Close up of the lava flowing - yes we really were close!
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I´ve done some crazy things in my life, but yesterday had to be one of the top 5 craziest things on my list.
About 90 minutes away from Antigua is the active volcano Pacaya and only in Guatemala would they allow you to climb an active volcano complete with lava flowing. Not only are you allowed to climb all over the freshly hardened lava that is still hot but below some of the rocks you step on is the red hot magma that is clearly visible.
Needless to say, between climbing up to 2560 metres (about 7500 feet) on the side of an active volcano, literally feeling the heat of the lava and watching your footing every step of the way was quite the experience. I was with a group of about 14 people and had an excellent guide. Thankfully they do not allow you up the volcano without a guide but there were about 250 people climbing in a very small area and even with a guide, it was definitely harrowing at times as you manouvered your way around people and tried not to fall down the mountain.
At one point, there was the smell of something burning, either someone´s backpack that they was left too long on hot rocks or the soles of someone´s shoes. One young women, stupidly wearing shorts, fell and got cut quite badly on the lava which cuts like knives.
Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you that we started the hike at 4:00 in the afternoon so we did the 2 hour hike up in the light but most of the descent was in the dark. Crazy, I know. The Spanish term “muy loco” (very crazy) took on a whole new meaning last night. I had a flashlight but many didn´t.
I was exhausted but exhilarated at the end of the trip. It was an incredible experience and a grand finale to my time in Guatemala. Just heading out now for the beautiful procession this afternoon for Holy Week before heading to the airport for my flight back to North America tonight.
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