We climbed an active volcano this weekend called Pacaya, summit elevation 2,552 m (8367 ft). For reference, Guatemala City and Pacaya base camp are both at about 5000 ft. If you come down to visit and are in decent shape, this is a must-do. The most recent major eruption occured in early 2000, a violent explosion with a tephra-bearing plume reaching 8-km altitude. Three lava flows continuined through March 2000. The climb is safe because the activity is relatively predictable and infrequent. Pacaya is only 18 miles south of Guatemala City.
The approach hike takes about 80 minutes with several vistas.
Right before the main cone, there's a basin where people have moved large volcanic rocks to spell words. You can see a few people in the basin here rearranging letters; not exactly an accepted ecotourism practice.
When you emerge into the clearing and see the main debris-avalanche cone for the first time, it seems like a near impossible hike. The camera doesn't really capture it, but the ascent is actually about 40 degrees (pretty steep for inexperienced hikers). The cone is made of loose skeet, and footing is very difficult. It really is 3 steps forward, slide 1 step back, and takes about 40 minutes.
At the top there is a large crater, about 300 feet across. This is us on the rim.
Imagine panning slightly more right, and you can see one of the two main visible vents, this one in the wall of the crater. Both vents are very audibly "breathing" smoke, and the lava creates the red glow in the sulpheric fog.
Pan further right, looking at the center of the crater, and you see the other vent - a smaller cone within the crater. We spent about 30 minutes up top and actually did see one red-hot rock be expelled from the cone, as well as some ash. Not pictured, there are small ground vents surrounding the crater every 20 feet or so. They are a few inches wide and expell little puffs of warm gas that you can feel with your hand. The ground itself is warm.
We took a video of the inner cone breathing, as well as the best part: sliding down the loose skeet - it feels like walking on the moon, really fun. Link:
Pacaya.wmv, 18 sec, 280 KB
Right before the main cone, there's a basin where people have moved large volcanic rocks to spell words. You can see a few people in the basin here rearranging letters; not exactly an accepted ecotourism practice.
When you emerge into the clearing and see the main debris-avalanche cone for the first time, it seems like a near impossible hike. The camera doesn't really capture it, but the ascent is actually about 40 degrees (pretty steep for inexperienced hikers). The cone is made of loose skeet, and footing is very difficult. It really is 3 steps forward, slide 1 step back, and takes about 40 minutes.
At the top there is a large crater, about 300 feet across. This is us on the rim.
Imagine panning slightly more right, and you can see one of the two main visible vents, this one in the wall of the crater. Both vents are very audibly "breathing" smoke, and the lava creates the red glow in the sulpheric fog.
Pan further right, looking at the center of the crater, and you see the other vent - a smaller cone within the crater. We spent about 30 minutes up top and actually did see one red-hot rock be expelled from the cone, as well as some ash. Not pictured, there are small ground vents surrounding the crater every 20 feet or so. They are a few inches wide and expell little puffs of warm gas that you can feel with your hand. The ground itself is warm.
We took a video of the inner cone breathing, as well as the best part: sliding down the loose skeet - it feels like walking on the moon, really fun. Link:
Pacaya.wmv, 18 sec, 280 KB
We've found that Latin American countries have looser standards for nudity in public advertising
Evan and I didn't just cut a rug at the reception (which started at 9 PM and went until 5 AM) - we cut out rug strips and whipped the DJ nasty, tripped the light fantastic, hooved the shuffle bug - dance moves that haven't even been invented yet.
Climb the 444 stairs, and you're rewarded with these views of Guayaquil
United has responded to American's offer, and while not as low as American's $348, now you can get your miles on whichever airline you prefer. Similar terms: Book by October 22, 2004 for travel through February, 28, 2005.
Living Room/Dinning Room - world's most uncomfortable furniture
Guest Room/Junkyard
Master Bedroom
The shared closet. Yes, I have a bit of an addiction. Jeff would like to point out the contrast.
Master Bath
Rebecca's father once asked of my coffee, "Is this for drinking or do you need to clean a crank case?" Which brings me to this morning.
As I sit, I realize that yet another of my employing institutions has replaced the standard TP roll with this stack-of-squares innovation from Kimberly Clark. I noticed this at my client in Washington DC, and now I see it is present even in Guatemala City.
First I'm reminded of the times when the roll was out and I had to reach for the Kleenex. That brings a warm memory because of how soft and... Reality returns: this stuff is as thin as it's cheapest traditional alternative, but pre-divided into 4x8 inch rectangles. What, did you think we'd use just one? Two? Do you really think this is tricking us somehow into using less paper per pilgrimage? It makes me so angry that every time I am forced to use these, I take between 45 and 200 squares before declaring "mission accomplished".
Get up, stand up.. Don't give up the fight. Bankrupt the bathroom budget of any baño that tries to quantize your personal cleanliness. Then forgive my cheeky alliteration.
This is our friend Melissa. She complained that she was not present in our blog. She is embarrased that I posted this picture, but then thankful that I did not post the one where she is giving a large grasshopper a vacant stare.