apachedino - May 4, 2008 12:31 am Date Climbed: Mar 19, 2008
Lava
Did not make the summit due to activity, but did get to roast marshmellows on lava...until it caught on fire...and then the stick caught on fire...and then my knuckles almost caught on fire. Seriously close to the lava, it actually jumped its banks and a large chunk fell not 3 feet from my friend. Scary.
mmcguigan - Apr 27, 2008 10:25 pm Date Climbed: Mar 11, 2006
Hot - Very Hot
I climbed this volcano six times. Its very easy and there are lots of tourists going up and down but it is still worth the trip. I've never been this close to liquid rock!
Route Climbed: San Francisco de Sales Date Climbed: March 2, 2005
Although we ended up hiking in the rain for most of the trip, and although the top was so cloudy that we couldn't really see anything, I still had a fantastic trip because I proposed to my girlfriend at the top, and she said yes!
It was really surreal being able hear the erupting lava - it sounded like waves crashing on a beach - when we couldn't see anything.
We booked with a tour agent in Antigua, and it cost us about US$7 each for the ride and guide, although we did have to pay a 25 quetzal park entrance fee as well.
Route Climbed: from San Francisco de Sales Date Climbed: January 2004
Great little hike/climb near Antigua, pretty much anyone can handle it... the fun volcanic-dirt-skiing down the cone makes up for the two-steps-forward-one-step-back trudge up through the loose dirt... the sulfuric smell at the edge of the crater is offset by the great views of the surrounding areas... I enjoyed this one very much.
Route Climbed: San Francisco de Sales Date Climbed: ~1979
Probably my earliest mountain summit, at least that I remember. Lots of gases at the top and loose volcanic debris on the cone - hiking staff is a great idea.
Route Climbed: Normal route, to real summit Date Climbed: July 2000
Used to be one of Guatemala's dangerous points due to armed robberies, but now the area is more oganised and protected.
It's a very nice forest walk, ending at the bottom of the ash cone. There is a dusty track all the wayto the summit, but beware of the sulphur smell and the quite dangerous edge of the crater.
Climb at your own risk as the crater rim can collapse any time and the volcano can erupt constantly!
The view is great though and it';s interesting to see red hot lava in the crater
Route Climbed: San Francisco and Cerro Chino Date Climbed: March 2001 and December 2001
It's a nice adventure to watch so close that powerful mountain. Pretty nice walk up from San Francisco, but a little harder form Cerro Chino, after the volcano you can walk 3km to a lagoon nearby.
apachedino - May 4, 2008 12:31 am Date Climbed: Mar 19, 2008
LavaDid not make the summit due to activity, but did get to roast marshmellows on lava...until it caught on fire...and then the stick caught on fire...and then my knuckles almost caught on fire. Seriously close to the lava, it actually jumped its banks and a large chunk fell not 3 feet from my friend. Scary.
mmcguigan - Apr 27, 2008 10:25 pm Date Climbed: Mar 11, 2006
Hot - Very HotI climbed this volcano six times. Its very easy and there are lots of tourists going up and down but it is still worth the trip. I've never been this close to liquid rock!
Fabrice.Rimlinger - Nov 17, 2006 9:49 pm Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2005
GreatPlenty of tourists but still amazing to hold in your hand a piece of rock that is less than 5 minutes old !
Hibs - Mar 12, 2006 6:09 pm Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2005
Yeah, quite cool up thereQuite spectacular, didn't get to see lava tho. Buts yeah, defintly do it when you get to Antigua
ben - Mar 11, 2005 2:16 am
Route Climbed: San Francisco de Sales Date Climbed: March 2, 2005Although we ended up hiking in the rain for most of the trip, and although the top was so cloudy that we couldn't really see anything, I still had a fantastic trip because I proposed to my girlfriend at the top, and she said yes!
It was really surreal being able hear the erupting lava - it sounded like waves crashing on a beach - when we couldn't see anything.
We booked with a tour agent in Antigua, and it cost us about US$7 each for the ride and guide, although we did have to pay a 25 quetzal park entrance fee as well.
oneoftheluckyones - Aug 16, 2004 5:05 pm
Route Climbed: from San Francisco de Sales Date Climbed: January 2004Great little hike/climb near Antigua, pretty much anyone can handle it... the fun volcanic-dirt-skiing down the cone makes up for the two-steps-forward-one-step-back trudge up through the loose dirt... the sulfuric smell at the edge of the crater is offset by the great views of the surrounding areas... I enjoyed this one very much.
flechenbones - Jul 20, 2004 2:56 pm
Route Climbed: San Francisco de Sales Date Climbed: ~1979Probably my earliest mountain summit, at least that I remember. Lots of gases at the top and loose volcanic debris on the cone - hiking staff is a great idea.
7summits - Jun 14, 2002 5:27 am
Route Climbed: Normal route, to real summit Date Climbed: July 2000Used to be one of Guatemala's dangerous points due to armed robberies, but now the area is more oganised and protected.
It's a very nice forest walk, ending at the bottom of the ash cone. There is a dusty track all the wayto the summit, but beware of the sulphur smell and the quite dangerous edge of the crater.
Climb at your own risk as the crater rim can collapse any time and the volcano can erupt constantly!
The view is great though and it';s interesting to see red hot lava in the crater
Harry
Joaff - Apr 2, 2001 10:13 am
Route Climbed: San Francisco and Cerro Chino Date Climbed: March 2001 and December 2001It's a nice adventure to watch so close that powerful mountain. Pretty nice walk up from San Francisco, but a little harder form Cerro Chino, after the volcano you can walk 3km to a lagoon nearby.