Volcan Pacaya
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Our second full day in Antigua we decided to climb Volcan Pacaya.  Although Antigua is surrounded by volcanoes, this is the only active one nearby.   While there was not any lava to be seen, there was plenty of sulfuric steam venting from the earth, hot rocks and many magnificent views.  And while our guide assured us that it was safe, we admit it was rather scary to be at the crater of an active volcano which erupted three times this last year.  Indeed, much of the volcanic rock at the base of the volcano, from the most recent eruption, was still steaming.  Another mild element of concern was security.  In years past, bandits have robbed and even killed tourists on the volcano.  However, more recently, this has improved dramatically and, in addition, our climb included "security" consisting of two men with radios and machetes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first thrill of the day came when the bus driver told us we could climb up and ride on top of the bus.  For the last twenty minutes of our ride, as we drove up the steep mountain, rounding sharp corners, we held on tightly, ducking the occasional tree limb.

 

Our hike began in the small town of San Francisco at the base of the volcano.  After an hour and a half, we came upon a large plateau that afforded us our first good look at the volcano an the lava fields below it.

 

 

 

 

 

A warning sign cautions us that from this point forward we could be exposed to harmful gases and falling rocks.  The sign was correct as we encountered a little of both. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we near the top, hot steam and sulfuric gas was continuously venting up from the earth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the top of the volcano, we had an eerie view of the crater, that was obscured from time to time by the steaming gas escaping from the earth.  We did not spend much time up at the top due the gas and our fear that the volcano could erupt at any second.

 

 

 

Several of the other hikers wore mini gas masks as they neared the top.  Our $8 tour did not include these as you can see by Kelly's grimace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After reaching the top of the volcano, we went down into the crater.  As we hiked down, we would periodically walk upon a section of rocks that were very hot to the touch.  At other times we would walk through sections that were venting so much hot steam that it was like walking through a sauna.  The white smoke behind us is not clouds, but rather the steaming gas from the volcano.  

 

 

 

 

Here is a look into the crater of Volcan Pacaya.

 

 

 

 

After a great time in Antigua and climbing up the volcano, we traveled on to Lake Atitlán.

 

 

 

 

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