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jdk610 Member
Joined: 21 Aug 2012 Posts: 330 | TRs | Pics
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jdk610
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Mon Jan 16, 2017 9:43 pm
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On Dec 29, I hiked up Volcan Acatenango, just outside out Antigua, Guatemala. I asked around, and the general consensus was that hiking solo, especially as a woman, was not recommended. For this trip I went with OX Expeditions, which was a fine tour company, but Old Town Outfitters (the company that took us up Pacaya) remains my favorite. Regardless, it was a fun day, and I surprised myself by having a great time hiking with a relatively large group of approx 10 people.
My Suunto watch says it was 8 miles round trip and 6100 ft of elevation gain – a stout hike for sure, especially since we started at an altitude of 7000 ft and ascended to just over 13,000 ft. While Acatenango is definitely not family-friendly like Pacaya, it is certainly achievable as a day hike if you’re willing to do a bit of slogging and have a little Type 2 fun.
The first mile of the hike is through corn fields. The summit of Acatenango is still out of sight, but it’s possible to catch glimpses of Atitlan (shown here). Paintbrush and toilet paper – both commonly seen in the high alpine of Acatenango. We brought down 3 garbage bags full of trash, and didn’t even put a dent in things. Fog rolling in and out Misty rainbow Taking a break at the saddle just before the summit Summit push Volcan Agua, tucked in by clouds Last stretch of trail before the top Approaching the summit crater Warming our hands in volcanic vents Lunch in front of Volcan Fuego Pastoral views Fuego letting off a little steam Descending through the cloud forest
https://evergreenendurance.com/2017/01/16/volcan-acatenango/
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FiresideChats Member
Joined: 20 Jan 2014 Posts: 365 | TRs | Pics Location: San Juan Islands |
I especially liked the first pic on the link.
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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7220 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
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Tue Jan 17, 2017 7:36 pm
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We were just in Antigua a few days ago and I spent a lot of time looking at Acatenango, Fuego and Agua. Unfortunately, our schedule didn't allow time to climb any of them. Hopefully later this trip we'll get up Tajamulco, and if so, I'll report on that.
But the fun thing we experienced was a minor eruption of Fuego visible from our roof top restaurant while we were enjoying mojitos. For the locals this was no big deal, but a highlight for us. The photo isn't great, but it was dramatic in real life as lava flowed down the side. Acatenango is the double peak on the right side.
Fuego eruption
Tragically, six people just died of hypothermia on Acatenango. The story as I heard it was that a group was being led by a person that had been up many times. I don't think they planned on camping up high (many do), and the weather closed in and they got disoriented and could not find the trail down. One member of the group headed off on her own and they said "you'll get lost and die if you leave" (paraphrase, not a quote), but she was the only one that survived.
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jdk610 Member
Joined: 21 Aug 2012 Posts: 330 | TRs | Pics
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jdk610
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Tue Jan 17, 2017 8:42 pm
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Wow, that's the first I'd heard about the deaths on Acatenango. Very sad.
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Snowdog Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 1028 | TRs | Pics Location: on (& off) the beaten path |
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Snowdog
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Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:19 am
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puzzlr wrote: | Fuego eruption |
Monty! That is WAY cool Enjoy your trip!
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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