Mt. Pinatubo: A Test of Patience and Endurance

An early morning trip to the north is not easy for a southerner like me, so together with Kaiye, we decided to stay for a few hours at Gran Prix Econotel which is already in Victory Liner Cubao's compound to make sure that we won’t be late for the 2:30 am call time. We didn't get a good sleep because we could hear the noise outside. We still managed to 'wake up' an hour and a half before the call time though. 

We checked out at exactly 2:00 am and ate breakfast before we met up with Ayla and Eira -- Travel Factor's trip coordinators. We also met fellow bloggers, RJ and Marj, and we just clicked right away.
 

 Byaheng Victory

The bus promptly left at 3:00 am and arrived at Capas, Tarlac by 5:30 am – 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Shortly after, we were handed waivers and the 31 participants were divided into 7 groups.
  
Kaiye and I shared the 4x4 with newfound friends, Mia, and Chee from Malaysia. I got a bit disappointed that we got a closed 4x4, but this turned out to be an advantage by the end of our trek. 

The 4x4 ride was not as bumpy as I thought. I imagined I would be screaming like a 5-year old girl or that my pancreas would fall off somewhere between Capas and the jump off point. Sadly (or fortunately?) none of that happened. Our driver was really good. He knows the terrain like the back of his hand.

It was still dusky at 6:30 am.

After kilometers of lahar, occasionally passing by puddles of mud, we stopped in one area where we could take some pictures. Finally, we could see some greenery.

Satisfied after taking some shots, our guide, Kuya Mario, suggested that we head off to the jump off point. Again, off we went in our 4x4 passing by more pleasant scenery. This time, there's more greenery and interesting lahar formations. I tell you, it’s not easy capturing the landscape while being jostled inside the 4x4, but I’m glad I managed to get some good shots.

‘Time space warp, ngayon din!’ #80skid

Some aetas still live here, but according to Kuya Mario, they would go up the mountain during the rainy season.

The ride took another hour before we reached the jump off point. It was surprisingly cold, but I liked it because I didn't sweat as much. The trek was not as hard as I expected. It was tiring, yes, but not that difficult. And that’s coming from someone who only counts going up the 700+ steps of Mt. Tapyas in Coron and the 500+ steps to Mt. Caglago in Caramoan as her ‘hiking’ experience.

After almost an hour trekking...this is just the beginning.

Almost twenty minutes after, we reached the ‘stop over’ where we can have our toilet break and breather. I munched on my energy bar and gulped as much water as I can. As soon as I saw other people arriving, I got up and we continued with the trek. Anyway, it was only 20 minutes away according to the sign. Senior citizen? Haha

We crossed several streams and rocky tracks before we reached the paved steps going to the crater. I was panting a bit since we’re already in an ascending part, but did not complain about it – a far cry from my old self who cursed Bangkok Skytrain’s flight of stairs.

We were one of the few groups who first arrived at the crater so we had ample time to take pictures and enjoy the place before the crowd came. We also went down closer to the lake, but the cold became unbearable so we didn’t stay long.

I dragged my weary body back to the pavilions. Social skills went out the window as I scrambled to find a spot where I could lie down. I needed a catnap; nevermind if the stones were a bit jagged. I’m glad I did that because I regained some energy. Everyone was already having their lunch when I woke up, so Kaiye and I brought out our idea of packed lunch – canned sausage and rice. WTF! haha

Still beautiful despite the gloomy weather

To be honest, it was a bit disappointing that the sun didn’t show up. We had thick clouds and the water was dark – almost grayish. 

If I was still a neophyte traveler, I would have thrown a hissy fit because the lake didn’t have that picture perfect blue-green water and clear skies that I saw in other blogs. But that’s nature for you, ladies and gentlemen. It won’t conform to your standards of beauty. Either you go on bitching about it or see it in a different perspective. After all, you can’t do anything about it, can you? 

With Kaiye and Mia

Since swimming is not allowed - and even if it was, I doubt if anyone can withstand the cold temperature - and boating was not offered either, there was nothing much to do so we were there for only a couple of hours then the group decided it was time to go back.

Again, we were one of the first groups to descend (yung totoo, nagmamadali ba kami?). Naturally, the trek going back was definitely easier. It also started drizzling past halfway our trek. Good thing we were already close where our 4x4 was parked when the downpour started. Thankfully, we got a closed 4x4 so we weren't drenched in the rain.

Initially, I wanted to be chosen for this trip just so I could cross something off from my bucket list but got so much more. I made new friends, and more importantly, I learned that trekking tests your patience. I was also reminded that most of the time, you have to tread rough roads, endure the heat or cold to see and experience something beautiful.

For someone who's sedentary, I was expecting to go home with severe body ache, or bruised limbs, or with a sprained ankle, but no, I didn't suffer even a single blister. :) That's what I love most about traveling -- I go in with self-doubt but always come out with a boosted self-esteem.

A lot of things didn't end up as I expected, but without a doubt, I enjoyed this trek so it definitely won't be my last. :)

Special thanks to Byaheng Victory and Travel Factor. Yeah, we definitely conquered Mt. Pinatubo!



DISCLOSURE POLICY: This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Kat Torres at katrina[dot]torres0517[at]gmail[dot]com.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. Even though the blogger receives complimentary products and/or services, the blogger will always give honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

K

For real time travel updates and more photos, please 'Like' my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter and/or Instagram. Happy travels!

Find this blog post helpful? You can share it by using one of the buttons below.