unfettered

Yesterday, I accompanied 8 other students on an afternoon excursion to one of the area volcanos. Pacaya. It’s about an hour outside Antigua and one of the easier volcano hikes. There are a couple of others which are much higher (around 13,000 feet) and require a more challenging hike and overnight stay. Compared to those, Pacaya is really a stroll. The weather looked bright and promising all day, until we pulled into the park at the foot of the volcano and it began to pour. We bought those trashbag style rain ponchos, to complement our windbreakers or umbrellas that we already had with us and waited a few minutes to see if the rain would subside. It didn’t stop immediately, but it did taper off and we only had to hike the first few minutes in a light rainfall. Our group was all pretty fit and able to keep a quick pace on the way up. There are a couple of lovely vistas on the way to the top and we took those opportunities to catch our breaths for a moment. The very top of the volcano is not accessible because there was an eruption a few months ago and it’s not stable, so we went up as far as we were allowed.



When we arrived at the highest point it was a field of volcanic rock with steam rising from below. You could hear the lava flowing underneath the rocks we were standing upon and it sounded just like a rushing river. We proceeded a little further and were able to see full streams of lava only a few feet from where we were standing. Our guide had pulled a branch from a tree and we were each able to take a turn poking at the lava to stir it up. It felt like standing in front of an open furnace. (We paid a guy in our group 5Q to pee into the lava, but unfortunately it didn't make for a photo op from where I was standing, otherwise I would definitely post it!)
We lingered as long as we could, until the next group behind us arrived and we turned to make our way back down the mountain, at which point it started to pour again. Since we didn’t need to admire the scenery on the way down, we all ran as a group back down to the bottom. I imagine that’s what bootcamp is like, only their packs are heavier and they aren’t running with an open Revlon umbrella. (btw- that is the best umbrella I’ve ever owned. Everyone was very jealous.) If the situation ever presents itself, I would not recommend trying to run downhill with an open umbrella. It’s rather cumbersome. We all arrived at the bottom in one piece – one sweaty, rain soaked piece, but fully intact as a group none the less. That the best workout I have had since I have been here. It makes me want to do the 2 day climb, but I don’t think I’ll have enough time.

posted by Angie @ 7:30 AM