The Captivating Mt. Pinatubo Crater-Lake

Mt. Pinatubo Crater
Mt. Pinatubo Crater

It was April 12, 2009 when I first climbed Mt. Pinatubo. I blogged about the 4×4 ride first. More than four months later, the Mount Pinatubo crater and lake itself, followed.

It was quite an experience leading the group of 40 individuals as their tour guide while I depended on my knowledge from research, online photos and briefing-orientation from the tour organizer back in Manila. On the other hand, facilitating the group was quite easy since our private van driver already know the drop-off location. And from the Pinatubo Spa Town center, the 4×4 jeepney drivers took over.

Mt Pinatubo Activites
Mt Pinatubo Activites

The 1-hour trip along the mountain ranges of the Pinatubo area on the 4×4 jeepneys were narrated here.

Upon reaching the stretch where the jeepneys can’t go, we started the trek.

We followed a stream up the mountains and passing a lot of boulders. We climbed a little more and viola! Just after 30 minutes of hiking, we’re atop the active Mt. Pinatubo volcano. We stood in amazement overseeing its majestic crater. The blue-green lake complemented the gray ash mountain on the background of a cloudless blue sky.

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake
Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake

The scene was captivating. It was how the pictures told the story.

We had to descend from atop the hill where we were overseeing the lake to go to the base camp. The crater-lake was as wide as two football fields, perhaps.

Everyone was hesitant to swim at first, perhaps due to the piercing heat of the noontime sun.

Mt Pinatubo Volcano
Mt Pinatubo Volcano

We had our lunch first under the trees and later on, some tried swimming. I read online that the sulfur content of the lake water may cause some skin problems for the delicate-skinned. I’m not sure, the idea and articles had their own critics and counter arguments; but I swam nonetheless. 🙂

Anyhow, generally everyone enjoyed. Mostly through taking their awesome photos while some just because of the company they are with.

By about 2pm, we headed back to where the 4×4 jeeps were parked.

Mount Pinatubo Swimming
Mount Pinatubo Swimming

But of course, not without a group picture first. 🙂

The jeepney ride on the way back was just as dusty but we stopped over one Aeta community for a while.

Sago bades goodbye to Mt. Pinatubo
Sago bades goodbye to Mt. Pinatubo

Back at the Pinatubo Spa Town, the shower was greatly appreciated and capped with a glass of the town’s local halo-halo for ‘merienda‘.

Indeed, Mt. Pinatubo’s crater-lake was a sight that can leave a visitor captivated.

7 thoughts on “The Captivating Mt. Pinatubo Crater-Lake

  1. Wow, I’ve been wanting to go for a Mt. Pinatubo Hike this year. I hope I can join other people and finally take pictures of Mt. Pinatubo too! ^_^

    Sago is just adorable! Hahaha :p

  2. A lot has changed, looking through your pictures, since we last trekked Mt. Pinatubo. I really love that place. Places like that gives me a sense of peace and most of all, close to where my heart is, home.

  3. I really appreciate your post regarding our very own mt. pinatubo, probably one of the most destructive nature creation but also one of the most wonderful nature creation we have, proud to be kapampangan.

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