Volcano Chikabal

Another day.  Another volcano.  Another summit.  Camping at the crater lake of Volcano Chikabal.  A sacred lake at that.  If you take a walk around it, you'll see signs every 10 meters saying 'respect the Mayan altar' then might stumble upon grave sites with lit candles or flowers in the water.

We swam.  Saw shooting stars.  Ate salami/avocado fire roasted sandwiches.  Woke up at 5am.  Hiked the 600 stairs to the mirador to see Volcano Santiaguito erupting during sunrise.  Hiked back down the 600 stairs to see a Mayan family midway through a spiritual ceremony right next to the tent.  PERFECT, we slept in a holy place.

Quietly packed up, as I walked by them again, the main woman that had been chanting, singing and throwing things into their fire turns to me, says 'Bye Bye' smiles then continues to throw things into the fire.  I can't help but smile back.  Then look up, see a sign that says ' NO SWIMMING,' ut oh!  Slept in holy place, swam in holy water.  Wonder if this will bring me luck?

Hike back up the 600 stairs to see the volcano erupt again.  Then back to the road, bused back and now in Xela.

Legs hurt.  8 days.  4 volcanoes.  3 summits.  And a whole lot of awesomeness packed in there!  Love Guatemala.

Santa Maria's summit!

The sweet sweet sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet taste of accomplishment!

 

(key to summiting Santa Maria is turning left at these bushes, who would've know!)

After failed attmept number one of summiting Volcano Santa Maria.  Julie and I went back again, this time with two other comrades.  Left Xela at 1:45am.  Started hiking: 2:00 am.  Summited:  5:40am.  Shooting starts.  Volcano eruptions. 

 (Volcano Santiaguito erupting)

Mayan rituals.  Finally finding our way=best feeling EVER! 

Not to mention knowing that we didn't have to climb up anymore, that my friends was a great relief.   The legs were burrrrrning.

 

(biggest shadow known to me)

 

(Volcano Fuego erupting, it's near Antigua)

There were 25 or so Guatemalan's that had camped up on the summit under tarps, 2 feet off the ground.  I think this must have held the heat because otherwise I'm sure they would have froze.  While we were up there they formed a circle around what I'd call a priest, started singing, chanting and praying.  Quite the experience.

Before all of this started, one woman had sat next to me.  Shared my sandwich and my drink, I've yet to encounter a Central American that'll turn you down offering anything.

Hiking the Santa Maria Volcano

Look for the signs.

That's what they told us.  The advice for a volcano hike.  These signs didn't have a billboard appearance or even exist physically.  But I'll call them signs:

1.  Taxi cab driver doesn't know where trail entrance is.  One a.m. in the morning and he picks up a random bicycler to locate unknown trail.

2.  Night full moon hike.  How are we supposed to see signs.  "if there's a 'no' written on a rock, its the wrong way"  Really?  Also, what does a smiley face mean painted on a rock?

3.  Four of us in total.  After 30 minutes into the supposed 4 hour hike, only my headlamp is working.

4.  No more trail. We're looking for footprints or signs of humans.  We decided to take a locals trail......trusting Guatemalan trails.  Fail.  Yes, lost on an active volcano, check that as a new one!

5.  Trails ends.  We decide that its a good idea to push through the jungle vines, wild, untouched trees/chaotic growth that is almost unimaginable for hours.  It always felt like we were almost out or near the summit.  Even after climbing a tree 10-15 feet, we still can't see relief.

So, with our guesstimate of 150 meters to go.  We turn back, cutting our losses.  Track our own trail back and call it a day.  Missed sunrise.  Missed the eruption of Santiaguito.   Annnnnnndddd might go back tonight.

Need sleep.  This traveling thing is intense.

Tips/directions to all of those who'd like to actually summit this 12, 375 ft volcano:
-maybe take your hike through Quetzaltrekkers
-if you want the adventure as well, get dropped off at the tienda in Llano de Pinal (taxi no more than 20Q/person)
--from there, hike up the rocky path.
--when you see a line of 30 or so spiky trees, take the forked road LEFT
--then a sign about Santa Maria shall appear.
--not too long after take a Right, on the left side of the garbage can along the path.
--This is what I'm told.  I'm not saying you'll reach summit, but these directions were given to me after attempt number 1!

Buenas suerte!