The cataclysmic eruption of Pinatubo
Volcano in 1991 reduced the once 1,745 meters ASL mountain to a crater with an
average height of 1,300 meters, with the rim about 2.4 km across, and a crater
lake of unknown depth. The unbelievable amount of materials ejected by this
volcano inundated Central Luzon and Zambales and altered the area’s topography for
millennia to come.
Last February 26-28, climbing buddies from
college organized a Mt. Pinatubo climb to explore the possibility of descending
the crater from Pampanga side and scout for a route that will traverse into
Zambales side. We have already accomplished this feat 21 years ago and have set
the record for the first crater traverse (blog of climb here),
but we are itching for a repeat performance.
