Acatenango Volcano Hike

4/14-4/15 

Today is volcano day! We started off our day, bright and early on the bus at 5 AM. We then rode over to the O. X. Headquarters in Antigua where we collected our food for the trip! After a yummy, typical Guatemalan breakfast, we were on our way to our starting point at La Solidad. at around 9 AM we were off. The first hour of the trip was the most physically draining. Throughout the trip we traveled through four ecological zones.(farmland, cloud, forest, sub, Alpine zone, and volcanic zone.) After we passed through the farmland, we moved into the cloud forest. The cloud force was a unique zone. Many of us had never experienced. The Erie, humid, lush Moss filled area was a much cooler and easier zone than the farmland. At around 130, still in the cloud forest, we stopped for a much-needed lunch break. During our lunch break, Dan befriended a stray dog whom he named “King Scar.“ he then followed us around the rest of the trip! Finishing off the rest of our first day of hiking, we entered the sub Alpine zone. The sub-Alpine zone was very dry and hot. Luckily, we were traveling mostly flat in this zone. We arrived at our camp at around 3 PM! Upon arriving at our camp, and admiring the beautiful views of Antigua and the volcanoes Fuego and Agua we set up camp. for the rest of the afternoon, we relaxed in the sun, taking the views and getting a little sunburnt. After a delicious dinner of pasta and veggies prepared by our amazing guys, we socialize by the fire. As the darkness set in the volcano, Fuego transformed from its smoke clouds during the day to its glowing magma view in the night. We had a great time of worship around the fire, with our guys pausing briefly to ooh and ahh at the volcano spewing fire into the sky. We all turned in early to prepare for the sunrise summit in the morning.

4/15/24

A 3:30 wake-up made for many groggy lifters. After repairing for the experience ahead, we left Basecamp at 4 AM. We slowly hiked, higher and higher, leaving a base camp elevation of around 11,000 feet. Our guides moved slowly and gave us many breaks to prevent bad altitude sickness. One hour and 40 minutes later, we reached the summit of Acatenango as the sun was coming up! At 13,045 feet and 40% less oxygen than we were all used to. It was a very new experience for all of us! A small group of us completed the crater run ( a 400 m run around the perimeter of the crater of Acetanango. The crater run challenge had to be run in under five minutes without walking or stopping to take a break. Everyone who attempted completed it! After taking some group pictures, and admiring the Beauty of creation, we started the descend back to Basecamp. 

The entire way down to Basecamp was a loose and deep gravel trail and we all had a blast running as sliding down it! Upon arriving at Basecamp at 7:18 AM. We enjoyed a tasty bagel and banana bread meal prepared by our guides. Before leaving Basecamp to head back down to Antigua, we cleaned up camp and collected some trash around camp that had been left by the previous group before us. After a fast descent, we arrived at the parking lot at 10:50 AM. This excursion was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and everyone learned so much about the natural beauty of Guatemala while enjoying it with our brothers and sisters in Christ. On behalf of everyone, I can say we are all exhausted and can’t wait to have a great night. Sleep tonight before a very long travel day tomorrow. 

God bless, Matteo (Tenrick)