Mount Pinatubo: Experiencing Sense of Wonder

Volcanoes have been always part of the Earth's natural history and have continued to shape human history. In some instances, volcanoes may generate fear. Consequently, these may stimulate feelings of awe, excitement and wonder.

In the Philippines, Mount Pinatubo's eruption in 1991 has been dubbed as the second largest of the 20th century. This event has directly affected the Aeta (the indigenous group of people living on the slopes of the volcano) and non-indigenous communities in the nearby provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales. Less than 800 people died due to direct and indirect causes of the eruption. Apart from these, the country suffered from US$1 billion worth of economic losses. Its after effects from ash clouds have affected the world by lowering global temperature and lahar flows have consistently threatened the local communities.

Ten years after, this active volcano that was once feared slowly blossomed as one of the region's prime tourist attractions. The eruption's resulting caldera (photo above) formed a lake which is now its most prominent feature. Every year, thousands of tourists travel to witness this gem and because of this, the communities that were once devastated by its eruption now benefit from tourism.

4x4 Jeepney ride

The Mount Pinatubo Tour starts by riding a 4x4 jeepney from the visitor centre up to trek starting point. The ride is about two hours each way. The maximum number of passengers per vehicle is five. On the first hour, the 4x4 passed by a flat desert-like terrain called Crow Valley. Expect the ride to be a little dusty especially if you are riding an 'open' 4x4. It would be best if it rained the night before your tour so that the dust would be minimised. Generally, I felt safe riding the 4x4 although the one assigned to us is a bit old.

After  the initial trail, the 4x4 will enter the lahar trail. This path is on the eroded mountain range where the lahar traversed towards the Tarlac side of the volcano. As the above photo shows, the 4x4 was dwarfed by the towering cliffs and boulders. The amount of destruction and the massive amount of volcanic debris that flown through this trail are evident in this segment.

Trekking

Two different landscapes compose the trek towards the crater-lake of Mount Pinatubo. The first features a dry scenery - rocks and land formations. Along the way, resting huts are provided for visitors. During this leg, my imagination has been again triggered by the devastating impact of the eruption through witnessing how such a phenomenon was able to wash out series of mountains. After almost an hour, we entered a greener forest area that is the other face of the trek. This trail showcases indigenous plants and trees and some wildlife, too.

Reaching the crater-lake

Mixed feelings of excitement and 'wow' moments came to me upon reaching the crater-lake. Being on a lake on top of a mountain, for me, is exotic and unimaginable. Again, I wondered how this beauty was formed out of a catastrophic event. Referring to this beauty, one of my friends said, "a volcano that once killed hundreds now puts smiles on peoples faces."


The serenity of this volcanic attraction will surely captivate anyone who would visit this place. During my visit, different feelings and emotions have been triggered as I pass by various volcanic features. Gazing at the crater-lake, I can't help but recall what an Aeta narrator once said,

...many believe that the terrible monster is already dead; but I think that he is just resting after his exertions, and that someday he will surely come out of his hiding place again… (in Rodolfo & Umbal, 2008, p. 437).



Reference
Rodolfo, K. & Umbal, J. (2008). A prehistoric lahar-dammed lake and eruption of Mount Pinatubo described in a Philippine aborigine legend. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. (176). pp. 432–437.
Mount Pinatubo tours run daily except on rainy weather. For tours and homestay accommodations, kindly visit http://mtpinatubotourhomestayphilippines.wordpress.com/ . You may also contact Sonia Bognot +639186021943 or Alvin Bognot +639198614102