Credits: Frame – Akiloune kit so natural cadre
Taking a 4X4 off-road jeep makes trekking Mt. Pinatubo a walk in the park. What used to be a whole day trek requiring overnight camping in 1999 (when we first trekked this beautiful landscape) is now down to 1 hour of 4X4 ride and about 45 minutes hike to the crater lake. A far cry eh?
This was taken 5 years ago when the service of 4X4s already existed but still required a grueling 2 hour trek to the crater and hours of rutty ride to the jump-off. The experience however made the journey exceptionally memorable.
In June 1991, after more than 4 centuries of slumber, this volcano erupted so violently (coupled with an unfortunate tropical storm) that its ashes covered almost the entire island of Luzon and permanently changed the landscape of Pampanga, Tarlac and Olongapo. Hundreds of millions of dollars in prime properties and infrastructure was likewise ruined.
The crater lake as it looked in 2004.
Source: http://park.org/Philippines/pinatubo/ and http://geography.about.com/od/globalproblemsandissues/a/pinatubo.htm
This week’s Photo Hunt theme is Four. To join the fun or enjoy more entries, please click here.
my adventure odyssey 
I’m sure you had fun with your adventure with 4×4.
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Looks like a wonderful vacaton.
Mine’s up, too
http://sandyben.blogspot.com/
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Oooh… a 4 wheel drive — must have a been a cool ride!
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It’s beautiful! I’d love an adventure like that.
Maybe someday, as my husband has had about all the adventures he needs right now! My photo is up with a reunion of four after he returned from Iraq.
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Now that looks like fun!
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Wow what a wonderful crater lake! A trip with a jeep is always fun.
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Oh my! the crater lake is too beautiful! This is in the Philippines!? Wow!
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WOW!!! What great photos! The only photos I’ve seen on Crater Lake are from the sky. It’s great seeing the ashy “beach.” Amazing.
I moved my Photo Hunters to my new photo blog. Please visit if you can!
http://ilovenewyorktravel.net/photo-hunters-4/
Have a great weekend!
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What a beautiful place! Which method was best though?
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@Liz: I’d go for the combination. It was fun and much easier. 🙂
Thanks!
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Looks like such fun. Reminds me of going with a friend of mine who used to do off-roading.
🙂
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