Pinatubo March 29 08

Carl with his ambull Kovu; Kenneth and Eric, all coming from the south, were on the road to QC by 0100 to 0130. Majority of the participants had only two to zero hours of sleep because of work and other commitments. Rocky, Gary's daughter, and Charisse, her toy poodle, just didn't sleep because of excitement! The most well-rested award goes to Kenneth, who had SIX hours' sleep! It really pays to get your backpack ready one week early! The group left QC at 0300 and arrived at Sta. Juliana by 0430 Breakfast and last-minute preparations before boarding the jeeps.

THE PINATUBO DOG TREKKERS

WOO-HOO! PINATUBO, HERE WE COME!!!

We settled all fees at the ranger station -- er, pinatubo spa pala

(we honestly thought it was a barangay hall )

AND HERE WE GO!!!

STOPOVER TO SHIFT TO 4-WHEEL (tama ba term ko?) hehe at siyempre, basta may chance, kodakan ule!



Take note of the wall behind us...that's not a granite wall. It's a mountain made up of lahar.

MORDOR

The scenery was just unbelievable. It felt like we stepped into JRR Tolkien's world!

The first 30 to 45 minutes is all like this. We were just too glad to be early because the terrain was still cool and completely covered in shade.


Yellow streams crisscross the terrain.


Second half of the trek, you'd pinch yourself to see if you're still awake, wondering if you joined the right trek.

What in the world is a lush tropical forest doing in the middle of the desert?


Cooling off by a natural spring. Gary and family were brave enough to drink it... and with style! they drank from a leaf formed into a cup by our guide ala Richard Gere and Julia Ormond from First Knight




The last few steps to the crater edge...

And lo and behold, the majestic view that awaited us!

We've seen so many pictures and heard so many stories about Pinatubo from friends and the Internet, but still nothing has really prepared us for this view! Shock and Awe local version.

Another breathtaking sight at the top of the crater edge. (hindi kami, yung tinitingnan namin )

WE MADE IT AGAIN, FELLOW DOGHIKERS!!!

At siyempre kodakan na!!!

Dapat may QCDW shirt din si Charisse





Atras pa! Konting atras pa! hehehe

Down by the lake... (or is it UP by the lake?...)



Yihaaa!!!! Swimmingan na!!!






Hay salamat, nakabawi din ng tulog...

We were surprised to see Arthur, a fellow hiker we met at Mt. Manabo, Batangas Ang liit talaga ng mundo!

We were able to go down much earlier than planned. Kumulimlim around 1pm, so we took the opportunity habang hindi mainit.

All in all, it was a very pleasant trek. We were the first ones to arrive and the last ones to leave the lake. Sinong nag enjoy nang husto? haha lubusin na, di ba?

Until now, I still can't get over the magic of Pinatubo. Simply breathtaking...