Hiking up Mt. Pinatubo

 2011, Philippines  1 Response »
Jun 182011
 

 

After three weeks in the Philippines, I’ve come to realize that there is a degree of hyperbole about all trips in and about the Philippines … or maybe it is that I’m a little immune to hyperbole. For instance …

  • I heard that the hike to Batad was a difficult one and I really didn’t find it that tough.
  • Going up to Taal Volcano via a horse or hiking would be tough … and really it wasn’t at all
  • Finally, going to Mt. Pinatubo would be a long day trip with a tough hike … in the end, it wasn’t that tough either.

That being said, there are two ways to get to the top of Mt. Pinatubo … the easy way using the “skyway” or the hard way, which is called the “old way”. The journey from Manila is broken into 4 parts

  1. Getting from Manila to Mt. Pinatubo
    1. Using a personal driver : Depending on who you chat with, you get differential opinions on the trip length. I got opinions between 3 -5 hours. In the end, with my driver Hermie, we got there via the SLEX in about 2:10 mins.
    2. Using the bus or public transport : From Manila, take a bus bound for Lingayen or Dagupan and alight at Capas Tarlac (Victory Liner at 91 Php) or you can take your light vehicle directly to Barangay Sta. Juliana or a 4X4 vehicle, 2 hours from the crater.  From the North Expressway, exit at Sta. Inez.  Take the Mc Arthur highway then passing by Banban you will finally reach Capas Tarlac.

MOUNT PINATUBO TREKKING : Starting point
Most Mt. Pinatubo trek begins at the base camp in Brgy. Sta. Juliana in Capas, Tarlac. Here, you will be requested to register and you will be assigned a local guide and a 4×4 vehicle. Currently, there are plenty of registered Pinatubo local guides and 77 units of 4×4 vehicles ready to bring you to the next level of outdoor adventure. Arriving early at the base camp is important as the guides and 4×4 vehicles get booked really fast especially on weekends and on peak season (Philippine summer and holidays). That’s why we usually have to leave Manila around 3am or Angeles at 5am or the base camp at 7am. Before you start your Mt. Pinatubo trek it’s important to have a good breakfast. It’s also important to bring some food and enough water with you since you will be back to the base camp only around 4pm.

As for the story … I think we all know of it … Pinatubo, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) north of Manila, exploded in June 1991 after a 500-year slumber, dumping billions of tons of volcanic debris on three provinces, erasing entire farm communities and altering the world’s climate. Pinatubo’s eruptions were so massive that its top was simply blown away, reducing its height by 300 meters (985 feet). Rainwater formed a crater lake.

During the rainy season, roughly from June to about October, climbing is forbidden as the volcanic debris on its slopes and in river channels become deadly avalanches.

One of the things to look out for is the dust in the  dry season. I have asthma and my inhaler was definitely needed as there was dust everywhere. The other thing to look out for, is the lack of seat belts on the 4 X 4′s, you will definitely have to hold on the vehicle bars really well as the ride is very bumpy.

All the drivers are skilled and experienced on crossing these canyons so there is no fear that your vehicle will topple over. They also use a buddy system which means that no 4×4 can leave the base camp without a support vehicle. All drivers are required to bring a 2-way radio on top of their personal phone with them.

Now once you get to the top of the Skyway, all the vehicles park into a common area for safety and then you’re off to hike up the mountain to the crater lake.

After hiking what seems like an eternity through the cauldron of death … along the half way point, you’re met with a sign that tell you how terrible you are.

Based on this terrible sign, I was determined to make it under 18 mins, even with my terrible cardiovascular fitness. I am happy to report that from the sign to the top of the view, it took us 16 mins. Although the last steps were a bitch to deal with.

After the hiking and climbing, you are definitely rewarded with an exquisite view.

