Mount Pinatubo 04: Beholding the beauty of the Crater Lake

From the jumpoff point all the way to the top, endurance was the name of the game. The 5-hour trek meant nothing anymore when I learned that I was already a few feet away from the crater lake. It was around two in the afternoon when I first laid my eyes on the lake. It was sensory overload.

I’ve seen so many photos of the crater lake prior to this, but seeing it for real and experiencing it was way indescribable. The lake was shimmering because of the sun. The vegetation around the crater was lush green. There was a subtle wind blowing from the east swaying the grasses as if they were dancing with glee. I took a moment before I started taking photos, exhausting all possible angles.

From the top west side with the leafless branch and the crater wall framing the shot

From the top east going down the long stairs to the lake shore

From the south-western part

From the hiker's area (from the back of our tent, to be specfic)

From a hole that I accidentally spotted while looking for various angles

late afternoon with crater wall almost fading from the scene

late morning with the clouds reflecting on the water

The mossy crater wall

From the lake shore

Another look

I am almost plunging into the cold water

It's blue. No it's green. No it's cyan. It's turquoise!

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Crim, Etch and I watched the Pacquiao-Hatton boxing fight at the MegaMall yesterday. Crim and I both went from LB and we just met with Etch at the Cinema 10 way passed 8 AM. The undercard bouts were boring us to death so much so that Crim and I took the pleasure of superficially bashing the boxers. Some superficial nonesense such as how Gaudet would win solid to Soto if it was a beauty contest they were bouting for or how Matthew Hatton must have been "too energized" against his nemesis from Mexico, Ernesto Zepeda. Anyway, I decided that a swig of two shots of cappucino would perk my senses. It did.

During the main bout, it was just two rounds and the fight was over. After five minutes and some seconds, Ricky Hatton was knocked out! Jeezus. Crim and Etch almost lost their voices screaming inside the cinema. I was still in awe. "The fight was over? That's it?!"

Mount Pinatubo 03: Traversing the rocky, rugged trails to the crater

It was not a leisure hike going to the crater.

The sun was already scorching hot when we started the trek. I was dreaming for a cold splash but we always ended up gulping hot air as drops of sweat fell on our faces. With a huge pack in my back and a heavy camera bag in front, I could not even remember how I managed the five-hour hike to the crater with the harsh heat.

JUMP-OFF POINT. Everyone gears up for the 4-5 hour hike to the crater. UPM members enjoin that we do warm-up before starting the trek.

ROCKY TRAIL. The long and enduring trek started, a barren land with amazing rock formations along the vast horizon.

WETLANDS. Along the way are little streams of water.

GETTING WET. These little streams are like oasis in this vast, barren land. It refreshed us somehow.

BOULDERS. I've seen rocks in all sizes as we reached a greater height.

PARTS & PIECES. Some rocks have funny formations.

COVE OF ROCKS. From here it was all dusty and rugged.

GUSHING WATER. If your packs are heavy, it's difficult crossing the stream.

The trail going to the crater was far even worst than I thought it would be. Rocks in all sizes, huge boulders everywhere, and a never ending stretch of volcanic sands—the place looked forsaken. There were no trees to hide from and the water source for drinking was still a few hours away. I was thinking then, "What the heck am I doing here?"

In between bursting sweat and heavy hauls, I told myself, “That crater must be that feckin’ beautiful to make all this effort worth our while!” Motivating oneself has always been a very good resort and with the image of the turquoise-colored of the crater lake on my mind, I think no amount of pain would ever stop me from reaching that little piece of paradise.

Along that 5-hour hike I learned a lot of things.

I learned to endure pain more than I thought I could. It was mind over matter; pain is nothing unless you acknowledged it!

I learned to live with what I have. I was thirsty all the time. I was hungry most of the time. I wanted to whine but thinking that I was the one who encouraged my officemates to join this challenge, I kept my whining in silence. I had at least a hundred of thoughts running inside my head while I was making the hike and it somewhoe kept me entertained.

I lost my shades 15 minutes away from the crater. I had to go back to the trails and looked for it like some idiot looking for a cent in the bushes. That piece of eyewear has a sentimental value. I bought that during my Kota Kinabulu trip with Charl. The shades was on-sale and Charl coaxed me to buy one as a birthday gift to myself. Anyway, I never found it.

Next post... the crater lake!

