Quetzaltrekkers is a super rad non-prof organization in Nicaragua (and Guatemala) that lead hikes to area volcanoes and attractions. It's all volunteer run, so hike costs pay for essential food and water, and the rest of it goes to local organizations that help street kids (food, education, etc.) A huge perk is that the guides are experienced, passionate travelers that have settled in for a few months to help. And it's cheap: 36+ hours of hiking = $45/ person, everything included.
Our two guides were Austrian, one a former 5 year Army vet & a former UN security soldier between Syria & Lebanon (read: hard-core hiker) and the other a nature loving student in Nicaragua for 6 months.
Here's an itinerary overview:
- Meet at 4 am pack stuff, eat, and ride old school bus into middle of no-where.
- Hike through sand & rocks into the crater of an active volcano (Cerro Negro) - the rocks just beyond the smoke are the ones that crashed down while we were there, after that we were eager to ska-doodle on
- Run & jump down the lava rocks
- Then hike up a trail so steep you almost need suction cups to hold on, that passed between the base of two sister volcanoes (Las Pilas, the 2 on the right) & pass an old volcano crater (left)
- Pass an old volcano's hole (El Hoyo) on a almost all rock trail and by another hole steaming nearby
- Machete a campsite for the night & set-up tents
- Enjoy the night time scenery (Kyle's proud lighting photo - not an easy shot to get) & get some shut-eye
- Day 2: Wake at sunrise and head down the volcano into another National Park around the volcano and to a crater lake (shown right, in the distance, Asososca Volcano & Lake)
- Bask in refreshing crater lake goodness - shown sore but smiling
- Drink a celebratory Coca Cola - always in glass bottles down here
If you want to see the itinerary from a Google Map, check it out by clicking here: Quetzaltrekker 2-day hike.
To say the least, the whole thing was eXtreme. Quite possibly one of the most eXtreme things I've ever done in my life.
Other Hairy Details
So the hairy details left out are that all 7 of us ended up getting sick from something we ate on the hike, and it come out during the night one way or another. It was a rough night sleeping, and made the next day that much more dehydrating and well, poopy.
The two packs we carried weighed at least 25 pounds each, I say closer to 30, but Kyle disagrees. All I know is that 1 gallon of water = 8.34 pounds, and we started carrying almost 2 gallons. Carry those up and over a few mountains = one word. Tired.
We also came to the point of smelling that gnats were constantly around us. They'd buzz in our ears, and in general hang around us all the time. Think Pigpen from Peanuts, the dirty character with dirt just floating around us. We got on a crowded old Blue Bird school bus to ride back into town, and I felt so bad for the people around us. Our stench at least had those good bus breezes to take it away.
Coolness.
A huge highlight was the people with us. We met a number of cool travelers. A guy from Gibraltar (attached to southern Spain) in med school working at a Nicaraguan hospital, 2 french agriculture students spending a few months in Managua, an Austrian who took a 6 months leave from work to continue grad classes and learn spanish, and another Austrian who left home to travel a year with his girlfriend, and it's been 1 year 9 months, from Argentina up so far, and they're continuing their path up to Canada (their blog, with english link). To say the least they were great conversation.
The End?
Despite the exhaustion and blisters developing, we craved more. Details of our next hike to come. Oh, and this hike left me more than desiring to stay in Nicaragua longer and soak in it's goodness. So far, I just can't get enough.
So the hairy details left out are that all 7 of us ended up getting sick from something we ate on the hike, and it come out during the night one way or another. It was a rough night sleeping, and made the next day that much more dehydrating and well, poopy.
The two packs we carried weighed at least 25 pounds each, I say closer to 30, but Kyle disagrees. All I know is that 1 gallon of water = 8.34 pounds, and we started carrying almost 2 gallons. Carry those up and over a few mountains = one word. Tired.
We also came to the point of smelling that gnats were constantly around us. They'd buzz in our ears, and in general hang around us all the time. Think Pigpen from Peanuts, the dirty character with dirt just floating around us. We got on a crowded old Blue Bird school bus to ride back into town, and I felt so bad for the people around us. Our stench at least had those good bus breezes to take it away.
Coolness.
A huge highlight was the people with us. We met a number of cool travelers. A guy from Gibraltar (attached to southern Spain) in med school working at a Nicaraguan hospital, 2 french agriculture students spending a few months in Managua, an Austrian who took a 6 months leave from work to continue grad classes and learn spanish, and another Austrian who left home to travel a year with his girlfriend, and it's been 1 year 9 months, from Argentina up so far, and they're continuing their path up to Canada (their blog, with english link). To say the least they were great conversation.
The End?
Despite the exhaustion and blisters developing, we craved more. Details of our next hike to come. Oh, and this hike left me more than desiring to stay in Nicaragua longer and soak in it's goodness. So far, I just can't get enough.
We're silly and adventurous, computer geeks and yoga peeps.
September 17, 2008
DADDIO
September 17, 2008
Kyle
September 18, 2008
Bessie
And yes, I was pretty scared about coming across a rattlesnake in the rocks and grasses, but the machete slinging guide was scarying them off. Also, I stared at the ground 90% of the time, so I definitely would have seen it, if it wasn't in the tree above us!
Ditto what Kyle said, the machetes are SUPER fun! I'm glad we capture all the eXtreme-ness of the adventure in the video. In the hardest moments of hiking neither of us had the strength to pull out the camera, but they would have been great to capture.
September 18, 2008
dad
September 18, 2008
Bessie
Yeah, you pieced it together, that the couple we met has spent nearly two years doing the journey we have in front of us - they really stretched it out though. As for them, they have until May, less than 8 months, to make what has taken us 8 months, AND, they are going through the west coast of US and to Vancouver... So they're 2nd half will quicker than what we did it in.
September 18, 2008
Kristine
September 18, 2008
Bessie
This place will get a lot of tourism industry in the future. It's starting to grow, and you can get a book about retiring in Nicargua, which we've seen a number of transplanted Baby Boomers around enjoying $.85 beers and delicious $4 meals.
September 18, 2008
mumsie
Such tales you two will have to tell your kids and grandkids! Picture ME showing a 40 yr. old video to Russell & Eliza! - Years down the line, it'll be YOUR turn! THIS was your grammy....running down the volcano...and now you hear grandpa's voice and you can see him emptying his shoe... You get the picture. LOL) Okay -- I'll say it: I AM SO DANG IMPRESSED WITH THIS POST AND THE TWO OF YOU! Keep on keeping on! And THANKS for the great time!
September 18, 2008
Bessie
We'll definitely look back proudly someday, when our grandkids will be like, "Websites, that's like so super old.........."
September 18, 2008
Linda
September 18, 2008
selena
so anyway, like i said, i dont remember what i just read. i do remember thinking it was cool though. and that i now want a glass of water. that's the best i can do. i'm too focused on me NOT getting a lightning picture and kyle did. son of a b.....
September 19, 2008
Bessie
September 19, 2008
selena
September 20, 2008
selena
September 21, 2008
Bessie
September 20, 2008
auntie donna