The best part was marveling at the view

8 tips for hiking Mt. Pinatubo

 2011, Philippines  1 Response »
May 202011
 

My tips for going up Mt.Pinatubo

  1. Take a change of clothes.
    When you hike all the way up, you’re going to jump into the crater lake. You’ll need clean clothes for the ride back. There is also a full shower, that you can use at the spa town and even get a massage after the hike.
  2. Bring multiple bottles of water.
    You’ll need it. There is no clean water going up to Pinatubo. There is one toilet stop along the hike, you can wash your hands in the stream, however you can’t drink the water. Water is cheap before you get on the hike, if you have to buy water at the top, you’re going to pay 6X the price.
  3. Bring extra money
    Your entrance fee doesn’t cover the boat ride across the lake. If you came this far, paying 350 pesos to have some guy do this, is completely worth it

  4. Absolutely swim in the crater
    The water is cold-ish, but once you sit on the shore, most of the shoreline is warm and bubbly. This is the strange part—when you step on the sand, especially near the shoreline, the sand is too hot you can’t stay in one place for 3 seconds but the water is cold. Blame the water temperature on mountain weather and the hot sand on the magma below. Quite a contradiction. 
  5. Bring a good camera with video
    The vistas are awesome, the scenery is stunning. Why come all this way and not get amazing pictures. It will also help to have a waterproof camera, since you’re going to be in the crater lake and in a little rowboat.

  6. Get there early (before 7am) – if you are a solo traveller.
    I went by myself and I had to pay the entire 5000 PHP for the 4X4. For me, I’m not that price sensitive (thanks ACN), that’s almost 100$ Canadian but if you are by yourself, then you will need to hike along with a group. This is an awesome trip and you want to share the experience. Thankfully, my driver Hermie had never been along for the hike, so it was awesome sharing that experience with him
  7. Book your tour directly
    Forget going through a tour company or your hotel. Get there and find someoe directly. You’ll feel better that the locals are getting the money. If you are a group of 5 and above, you just have to pay 1,500 php per head ( the includes the 4×4, entrance fee, guide fee, skyway toll fee and lunch—already a good deal). Make direct transactions with somebody in the site and not with a travel company.
  8. Ensure you have great sunglasses and sunblock
    There is a lot of glare off the rocks and the water. No explanations necessary. 

BUDGET SUMMARY : Per Person in a group of 5 or more

  • 1,500 PHP  : per head for lunch, entrance fee, 4×4 to set off point, guide fee and skyway toll
  • 350 PHP : Crater boat ride
  • 150 PHP : Diet Coke – if you don’t take your own
  • 400 PHP : Massage in spa town
    __________
    TOTAL = 2,400 php ~ $57 Canadian

I miss Palay on the road … not the difference between Palay and Palance!

 2011, Philippines  2 Responses »
Apr 112011
 

Most rice farmers in the Philippines will dry the rice on the side of the road – never mind the possibility of dirt, bugs and losing your rice to the wind when the cars pass by.

How do you stop the cars whizzing by your rice, when it is nice sunny day like this?

…. without guarding or shoveling your palay?

or covering both shoulder of your roads with palay?

Well you obviously, stop traffic and use stop signs to guard your palay and ensure that people will no drive through it.

btw … Palance … well I will let you google it.

Banaue in pictures … not much needs to be said!

 2011, Batad, Philippines  1 Response »
Apr 042011
 
Banaue in pictures ... not much needs to be said!

Getting to Banaue is easy … it is tourist friendly, easy on the eyes and easy on the budget. Nothing really to write on it – aside from … if you’re in the Philippines and you miss it, then you need to re-evaluate your priorities. Definitely getting up with the rice terraces in your view [... Click here to keep on reading this article]

60+ countries and Trini KFC is still the best … I can’t understand what is up with Jollibee’s

 2011, Philippines  No Responses »
Mar 292011
 
60+ countries and Trini KFC is still the best ... I can't understand what is up with Jollibee's

Ok! I said it … at the risk of alienating every Filipino on the planet – I think Jollibee’s SUCKS! Then again I think McDonalds is the worst food product ever invented by man – since it isn’t even food – and once again Filipinos love McDonalds. I even tried the KFC in Manila  and [... Click here to keep on reading this article]

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