Mount Pinatubo 02: The wild 4x4 ride to the jump off point

Perhaps one of the best come-ons in climbing the Mount Pinatubo is the 45-minute 4x4 ride all the way to the jump-off point. Imagine your whole body being subjected to all kinds of movements (from body shakes to head bumps) while the truck veers off along a vast, rugged, baren land. Not to mention the volcanic dust serving as your face powder!

A parade of old trucks still rockin'

UPM (courtesy of Louie and Ryan) checks the number of passengers for every truck

Laine from the glass

Trucks getting all wet and wild (photo courtesy of Don)

One of the guides preferred to ride in front.

Someone wants to ovetake!

Hanging for his dear life (that's besides the smoke of volcanic sands which he doesn't seem to mind)

Going around the bend

Inside the truck, people are getting crazy because of the head bumps and the body shakes.

Pat and Chris wanting to kill each other.

Crim is not in a very good mood after the painful head bump. Ouch!

Don is pouting because his camera is low bat.

Amidst the bumps and the shakes, I managed to catch a boy running in the middle of that barren, forsaken land.

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[postscript]

We see pain and heartaches everywhere. Even to those who are smiling back. I have high respect for people who keep their poise even though their heart are aching. I (honestly) think there is gain in weeping in silence.

Nothing is more painful than asking something that I know will hurt someone.

Mount Pinatubo 01: Responding to UPM’s Challenge

Quick Facts:

Type: Stratovolcano (active)
Elevation: 960+ MASL (meters above sea level)
Location: borders of Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga (Luzon Island, Philippines)
Meaning: “Pinatubo” in Tagalog and Sambal means “to grow” wherein indigenous people claim as a fertile place where crops can grow and be productive.
Prominence: It erupted in July 16 with a magnitude of 7.7 the largest earthquake recorded in 1990. Less than two decades later, it is now one of the country’s most beautiful travel destinations.

A month ago, Laine sent me an invite for the Talikasan 2009: Mount Pinatubo organized by the University of the Philippines Mountaineers (UPM), wherein she is a member. Right away, I got excited. I have read the accounts of Allan (Lantaw) and Dom (Escapo) on their great trek to the majestic crater lake of Mount Pinatubo and promised myself that given the opportunity, I would join this action-packed expedition to the world-famous volcano.

Thus, after the invite was sent, I immediately signed up. I also encouraged friends from the office to join the trek.

No, we didn’t take the “skyway”…we climb the old way taking us five hours from the jump off point to the crater lake via the canyons carved by lahar flows.

Mountaineers gear up and getting ready for the trek

Our bus that took us from Quezon City to Capas, Tarlac

The 4 x 4 truck

My officemates!

Start of the 4 x 4 ride going to the jump off point

Beautiful riders

My first glimpse at the barren land

Meeting the locals

We passed by "manong" getting some supply for his house

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[postscript]

...and why is it that every time I see you (or you see me), I am often in a comical situation. blrrr!

Cordillerans: Of red cheeks and welcoming smiles

Mother and child: Cordillera style

The men looking so cool

On our way to the ranger station, we met friendly Cordillerans along the way. Our jeep was stuck in a pothole and it took our driver some time to get out of it. As he was trying his best to do that, I acquianted myself with the Cordillerans who were watching us get out of our own mess. Perhaps, they have gotten used to "visitors" like us-- people from the lowland.

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Mount Pulag 04: The Descend

Life is so short; close to the edge of another backdoor

Life is so sure; life will be ready to twist up your world...
~ Lacuna Coil (To the Edge)~

We stayed at the summit for hours and decided to descend just as the other batches of climbers were starting to arrive. We still have our tent and things to fix and pack before heading to the lowland.

Since we made the assault very early in the morning and the weather was not very friendly, it was impossible for me to take photos. So, I decided to take photos during our descend wherein I could see everything even the precipice.

Descending from the summit.

Nine-year old Niel leads the pack.

A long line of climbers.

Chocolate hills and the thick fog.

Going along the curve.

My lone tree. :-)

Taking snapshots of the rolling hills.

With the increasing number of climbers going to Mount Pulag, more trails are being estbalished occupying a portion of the grassland.

A photographer against the thick fog from the mountain.

The fog is almost gone, the temperature is rising and we're near the Ranger Station once again.

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Have a nice weekened everyone!