Recuperating

Thank you, Amy, for the recap on our weekend. I was too worn-out from the two-day trip to contribute yesterday and was instead busy nursing numerous blisters. That hike was probably the second most difficult one I've done due to the intense heat, serious leg muscle cramps, and carrying an extra 30-lbs on my tiny little back. My most difficult hike was two years ago in Guatemala, where I summitted Volcan Santa Maria, whose peak is at 12, 372 feet! Then I was fighting altitude adjustment issues. Likely, though, in both cases the main problem was poor conditioning -- too much arroz y frijoles (rice and beans)! Anyway, climbing Volcan Telica was a pretty unique experience as we ended up camping right next to one of Nicaragua's most active volcano at 3481 feet. Fortunately, there was no grand eruption overnight and we returned more or less in one piece, plus an additional 1-cm thick layer of dirt from head to toe that turned the shower water quite disturbingly dark...

But here are some pictures that made it all worth it, not to mention the wonderful travel companion and memories. ;)

1. An aerial view of Volcan Telica ("borrowed" from http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-04=), last major eruption was in 2004.


2. The very beginning of the trail, with another volcano in the background. (Amy is the one with the large blue backpack.)

3. The boiling mudpots of Hervideros de San Jacinto, a prominent geothermal area along the hike to Volcan Telica.


4. Almost there! Finally, the crater of Volcan Telica is in sight after a long hour stretch of uphill climbing in drenching sweats.

5. Our camp site, shared with another group of hikers.

6. Cindy atop the crater (but not too close to the edge...)


6. Amy atop the crater (also not too close to the edge...)

7. Hikers waiting for a well-deserved beautiful sunset


8. A "Lion King"-esque tree at sunset