JUMP OFF

That was more than five years ago and I haven’t climbed Mount Pinatubo ever since.

Those memories were running through my mind as our 4x4 truck rumbled through the ash-ridden desolation of the Crow Valley. After more than half a decade, I am finally returning to Pinatubo—the first mountain I’ve ever climbed. Not that there are many, but yeah, it is my first.

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Mt. Pinatubo 4x4 Ride
LAHAR-RIDDEN LANDSCAPE

There were a number of tourists lagging behind our truck that day. The Mount Pinatubo climb is a hundred times more popular now than when I first stamped my foot on its ashen pathways. The 4x4’s noisily jangled through the makeshift roads towards the trail jump-off, splashing through shallow streams and sending dust clouds in their wake.

Mt. Pinatubo 4x4 Ride
CROSSING SMALL STREAMS

The view was as scenic as I remembered it to be. Hundred-foot stacks of lahar deposits surrounded us, mimicking and competing in awesomeness to El Nido’s karsts. But everything is as fragile as it looks. A mere shout directed to these walls could cause these formations to crumble and disastrously fall down.

Mt. Pinatubo Lahar Trail
A LOCAL AT MOUNT PINATUBO

It took a good ninety minutes from our truck jump-off in Brgy. Sta. Juliana at the town of Capas in Tarlac to the start of the Pinatubo hiking trail in Zambales; passing local Aetas and farmers going about their daily lives at the barren landscape. I remember asking our driver if one can forego the 4x4 ride and simply hike all the way to the start of the trail area. ”Well, you most absolutely can,” he says, “but it might take you eight to twelve hours to do so.”

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Mt. Pinatubo Lahar Landscape
LAHAR CAN BE BEAUTIFUL

Alright, I’ll definitely take their 4x4 trucks. That is unless a few willing souls are crazy enough to accompany me to hike and sleep overnight at Pinatubo’s Crow Valley. I can just imagine how beautiful these pyroclastic formations are when blanketed by unending stars and the Milky Way.

Mt. Pinatubo Lahar Landscape
HARDENED PYROCLASTIC MATERIALS HAS TURNED INTO MINI MOUNTAINS

I shrugged those thoughts away as our group started the hike to Mount Pinatubo’s crater.

We were a loose bunch of travelers from different media companies grouped into a single unit by Microtel Luisita and TVCP Tarlac for the Tara Quin Tarlac Tour—a tourism familiarization of places of interest in the province. The group was comprised of young and old bodies alike, so our pace was somewhat relaxed.

Mt. Pinatubo Lahar Trail
THE TRAIL TO MOUNT PINATUBO

Which really is fine by me. Honestly, I’m no mountaineer. I like walking, but I like doing it on flat surfaces, with no inclines whatsoever. Inclines make me cramp. Walking fast on inclines makes me cramp even faster. So armed with two bottles of Gatorade bottles, I started the Pinatubo trek, crossing my fingers that my legs wouldn’t betray me this time.

Mt. Pinatubo Trail
SOME PARTS ARE QUITE NARROW

The trail to Mount Pinatubo isn’t really as hardcore as first-time climbers would’ve thought it would be (not as easy as the Taal Volcano hike though). Well it is a volcano, but the 4x4 ride takes care of more than 3/4 of the way there. More I would surmise. The trek to the volcano’s mouth will only take about an hour or so, depending on your pace and the number of photographs you would take along the way.

And you can probably guess that I’ll be one of the last to arrive.

Mt. Pinatubo Trail
THE ICONIC PINATUBO TWENTY MINUTES TO CRATER SIGNBOARD

Renting a 4x4 would automatically give your group a guide. And these guys are invaluable especially for non-trekkers. They can help haul your things, assist you when crossing streams—and there are a lot of them—and basically showing you where to head. The trail to Pinatubo, especially when there aren’t a lot of tourists around isn’t really that apparent. And getting lost amongst these ashen landscapes isn’t something you’d want to happen.

Mt. Pinatubo Viewing Deck
THE NOW-PAVED MOUNT PINATUBO VIEWING DECK

And after two scorching hours, our group finally made it to The Park. I was taken aback when I reached Pinatubo’s viewing deck. It now really resembles a park, complete with paved pathways and gazebos. It looked ill at ease with the absolute rawness of the place.

