Pinatubo Trail Run, Porac River

Last Saturday, October 11, I and five other friends from Congress Mountaineers fellowship attempted to climb Mt. Pinatubo crater via Porac River. It was a one-day climb up and down, so we traveled light, no backpack. The river has a strong current though, largely lahar (about 20% sand and 80% water). So we have to criss-cross the river several times as the lahar kept "lane change" many times. Peachy assisted by Raymond here in one of those river crosses.

We assembled at the Centris Station, QC around 2:15am. From left: Raymond Asanza, Jun Velasco, Gene Penas, Jun Dumlao, Peachy Dumlao, Jules and me. Jun Dumlao did not join, he only drove his wife Peachy to the meeting place then went home.

Raymond, Gene, Jules and me were among the first group of climbers in  the country who first climbed, descended, and traversed Mt. Pinatubo from Pampanga to Zambales in late December 1994, 20 years ago. For some reason, Jun Velasco and Peachy were not able to join us that year.

After breakfast at the North Expressway, we reached  Porac (via SCTEX) jump off station around 4:20am. We started our trek around 4:45am, all with flashlights or headlights. The 3/4 moon provided dawn light too. Below, when the Sun has risen, we have walked already around four kilometers.

Gene, our official photographer (all photos here from his camera) and Peachy. Still all smiles, before we started criss-crossing Porac river.

First rest stop, a brief one, and group photo. Raymond, Jules, Peachy, Jun and me. Gene on the camera.

The various rivers from Pinatubo down to Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales still have lots of high walls of sand that have somehow solidified but will soon collapse and become lahar as the water cascades down, ultimately to the sea (Manila Bay, West PH Sea Zambales side).

Wondering and being awed by various rock and sand formations is among the perks of this adventure.

And there are just too many huge rocks, especially further up. Some rocks are as big as a bus or a cargo truck. The smaller stones and rocks are easily swept by lahar down to the lower parts of the river.

The water or lahar would criss-cross from one side to the other side of the river. Thus, we also have to criss-cross the river several times.

Because it is lahar, about 20% sand and 80% water, it is dense, heavier and hence, stronger. There are small stones that go with the water that hit our feet and legs as we cross the river several times.

Below, I seem to be having fun as I crossed this part of the river.

Jun and Jules are the most fit among the six of us. They walked fast, they can run fast actually but have to wait for us. The two in one of their "wait for us" stops.

We brought only food and water going up. Jules brought bibingka, enjoying his meal here. What a smile Jules, haha.

We have to clean our socks and shoes several times as the sand would enter our shoes and punish our feet. Walking by slipper is fine but it does not give enough protection from the stones, and a strong river current can detach the slippers from our feet. Shoes or tight sandals are preferable.

To be continued. Photos of the waterfalls next.
-----------t

See also:
Mt. Pinatubo Climb, December 1994, January 24, 2014

Mt. Pinatubo Climb, February 2006, January 29, 2014

Mt. Pulag Climb, January 2014, February 04, 2014

Pinatubo Trail Run, October 10, 2014

Private Resort in Gen. Nakar, Quezon

There is a nice private resort and vacation house in Gen. Nakar, Quezon. It is in Brgy. Pamplona I think, and 10 kilometers from the highway in Infanta. It is owned by the family of Dra. Asanza. Her son Raymond, is a good friend of us in then Congress Mountaineers. We went there last weekend.

This is the view from the backyard. This place can accommodate many cars. Or can be used for camping, small soccer field, etc.

The front view. This side can accommodate 4-5 cars. The house has wooden walls and tile roof.

Wide living room inside. Here on the right and elevated side, we just laid the cushion, mattress and banig, and we can sleep.

View from the window.

An extension big room.

The toilets and shower room.

The backyard, going to the beach. There is a separate nipa hut on the right, and two cottages in front of the beach.

The beach front. Behind me are the two cottages.

If facing the sea, left side. The thickly forested mountains of Nakar and Sierra Madre Mt. Range.

Right side if facing the sea. There are a few commercial resorts here and they do not look expensive.

Raymond said they do not have the resources yet to develop the place into a commercial beach resort. But given its spacious area, wide beach front, wide parking lot, and the place as jump off to watch butanding (whale shark), the place can be rented by a big group, say a corporate outing and team building, or a clan reunion. Up to 8 families perhaps. I highly recommend it.

Interested parties, you may contact Raymond at rayvanrental@yahoo.com, or cp# 0939 8225898.
-----------

See also:

Gen. Nakar, Quezon, Mountaineers' Outing,

Butanding in Gen. Nakar, Quezon, April 30, 2014

Butanding in Gen. Nakar, Quezon

Butanding or whale shark sighting has become a major tourist in a number of coastal areas of the Philippines in recent years. The more famous is Donsol, Sorsogon, but it is far from Manila, perhaps 13 hours by car. Other coastal areas where butanding is known to exist are in Bohol, Negros Oriental, among others. And in Gen. Nakar, Quezon, where we visited only last weekend. All photos below are from Jun Dumlao's camera. We were on three different boats last Sunday and Jun's group was lucky to find two  butandings.

Among the indicators if there is a butanding in the area are the following. (10  Presence of these seagulls or wild ducks gliding to eat small fishes like dilis. Wild birds, tuna and butanding eat these small dilis.

(2) Huge splashes of water, the tuna or butanding are chasing a group of these small fishes.

(3) Fins of the butanding. Like small submarines creating small whirlpool of water.

And there they are.

Huge, dark fish with white spots.

Jun Velasco jumped in the water, and briefly swam with these gentle fish giants.

The other group or boat which saw butanding was Uly Veloso and Raymond Asanza's. Our group followed them too.  We only saw huge splashes and fins of the butanding from afar, we were not lucky to see them up close.

Nonetheless, it was a great adventure, with kids in town. Thanks again Raymond, for that wonderful weekend of fun and camaraderie.

* See also  Gen. Nakar, Quezon, Mountaineers' Outing, April 30, 2014