Mt. Pinatubo Climb 2016

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.

There are three established trail to the crater of Pinatubo: the most popular and easiest is from Capas, Tarlac via the (overbearing, expensive and very restrictive) operators of 4X4 tour vehicles which entails a long motorized ride and a short hike to the crater rim; the second is via Sapang Uwak, Porac, Pampanga with an established hiking trail; and the third is via San Marcelino, Zambales.

We (me, Jules and Bong) opted for a river route with a jump-off near the intersection of Porac-Subic road (SCTEX) and Pasig-Potrero River in Porac. This route entails a 23 km hike following the meandering Pasig-Potrero River up to the crater rim. In addition to the usual 3-day camping gears and supplies, we carried ropes, abseiling equipment and ascenders – an average load of 15 kg per climber.

Day 1, February 26

We arrived very early at Porac from Manila purposely to meet up with our Aeta porters. We can haul our backpacks but we are looking forward to a lighter load – but no porter showed as daylight came. The hike started at 0630 in a seemingly flat terrain of water, sand, rocks and boulder. Elevation gain is noticeable only because of the flow of the river. The remnant lahar-river bed is wide from the start and narrows down in a few canyons and gullies near the crater mound. Getting your feet wet is inevitable as you have to cross the river a few dozen times at knee-deep water during dry season. We were lucky with overcast skies and cool weather during the whole trip. A Mt. Pinatubo river trek under a hot sun would have been very difficult and draining. The vegetation along the banks are mostly cogon and sparse small trees.

The desolation of Porac

A narrow canyon, a perilous crossing during rainy days

After walking for about 7 km, we came upon a community of Aeta at the riverbanks and there we met our porters who thought we cancelled our trip. We were relieved of our loads in exchange for P700 per porter and what followed was a brisk trek across the desolate and monotonous lahar fields of Porac. Sand, rocks, boulders, huge boulders, river crossing to the left bank, river crossing to the right bank… for 18 km. Recommended in this trek are shoes with thicker soles for cushion on uneven rocks and boulders and non-waterproof fabric as it will retain water after river crossing. Along the way are narrow canyons, a waterfalls and a two-layer waterfalls. At the 18 km point, the Aeta porters called it quits and left us to haul our gears on our own. It was also at this point that the terrain started to ascend in a steeper slope. The going at this point was slow and we arrived at the very windy crater rim at around 1500.

Nth river crossing of the same river 

A waterfalls marks the halfway point, trail is to the right

A two-layer waterfalls ... another detour to the right

From this gully starts the Pasig-Potrero River 

A volcanic crater is always intimidating – and Mt. Pinatubo’s crater is huge!  Surrounding the crater are the jagged peaks of the rim with vertical drop to the crater floor.

Panorama of the crater from the eastern rim

Pinatubo sunset

As there is water source nearby, we camped in a very narrow ledge at the crater rim for the best view. Pitching the 2-person tent (for 3 climber) and cooking dinner were the next order of business. It was a windy and cold night, lights out at 1900 hours.

Campsite at a very narrow clearing at the crater rim

Day 2, February 27

This day we explored potential routes down to the crater floor below. The first candidate is a drop to a ledge about 30 meters below the rim edge and with a stable rock anchor for the ropes. Jules went down while I belayed. It turned out that the ledge leads to another drop with an undetermined depth. As we lack more ropes to descend to the second drop, we did not attempt to reach the crater floor this way.

Preparing for crater descent, securing anchor and belay ropes

After lunch, me and Jules again scouted for a route at the south of the campsite. After trekking and scaling steep grassy slopes for 2km, we reached a saddle with a single vertical drop of about 50 meters directly to the crater floor -  a candidate route for the next attempt. Until next time, this crater traverse will be.

Our refuge (yellow tent) as seen from a ridge to the southeast of rim

The frontyard view 

DAY 3, February 28

Descent started late at 0730 with a detour to the saddle where we trekked the other day – to find Jules’ missing smartphone. Failed to find the phone after 2 hours and proceeded the long trek down. We walked for 16 km with few brief stops and consuming only sports gel for sustenance. At the Aeta community, we met up again with our Aeta porters who hauled our backpacks for the remaining 5 km near the jump-off which we reached by 1600.

The long hike down to Porac

My total trekked distance for the climb was 46 km, 16 km of which with porters. Elevation gain/loss is about 1,100 meters. Photo credits: Jules Calagui and Bong Malabed. Track of the route (from different time on the same trail) here.

By Noel Mercado II