Climbing Volcan Acatenango was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life.
We left very early having packed and sorted who was carrying what the night before and all squashed into the pick-up for the steep ride to our drop-off point. I remember the journey being very quiet- a combination of the early hour and nerves I think.
A quick brief from our guide about drinking plenty and taking it steady and we were off.

The climb was gruelling from the word go. We hiked through farmland followed by thick jungle, jumping over logs and dodging low hanging branches.

As this thinned we slowly zigzagged our way above the clouds. It was so beautiful. By this point everyone except the guide was struggling. It had become very hot as the sun grew stronger and I remember being soaked in sweat.

What felt like three days later we stopped for lunch. A quick snooze followed but it was not long before we donned packs and got climbing again. After another few hours of climbing we reached what had looked like the top of the volcano. However, it was not to be; instead we were faced with what our guide humorously called ‘purgatory’. I remember not being the slightest bit amused at the time.

The ashy surface of this final section was very tough; two steps forward would result in one foot slipping back. We finally made it in time for sundown and had a celebratory inch of wine (which had the same effect as a large glass a few thousand feet lower down) right on the peak.

Camping in the crater was one of the most surreal experiences I think I’ve had. A heavy fog came down after we’d all settled and we could hear the rumblings of the adjacent Volcan Fuego (which means fire).

Dawn was just as beautiful (perhaps even more) than sunset. The descent of the volcano was great fun- the slippery surface meant we could run down in giant strides or slalom using our packs as cushions whenever we slipped.

The trip was rounded off with a giant all-you-can-eat meal at a local café. I then went home and slept for a day!