Volcanoes!!!

 During December and January we had the opportunity to climb 3 different volcanoes and we have the pictures here to prove it. This first picture is of the hike to Pacaya. For those of you who are current in Guatemalan news, this is the one that erupted in May, killing one reporter, shaking the country and sending ash all over Guatemala City, canceling school and closing roads. The picture above is when we began to cross the lava rock strewn debris fields before coming right up underneath the main cone of the volcano.

 Here we are on top...we got there right at sunset. In the background you can see 3 other Volcanoes; Agua, Acatenango and Fuego. Pacaya, Fuego and Santiaquito are the only 3 active volcanos in Guatemala and we have now seen them all.

 There were some holes where you could look inside and see the fiery core and lava. After looking in this one I thought my face was going to melt off.

 Here Lizzy is standing inside of a "natural sauna" within the volcano. We were only in there for a few seconds, just long enough to take the picture since it was around 140 degrees and very uncomfortable.

 There she is as seen from outside.

 This is the 2nd highest Volcano in Guatemala. It borders Mexico and is named Tacana. This was our view as we started our hike up the tallest volcano in Central America, Tajamulco (4220 meters)

 The top of the volcano can be seen near the top right of the photo. This was just the beginning of the hike.

 Some minor scrambling was required.

 Then the clouds rolled in.

 Here we are nearing the top and exhausted.

 The final stretch was very steap and rocky.

 When we arrived at the top there were some 50 mayan men and women coming down in flip flops and sandals, carrying babies on their backs...just when we were starting to feel like hot stuff we were reminded who the truly hardy people in this country really are.

 We made it to the top and this is a view into the dormant crater.

It was a pretty sweet hike...one we won't be repeating anytime soon.