Mt. Pinatubo Chronicles: The Pain and Gain

My hopes were high since after the plan to climb Mt. Pinatubo was finalized. Although the initial count was 15 climbers, there came piecemeal withdrawal from others a few days before the schedule cutting the attendees down to 10. This number thankfully gave us exact headcount for the two 4x4 ATV accommodation. This trip, being my first climb in 2012, kept that towering excitement until the day to take the challenge has finally arrived.

My shirt's print isn't clearly seen here but it reads: "Share the passion" (to climb).

After securing all the things in my hiking bag, I slept early to recharge for an early morn journey. We were picked up by a private service car at 4AM. Inside, I was busy introducing my travel buddies to each other. There was Jen with a friend I just met and I was with another team, my friends in the church. I saved energy while on our way to Pampanga by taking naps time and again while the rest continued chatting among their new friends, and some were busy eating their breakfast. We knew we’re nearly approaching the foot of the mountain when all these 4x4 trucks appeared on the side roads. After more than two hours, we finally reached the place!

The venue was already jampacked with climbers when we came. In fact, we weren’t able to choose our ATV jeeps. Because the only available units at that time were 1 open air 4x4 which we actually preferred and 1 closed cart wheel drive, we decided to exchange rides after the descend. It was the ATV ride that boosted our excitement for this day so we wanted to give everyone the experience that we ought to have ─ trying to be off-roaders in standing position!

And our journey to a painful success begins!

The terrain was literally a rocky road. It felt like I was not in the Philippines that time. Add horses to the picturesque land and it would perfectly describe what a Marlboro world looks like. Dusty and the air at some part stinking with the farm animal’s wastes, I was very much thankful that my team was assigned to the closed vehicle type! Our both sides were firmly protected from the waters too. I couldn’t number the shallow rivers we crossed along the way while on board and even the ones we passed through while walking. We took a short break in a barren land for some photo shoots. Believe me, it was a great panoramica!

We took breaks in between our hike to take photos and it's such a big relief.

We were finally taken to the starting point of the climb after that 45-minutes ride. While staring at the long stretch of rocky road leading to our destination, my enthusiasm started to wane. The distance frightened me ─ I was afraid for my lungs to crash and for my whole body to surrender. But as the line of climbers began to thickened from afar, there emerged an unexplainable confidence in me. I was already there so there’s just no reason for me to draw back. With trembling poise, I followed our guide and started the first step to this painful journey.

The shallow rivers covered almost half of the trail.

It almost convinced me that my decision to wear sandals was such a good idea ─ on the watery part. I got heap of blisters around my feet, giving me a total discomfort until we reached the crater lake. By then, I was literally pulling myself up closer to the finish line. Aside from exhaustion over that more-than-three-hour walk, I was seriously starving too! I did eat my breakfast but had it so early; all my calories got burned and I had nothing on my pocket to munch while on our way up the ridge.

L-R Front: DAISY, SARO, KAT | L-R Back: ME, JEN, AM, HACEN, JUSTIN

Each step taking us closer to the crater was just so precious! I nearly gave up in the midst of that journey but after seeing how beautifully created that once-perilous-volcano was, my jaw dropped! The crater lake was a perfect work of art. I couldn’t fully describe the happiness I bear that time. It amazed me again of the creativity of the Lord.

What to do when the water is there? SWIM!

After eating our lunch over the mountain, we took gazillion of pictures for our souvenir. It was disappointing, by the way, to know that there was neither souvenir shop at the peak nor certificates for successful climbers. Well, perhaps that’s something the local government units should look after to in pursuit of promoting this treasure from above. Each climber must practice being responsible too in keeping cleanliness there. It's a literal treasure that we ought to preserve, after all.

It was indeed a painful journey but our successful ascend to Mount Pinatubo brought me priceless satisfaction I can never have when I just cuddle in comfort somewhere else!

Posted in: itchy feet,Luzon,panoramica