Mt Pinatubo Crater and Lake

An Experience Unlike Any Other

Jump-off: Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac
MASL: 960m
Hours to crater: 1 hour on the first leg via 4x4, 1.5 hours trek to the crater

Mt. Pinatubo is a volcano most popular among the Zambales mountain range, standing between the boundaries of Tarlac, Zambales and Pampanga. Prior to it's eruption on June 12, 1991, Little was known about Mt. Pinatubo and it's history. The volcano and it's surrounding area were at that time, densely forested, obscured from plain sight, and was the home to thousands of the indigenous Aetas.

The name "Pinatubo" when translated in English is "made to grow" or simply "to grow". It is said that the early inhabitants were able to witness the growth of the (magma) dome that forms in the crater prior to an eruption. The indigenous people were able to pass down the knowledge of a volcano's signs of an impending eruption through oral tradition about the story of Blit and Aglao, a local legend which was transcribed in 1915.

Panoramic view of the Pinatubo Crater

Mt. Pintaubo's eruption in June 12, 1991 dropped global temperatures by about 1°C and was the second largest eruption since Novarupta in 1912. Today, similar to the ash laden beach of Anawangin Cove, Mt. Pinatubo is considered among the top tourist destination in Central Luzon due to its history and its unique landscape which bares no likeness among the other mountains in the Philippines. Indeed, who would've thought that such a devastation could bring about an unimaginable beauty.

My First Hand Account Of Mt. Pinatubo's Beauty

Backpacking solo was something that I've planned on doing for such a long time, and have finally been able to do. Although traveling solo may not be for everyone, it does reap great rewards such as indipendency, self-reliance, and allows you to make new friends.

Meeting up with our host, Sir Mike Mariano of Extreme Outdoor Club, Our trip took as from Balintawak, Quezon City all the way to BCJ eatery in Capas, Tarlac. Here we took in a full meal for breakfast in preparation for the trek and travel, and purchased our packed lunch to be eaten upon our arrival at the creater/summit. The travel took us an uninterrupted drive of 2 hours on our host's van.

From BCJ, it was only about 45 minutes going to Brgy. Sta. Juliana allowing us to take a few photos, prepare for the 4x4 ride, and most importantly sign in some waivers, documentations, and what not. There were a couple of things that needed our written approval for since we were going to pass through Crow Valley Bombing and Firing Range. A military zone where military exercises are being held such as the PH-US Balikatan Exercises.

At 6:30 AM, I, along with 2 other solo backpackers, Beth and Gilbert boarded our chartered 4x4, 30 minutes ahead of the itinerary we were following. Military personnel made a final check on our DENR permits held by our driver, and promptly confirmed if our guide had a first aid kit with him, in which the latter confirmed. That being said, it made me feel secured and assured that the local government here are taking tourists' security and well-being their top priority over anything else.

The 4x4 ride was already a scenic drive on this leg of the trip. We were also lucky enough to see the sun rise over the ash covered mountains and hill while crossing this barren plane. As we stopped for a much awaited photo moment, a few indigenous kids were also enthusiastically awaiting tourists' arrival for them to have a photo with.

After an hour on 4x4, our ride finally ended, and our trek at last started. Luckily for me, my 2 companions were at tip-top shape. Being mountaineers themselves, we reached the crater within 1 hour and 15 minutes, and later on, our descent in just an hour.

At the very first sight of Mt. Pinatubo's Crater, I was immediately filled with awe and was simply mesmerized of the volcano's beauty. The blue sky, the clouds and the crater walls reflected clearly on the crater's lake filled up overtime by seasonal rains. The uniqueness of the scenery made us felt like being in a different country where snow capped mountains are seen from a distance. Except that in reality, these light-grey covered slopes are ash falls. A grim reminder of how catastrophic the eruption was more than 2 decades ago.

Right: 4x4 ride. Left: Red stained rocks

Left: Sylvan glade in the middle of a barren landscape. Right: Ash covered mountain walls

Left: A cross stands at the entrance of the crater. Right: A soft reminder for tourists.

Left: Sunrise at Crow Valley. Right: The solo backpackers moment

ITINERARY

* Note that if you are going to organize your own trip to Mt. Pinatubo, you would need to coordinate with the Capas DENR office first to confirm if their are no military exercises to be conducted on the date of your tour. See contact information at the end of this article.

0200 AM - Assembly
0230 AM - ETD Manila to Capas via NLEX
0400 AM - BCJ Eatery for breakfast and packed lunch
0600 AM - ETA Brgy. Sta. Juliana. Registrations and finalize arrangements
0700 AM - 4x4 ride
0800 AM - End of the road for 4x4. Start Trek.
0930 AM - ETA Mt. Pinatubo Crater
1030 AM - Lunch
1130 AM - Start descent
0100 PM - Board 4x4 back to Jump-off.
0200 PM - ETA Brgy. Sta. Juliana. Wash up
0300 PM - ETD back to Manila
0530 PM - Manila

Side Trip: A 30 minute side trip can be done to Capas National Shrine. A monument erected in memory of the infamous Death March.

EXPENSES

Private driving:
4x4: P3000 (max cap: 5)
Guide: P500
Conservation Fee + Miscellaneous: P300 + P150 = P450

For Commuting:

Bus from Cubao to Capas Junction: P170 (one way)
Tricycle from Capas Junction to Sta. Juliana: P100 (one way)

Overnight:
4x4: P4000
Guide: P1000
Military Fees: P1500

SPECIAL CONCERNS

• Since the January, 2013 drowning incident, swimming is no longer allowed in the crater lake.
• The only cover that you can get are the shadows of the mountain and slopes. Ensure that you are appropriately protected and covered from the heat of the sun.
• Though, Drinks are made available to tourists upon reaching the final 1 Kilometer of trek, and on the crater itself. Vendors sell it for a high price, hence It is still advisable to bring enough water with you.
• There is no mobile coverage past Crow Valley, all the way to the crater.

 Left: Race to the Crater Challenge. Right: Mid day return trek under the sun. 

CAPAS DENR CONTACT

Marissa Vidal: 0918 962 3149

TRIVIA

Capas is known as "The Gateway to Pinatubo" and houses freshwater lakes such as the Tambo Lake. Capas is also the final destination of the 128km long Bataan Death March from Mariveles to Camp O'Donnell. Tarlac is part of Region III, also known as Central Luzon. Other provinces includes Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales.

The Pinatubo Caldera

A twister fading out in the barren plains of Capas

Acknowledgement:

Thank you for Extreme Outdoor Club for hosting the trip and for limiting participants to 15. To Mam Beth Javines and Sir Gilbert Masakayan and the rest of the participants for the enjoyable companionship and for the great photos.

~ City Boy Tripper