Hiking Up Mt. Pinatubo
posted on Tuesday, March 25, 2008
For a hike up Mt. Pinatubo, the jump-off point is Pinatubo Spa Town, Capas, Tarlac. It’s best to get there by around 8:00 in the morning so that the hike up would not be too hot. Jovi Balbiro, the tour organizer, met us warmly and introduced us to our driver and our guide. We clambered up an open 4x4 jeep. Soon, the jeep turned off the road into a sandy meadow of grasses, shrubs and the occasional massive carabao.
As we rode on, the greens became sparser, until we were lumbering along a flat grey desert dotted by clusters of hardy cogon. The jeep criss-crossed muddy streams, spraying us with water and sand. Soon enough, the jeep crawled up a dirt road carved out of the mountain. The beaches of Zambales could be glimpsed in the distance.
An hour of riding later, we reached a clearing where we would start our hike. Carefully, we descended down a steep lahar slope. Soon, we reached a wide path lined with boulders and volcanic rocks with sulfur streaks. Lofty lahar canyons loomed on the sides. Shortly after, we entered a thicket of shrubs and low trees.
Finally, after fifty minutes of hiking, we climbed up a concrete stairway and reached the ridge overlooking the crater lake. The blue-green waters twinkled in the distance, the clear surface broken by smooth ripples every now and then. Overhead, thick white clouds rolled by lazily.
We climbed down another flight of stairs to get to the lake’s edge. The water was icy cold and slightly salty. (Be warned: the water can dry your hair, especially if you’ve had your tresses treated or colored.) Two feet into the water, the rocky sand bottom abruptly slanted down. The guide told us that the middle of the lake was around 5000 feet deep. You can camp out overnight on the lake, although this is discouraged for security reasons. Kayak boats are also available for rent.
Massage treatments are available back at the Pinatubo Spa Town. The Shiatsu and Thai massage (P500) and the Mud Bath (P500) look tempting, but nothing extraordinary. For something different, try the Volcanic Ash Spa treatment (P500), where you’ll be buried from the neck down in warm volcanic ash mixed with volcanic salt.
If you’re not availing of any of the spa treatments, you have to shell out P100 to use the shower rooms. Believe me, after such a dusty hike, you’ll be in sore need of a shower and a change of clothes. You can also take a side tour of the Capas National Shrine, the end point of the World War II Death March; just ask Jovi for directions.
Back in 1991, you couldn’t say “Mt. Pinatubo” without feeling anger or resentment for all the havoc this volcano had wrought. Nowadays, “Mt. Pinatubo” brings back memories of a leisurely hike and a sparkling aquamarine lake. After all these years, it’s just amazing how something so destructive could turn into something so magnificent.
The Mt. Pinatubo hike package costs P1500, inclusive of the guide, 4x4 ride, and lunch. Contact Pinatubo Spa Town at (0928)341-0402 or (0928)781-3556.
As we rode on, the greens became sparser, until we were lumbering along a flat grey desert dotted by clusters of hardy cogon. The jeep criss-crossed muddy streams, spraying us with water and sand. Soon enough, the jeep crawled up a dirt road carved out of the mountain. The beaches of Zambales could be glimpsed in the distance.
An hour of riding later, we reached a clearing where we would start our hike. Carefully, we descended down a steep lahar slope. Soon, we reached a wide path lined with boulders and volcanic rocks with sulfur streaks. Lofty lahar canyons loomed on the sides. Shortly after, we entered a thicket of shrubs and low trees.
Finally, after fifty minutes of hiking, we climbed up a concrete stairway and reached the ridge overlooking the crater lake. The blue-green waters twinkled in the distance, the clear surface broken by smooth ripples every now and then. Overhead, thick white clouds rolled by lazily.
We climbed down another flight of stairs to get to the lake’s edge. The water was icy cold and slightly salty. (Be warned: the water can dry your hair, especially if you’ve had your tresses treated or colored.) Two feet into the water, the rocky sand bottom abruptly slanted down. The guide told us that the middle of the lake was around 5000 feet deep. You can camp out overnight on the lake, although this is discouraged for security reasons. Kayak boats are also available for rent.
Massage treatments are available back at the Pinatubo Spa Town. The Shiatsu and Thai massage (P500) and the Mud Bath (P500) look tempting, but nothing extraordinary. For something different, try the Volcanic Ash Spa treatment (P500), where you’ll be buried from the neck down in warm volcanic ash mixed with volcanic salt.
If you’re not availing of any of the spa treatments, you have to shell out P100 to use the shower rooms. Believe me, after such a dusty hike, you’ll be in sore need of a shower and a change of clothes. You can also take a side tour of the Capas National Shrine, the end point of the World War II Death March; just ask Jovi for directions.
Back in 1991, you couldn’t say “Mt. Pinatubo” without feeling anger or resentment for all the havoc this volcano had wrought. Nowadays, “Mt. Pinatubo” brings back memories of a leisurely hike and a sparkling aquamarine lake. After all these years, it’s just amazing how something so destructive could turn into something so magnificent.
The Mt. Pinatubo hike package costs P1500, inclusive of the guide, 4x4 ride, and lunch. Contact Pinatubo Spa Town at (0928)341-0402 or (0928)781-3556.
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