Vol. Pacaya: crater

After 2 previous trips to climb the Pacaya volcano just outside the city limits of Guatemala, I was finally able to climb all the way to the crater.  When the National Park changed administrations in January they stopped allowing people to climb all the way up to the crater of the active volcano.  But on Sunday I found a hiking group that had gotten permission, so I went with them to summit the 4 smaller peaks of the volcanic complex as well as the actual crater of Pacaya, the currently active vent.

Lava flows

Heading up to the crater summit

Fog and sulfuric gas

The "direct" route down Cerro Chino

Vol. Agua in the distance 

More Volcanoes

Friday morning, Fuego volcano was quite active.  This was the view from my apt around 5:45 am.

On Sunday I did a repeat climb up the Pacaya Volcano, about 30 min outside of the city limits of Guatemala.

Vapor from the rocks on Pacaya

Vol. Fuego erupting again as we're on Pacaya

Perfectly, volcanically toasted marshmellow

Antigua and Volcan Pacaya

After passing through Antigua multiple times to change shuttles and to climb Volcan Agua, I finally got to spend some time there this weekend.  

One of the great things about living in Guatemala is the close proximity to a lot of fun weekend trips.  Sunday morning was a perfect example, we were able to hike Volcan Pacaya in the morning and make it back to the city by mid-day.  Pacaya is an active volcano.  There isn’t any lava flows or smoke (like on near-by Fuego), but there are hot vents and caves and the most recent big eruption was in 2010.

Volcanoes Agua, Acatenango, and Fuego in the distance.