Delta V via Sapang Uwak: The true form of Mt. Pinatubo // February 18 to 21, 2017

Ampy, I and Ana along the trail (February 2016)

At the crater (February 2016)

It's been a year since my first climb to Mt. Pinatubo.  It all started when Ana, Ampy, and I joined an organized climb, to the commonly ventured Capas trail (a.k.a 4x4 trail).  Mt. Pinatubo brought me to a new world of excitements, challenges, and discoveries.  A surging wanderlust has been awakened from my inner self, followed by series of climbs and travels.

I didn't expect that my anniversary climb this February will be that same mountain through the more challenging Sapang Uwak trail.  This time I witnessed the true form of Mt. Pinatubo; a far cry from what I encountered before.

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At Mabalacat Terminal, waiting for the jeepney

We arrived in Mabalacat Terminal at 2:30 am.  We were fetched by a jeepney to Brgy. Sapang Uwak.  The entry point has a strict security and a permit must be secured prior to a climb.  Our guides joined us along the way.  At the end of the route is a rough road where extensive march begins.  

The Trail


Day 1

An open trail and sunflower plants alongside

Nipa hut is their typical housing style, but I saw some concrete structures

Meet and greet with the locals.  Aetas are the indigenous dwellers of this place.  The man in the middle of the first image is the village's captain.  He was already the captain before the 1991 volcanic eruption.  

Mt. Arayat at a distance

Their version of tobacco.  A stick is good for 3 days

The first rope segment.  Most of the trails are comprised of bamboos and other thorny plants.  One wrong move and you will surely have a striking token from the mountain.  lolx

Stream crossing.  We were in a hurry due to impending rain. This is a flash flood prone area and the water current can knock you down.

This part of the stream has both hot and cold flows.  I think the hot water is already near the boiling point.  So, Mt. Pinatubo is still active?

A native chick (labuyo) caught by our guide.

Some Landscape

Waterfalls

1st waterfalls

Picture taken at the 2nd waterfalls

Dinner Preparation.  We camped beside the stream (last water source)

Day 2

Our guide suggested that we break camp at 3 am but, we resumed the trek at 10 in the morning.  The weather was not good.  The rain poured down and the surroundings became foggy.  The clearing improved during the afternoon.  

Rommel while preparing the breakfast.  His signature dinakdakan, tomato omelette, and fried fish

Having a morning cheers before the breakfast.  Nauna mag inuman bago lagyan ng laman ang tiyan :o

Morning photo ops besides the stream (water source).  Choy and Yzella (father and daughter)

Break Camp

Group picture at 10 am before resuming the hike. L-R (Toytoy our tour guide, Luisa (a.k.a "pot", Rommel, Binsoy (Doc), Choy, Yzella, Katharine (a.k.a "Aling Simang"), me, Daddy (Kath's father), and Sir Dick (a.k.a. "Boy Dugyot") - UGAT Mountaineers

Last Rope Segment

Daddy pulling the bags before we go up

Climbing up. A forest-like trail awaits up there.  

The trail after the last rope segment

Pot 

konti nalang

Assault to Summit

Steep slopes and strong cold wind made me tremble during this part.  Simang experienced the same (dinamay ko na para may kasama ako :P)

The Summit

The fast pacers

The signature pose of Choy

Picture taking near the summit

Ayun! kapit tuko si Simang pagkatapos magpapicture

At the Summit

The crater in a different point of view 

Close up shot

There was still some clearing by the time Binsoy reached the summit...

Here comes the fog... The other form of the summit

The knife-edge of Mt. Pinatubo

Descent
It was already 4 in the morning by the time we reached the jump-off, after having 10 to 12 hours trek from the summit.  The trail going down is still an integration of assaults in uneven terrain; rock climbing; and Thorny plants crossing.  The next water source is located an hour away from the jump-off; refiling enough water is a must.

Some photos taken

Toytoy (a.k.a. "Piolo") and I

My first encounter with a real pitcher plant.  May pwedeng pagkunan pala ng tubig pag walang wala na :P

Another photo ops

Going down in a 80 degree slope

Nearby mountains

At the foot of "McDonald".  Lunch at 3 pm.  Beef Broccoli and 2 cans of Tuna 

Golden hour and final assault

Landscape images during the sunset

Going to McDonald

Time check: 2:00 AM. Gutom na si doc! Sa inihaw na kamote kumapit...

9 AM at Mabalacat Terminal.  Chicharon gaming before going back to Manila.  Sick Leave!!!

Getting to the top is optional; getting down is mandatory - Ed Viesturs

Conceptual Itinerary
Day 0
12:00mn Victory terminal bus Cubao

Day 1
2:00am Dau terminal
3:00am Sapang Uwak
3:30am start trek
7:00am Delta 5 trail /breakfast
9:00am 1st water falls
10:00am 2nd & 3rd water falls
12:00nn dry river / lunch along the trail / last water source
1:00pm resume trek
3:30pm Mt.Pinatubo highest peak
4:30pm start descent
6:00pm mcdo summit camp site
7:00pm dinner
11:00pm lights off

Day 2
3:00am wake up call/ breakfast / break camp
5:00am start descent
7:00am water source
9:00am miyamit junction
10:00am Miyamit falls /swimming
11:00am lunch
3:00pm Sapang Uwak
4:30pm Tourism office of Spang Uwak
5:30pm wash up
6:30pm Du terminal
7:00pm dinner at Dau terminal
9:00pm Manila

Actual Itinerary
February 18, 2017 12 midnight ETD Cubao to Dau Terminal
February 21, 2017 10:00 AM ETA Cubao (Manila)

Note:
1. It will be better to have 3 days itinerary to fully appreciate the nature, than compressing everything in 2 days.
2. As of the writing, Miyamit Falls is close due to legal claims.
3. Things to bring:

Permit for the climb
Valid Identification Card
2-3 liter water 
Tent 
Sleeping bag 
Cap
Armsleeves
Warmer 
Whistle 
Headlamp 
Trail foods
Camera 
Jacket 
Cooking and Eating Utensils
Extra clothes 
insect repellent 
Alcohol
Toiletries 
Medical ket First aid
Garbage bag 
Slippers or sandals 

Safe budget for the whole climb: More or less 2500 per head (all in)

Photo Credit: Katharine A. Laviña, Binsoy Yap, Rommel Dalisay and Choy

End

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