I’m guessing a zipline’s not too far in the future too, eh?

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake
MAJESTIC PINATUBO CRATER LAKE

A few steps further and the awesomeness of Mount Pinatubo’s Crater Lake opened up. Only, it wasn’t as awesome as when I first saw it. The water is somewhat grayish and unappealing as the super emerald one I witnessed about half a decade ago.

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake
EROSION ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE CRATER

I asked our guide about this and he said that it was due to the season. That eye-popping emerald water usually shows up during and right after the rainy season. Since it wasn’t raining that much, the water starts to stagnate and loses its iconic vibrant color.

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake No Swimming
SWIMMING IS NOW PROHIBITED IN MOUNT PINATUBO

Wanting to take a closer look, everyone went down a flight of stairs. A very, very long flight of stairs, mind you. We stepped across the water’s edge, where hordes of tourists were taking selfies of themselves. I noticed that swimming is now prohibited on the crater and there are no more kayaks or boats available for rent to cross the water.

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake
AMAZING ROCK FORMATIONS

I count myself lucky that I was able to swim at Pinatubo during my first visit. During that time, we were told that wading across the volcano’s water is therapeutic, its waters having medicinal properties. Now they’re saying otherwise.

Oh well, now I’m not really sure if I’m lucky I swam through Pinatubo’s crater lake before.

Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake
A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER

Since our group didn’t bring any substantial food with us, we have nothing but Skyflakes to picnic on while enjoying the view. There are food vendors at the viewing deck but their prices are very prohibitive. Example, a bottle of SanMig Light will cost you a hundred pesos. Well, considering how far this place is from town, I guess it is quite understandable.

Mt. Pinatubo 4x4 Ride
GOING OUT OF PINATUBO

Everyone took the time to have a breather at Pinatubo’s viewing deck before heading back. Even if the trail was relatively easy, the sun is now at its peak and we haven’t had anything to eat for lunch. Grudgingly, we bade fare thee well to Mount Pinatubo, turned our back to her sometimes gorgeous, sometimes so-so crater, and headed to the desolation of the ashes. It was still a good second visit, non-emerald crater lake notwithstanding.

Mt. Pinatubo 4x4 Ride
IT IS VERY DUSTY, PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR GEAR
 
 

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN CLIMBING MOUNT PINATUBO


- Wear proper clothing. A pair of light pants and comfortable shirt (with spare). Sandals or trek shoes are okay, if you have something that you can submerge in water, better. A hat or an umbrella if you must. Use sunblock. Bring a scarf or a Headware for the dusty 4x4 ride.

- Bring water. The hike usually takes place in the middle of the day so it can get quite hot.

- Bring food. The crater is a nice place for a picnic, bring packed lunches. While there are food at the Pinatubo viewing deck, they are very expensive.

- Don’t rush through the trek. Slow down and enjoy the scenery, Pinatubo has one of the most unique landscapes in the Philippines.

 

CLIMBING MOUNT PINATUBO DIY


There are many tour groups offering package trips to Mount Pinatubo. These are relatively cheap and hassle-free, but it is possible to climb Pinatubo, DIY style. First, you would need to drive or commute all the way to Sta. Juliana, the jump-off point for the 4x4 ride, book a truck via the tourism office, pay the necessary fees, and walah! You’re off to Pinatubo! Make sure you contact the tourism office first before going to make sure there are available slots for the day you want to climb.



Mount Pinatubo Climb
4x4 Jump-Off Point: Brgy. Sta. Juliana at Capas, Tarlac
4x4 Ride Time: 1.5 hours one way
Hiking Time: 1.5 to 2 hours one way
Climbing Difficulty: Easy
4x4 Rental Fee: ₱3,000.00 good for 4 persons
Guide Fee: ₱500.00 good for 5 persons
Environmental Fee: ₱450.00 per person
GPS Map Coordinates: 15.3265005,120.4274409

 

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Capas Tourism Office Contact Number:
+63 (45) 925-0112 local 109 or 124 | +63 (45) 925-0154
+63 (922) 280-7921 | +63 (918) 285-3019 | +63 (906) 462-3388



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25 comments

  1. Ang dami mong kaartehan sa pagsusulat w/c i think is overly done

    eg.

