A simple guide and some reminders (things to bring) based on my Mt. Pinatubo story

Last Sunday, me and some of my friends went to Mt. Pinatubo to attend a marathon and hopefully win. Just kidding! Well, it looked like it was a marathon since it was really a long walk in my standards but I was enjoying every bit of it. The supposedly two hour total up to the crater was extended to close to three hours.

Why?

Simply because we were taking pictures and just enjoying the walk even if it was really tiring. But I wasn’t getting any sunburn because of my “outfit” – the farmer look which you will see below. Anyway, the day started at our meeting spot in Petron NLEX where we left at around 5:15. It took almost two hours to get to the drop off point where you will sign up, pay and transfer to a 4×4 jeep to reach the crater.

So off we went on the 4×4 and that trip took a little over an hour before the start of the trek…

Good thing there was no rain that day or else we would have taken the longer route or the “non Skyway route” which was double the time. The first part was exciting as it was cool to see all those lahar around you. For some reason I really find it nice. You’re like in a dessert with mountains in the background. You’re given a chance to stop and take some pictures, which I think took around 10 minutes but it was worth it not only for souvenirs but also since it was a little tiring to ride on something really bumpy.

The next part would be the trek, which takes forever if you’re not a nature lover. The first part was all lahar, which again was cool and it wasn’t that tiring since the landscape was mostly flat and I was wearing my comfortable Tribu sandals. This took around an hour for us since we were stopping to take some pictures and just enjoying the place.

After the “flat” lands comes the more challenging part. This is what I call the “Willy Wonka stream.” What’s with the name? While walking and hopping from rock to rock there was water coming from the top but it was deep. At most it was ankle high but you could step on the rocks to avoid getting really wet. Maybe I was just hungry or I was hallucinating from lack of liquids but while we were talking I just said “yup, just like Willy Wonka.” And the people in front of me stopped since there was no word close or rhymed with Wonka. I must have been a little dehydrated that time haha But I had already drank two bottles of Gatorade and I wasn’t thirsty. Maybe I was just hungry.

It sad that I wasn’t able to take a picture of the sign before this “Willy Wonka stream” since it said that Kids could finish this in 11 minutes while adults could finish it in 20 minutes. We finished that area in close to 40 minutes I think before we were able to reach the crater. So where do you classify us?

Once we got to the top of the crater we could see the water below and it was really beautiful and just breath taking. I mean literally, it just took my breath away because I was really tired at that time. I just wanted to drink and eat sweets.

We headed down near the water area and had lunch, which was provided in the package and brought by the tour guide. It wasn’t really good food since it was cold or I was just too tired to eat real food as I wasn’t able to eat my sandwich too. You know that feeling right?

After this, we took the boat around the crater to the opposite side where you could swim. This is the part where the tour guide told us that one part of Mt. Pinatubo is still part of Tarlac while the other one was part of Zambales. Once we got there, around 8 of the people in our group swam and it was fascinating to know that the water wasn’t that hot but the floor was getting hot and you could see some steam coming out.

After close to three hours there, we headed home and it took us less time since everyone was tired and didn’t want to do more picture taking. It was close to 5 when we got back and we were all hungry that’s why we were able to try their massage, which supposedly, should have been a big part of the whole trip. Well, maybe next time…if there will be a next time.

So…do I recommend going to Mt. Pinatubo?

Yes and No.

Yesbecause the whole trekking thing is just a great experience plus it’s a good exercise. It’s really a fun thing to do and despite feeling tired with all the walk I must say that the whole trip was a relaxing one. Yes, my body is tired from all the walking but seeing the crater is just _________ <--ran out of words to describe this. But you get it...it's really nice. This is a place where you should try it even for once. That said, it's those things that can be called "One and Done" if you're not a nature lover. Once you've tried it you're done. For me, I'm willing to go back as long as the group is fun to be with.

Nobecause if you aren’t a nature lover you would really have a hard time enjoying this place. You’re better suited going to other places in the other parts of the Philippines or abroad.

Things to bring to Pinatubo:
• Water – around 2 liters would do and I suggest adding Gatorade.
• Sandals – Tribu is really good and I don’t suggest wearing shoes or using Crocs (too expensive).
• Hat – Any will do but the bigger the better. How about having a fan like mine to cool your head?
• Camera – You wanna capture those moments.
• Clothes/ Towel – Swimwear and extra clothes are needed especially if you want to swim and you’ll be sweating too.
• Mat/Sarong – Something to sit on while eating.
• Sunblock – You’ll be exposed to the sun so you better have some.
• Mosquito repellant – There are a lot of mosquitoes and flies there.

Reminders for Pinatubo:
• Do your final texts and/or calls within 15 minutes after you exit SCTEX since there would be no signal even in the spa area, which is 20 minutes from the exit.
• Expect nothing but nature all right? There are no amenities inside the crater except for one common comfort room which was everything but comforting but at least they have one
• Don’t go if it’s raining (A tip coming from Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet)
• Leave before 6 AM. We left a little after 5 AM and it was just right.
• Bring extra food just in case you don’t like the food that is served
• Expect a lot of flies in the crater
• Enjoy the show just like Lenka and let me know about it all right?