Volcan Tajamulco

Last weekend I packed my backpack, put my boots on and hit the trail for the first time in...well, longer than I would have liked. As such, it was wonderful to be out in the woods again, sleeping in a tent and cooking over a fire. After four hours and three buses we were dropped off at the base of a dirt road in a small town in the highlands.

At the end of that road is Volcan Tajamulco, the tallest in Central America at 13, 853. 

Starting at 10,000 feet we climbed for four hours, covering what we estimated as around four miles. The trail was beautiful, passing through fields and sparse pine forests. 

Lunch time and we bundled up. Clouds rolled in and it got chilly in a hurry. 

I couldn't resist a self-portrait on an old fallen tree on a quick break. 

As we climbed we became surrounded by clouds. At this spot we got small breaks of blue sky and views that showed us how high we were. 

Beautiful alpine landscapes with pine trees and flowers.

At one point we encountered an area where all the trees were long dead, stripped of bark and bleaching in the altitudinal sun. Against the fog it made for a beautiful and eery scene. 

We arrived at a crowded campground, full of large groups of Guatemalans. We found a spot to put up our tents and went in search of fire wood. Nic and I had to put our tent away from our own group and very near another group. We ate dinner and, knowing we had to get up at 4 a.m., headed to the sleeping bags around 9. The party next to us kept us up until around 11:30; drinking, playing loud music, yes, even yelling. We finally fell asleep only to be woken again at 2 a.m. by another party arriving! The fire was lit again, music was put on and the drinks were brought out. We could not believe how inconsiderate they were and it made us very grateful for quiet hours and mutual consideration at camping grounds in the U.S. 

So, with very little sleep we rose at 4 a.m. to find a heavy layer of frost inside our tent. We were up and on the trail to the summit. Nic's GPS said that we were camped at 13,100 feet, the highest I have ever camped. On the hour hike to the summit I really felt the elevation, getting dizzy and having to stop about every 20 feet for a rest. 

Worth all the effort, however! We summited Volcan Tajamulco in time to see the sunrise over distant volcanoes, one of which was spurting ash. 

High on a mountain top. 

To the north is another volcano, Volcan Tacaná. The shadow behind it is actually from Tajamulco, and it stretches into Mexcio.

After arriving back in camp and having a breakfast of last night's quesadillas (brilliant idea, Charlotte) we packed up and headed down. This time we had a view of the area on a beautiful sunny morning. 

A stand of dead trees with a clear blue backdrop.

The trail, following a ridge and giving us a wonderful view of the terrain around us. After the nearly 4k foot decent, we immediately boarded a bus (in this rural area who knows when the next one would pass) bound for San Marcos, an hour plus away. Once there, it was another hour and a half to Xela, where we could walk around and get a meal.  Another hour from there and I was home, bucket bathing and sleeping in a warm bed. In the whole day, however, not once did I stretch and man am I wishing I would have! For the last two days I've been walking like a 90 year old, barley able to bend my legs to get outa bed in the morning! Lesson learned, the hard way.