    The water is somewhat grayish and unappealing as the super emerald one "I witnessed about half a decade ago."

    it could have been simpler if you says 5 years back lols

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    Replies
    1. Excellent observation. Thanks for the very insightful critique. :)

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    2. Wow nman kung makacomment ka. ( AnonymousApril 27, 2014 at 10:20 AM)
      Kaw na ang english expert.

      Blog nya toh he can write whatever the hell he wants.
      Do not be rude.

      To Christian - Thank you for all the info about pinatubo. I will be there this July for a trek.

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    3. To anonymous of April 27, 2014 at 10:20 a.m. you are one awful ugly individual. Christian Sangoyo did an excellent job of sharing his experiences, both on the first time that he climbed up Pinatubo and on this time. If you have nothing nice to say, shut your trap.


      To Christian Sangoyo - you are a very articulate writer. I enjoyed reading your article. If not for your name I would have pegged you as a native English speaker, perhaps a Canadian because of certain expressions you used.

      I came across your article because I am searching for info on Mt Pinatubo. I am planning to go! It will be in Feb 2018. It would be 3 years after your second trek. I hope it had not totally lost its grandeur. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences.

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    4. Thank you, sir, glad you appreciate what I wrote! I'm pretty sure Pinatubo is still as majestic as it was three years back. Hopefully, the crater water is at its most emerald when you get there! :)

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  2. sir do you have contact # of the 4x4 rental?

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    1. Hi Manding, unfortunately I don't have any contact number for the 4x4 rentals

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  3. Photos are superb and very enticing! Sayang nga at you don't have the contact details of the 4x4 rentals kasi i'm being charged 3 times the amount now by an agency!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Meg, I updated the post. You can call the tourism office and book your 4x4 truck from there. :)

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  4. Hi Christian! You write very well. This is not just a travel blog, I feel as if I am reading your personal journal. I have been reading several blogs about Pinatubo and yours is the most beautiful in terms of photography. You certainly know how to avoid the crowd. Hehehe. Sorry you have to deal with a douchebag who can't even leave a real name. Again, thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Shairmaine, I'm glad people like you appreciate what I do :)

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  5. Natawa ko sa sinabi sa pinakataas na comment na masyadong perfectionist sa writing.

    That comment from "AnonymousApril 27, 2014 at 10:20 AM"

    "...it could have been simpler if you says 5 years back lols"

    sana tinama mo naman yung grammar bago mo pinost kc critic yung dating mo! And btw, blogging is creative writing.

    I would say that Christian has that artistry in writing - hindi mamabaw magsulat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Salamat naman po at na-appreciate nyo ang pagsulat ko :)

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  6. May sumubok na ba na hindi sumakay ng 4x4 at nilakad nalang hanggang sa crater? hehe kaya naman siguro pag maaga pa andun na. #EstudyanteProblems

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    Replies
    1. I personally don't know anyone who didn't avail of the 4x4 to climb the hiking point to Pinatubo, I guess you can, provided that you get a guide? Maybe you can contact the tourism office on the number I posted above. :)

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  7. Do you have a phone number of anyone we can contact there for trekking?

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    1. Hi Mei, as far as I can recall the Pinatubo trek guide would be provided for at the 4x4 staging area.

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  8. @ Christian - thanks for the info (on the last part) and nice photo by the way.

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  9. I went there 3 years ago with our mountain bike tour and it was breathtaking via capas tarlac route.

    This time we joined the Tripinas tour and it was not good. Drop off is from Botolan where it was farther from Manila and the scenery via 4x4 to the trek site is not as good as from Capas.

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    Replies
    1. How was the hike to Pinatubo Crater from Botolan? Was it shorter and much easier?

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  10. Are pets allowed to go with us in the hike?

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    1. Hi, I'm not sure if pets are allowed to hike up Mount Pinatubo but I've seen no signs whatsoever that it is prohibited. If I have to make an educated guess, I'd say they're allowed to go up Mount Pinatubo.

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  11. Sir, meron pobang ibng way na makakapasok ang sasakyan na L300 , at talagang need mag bayad ng 500 kahit hindi sasakay ng 4x4? Tjank uou po

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    Replies
    1. Hi, I don't think you can reach the jump off hiking point without using a 4x4

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