My next rendez-vous with the El Salvadorian police was in San Miguel. This time my plan was to climb Volcán de San Miguel and camp at the summit to ensure a full panoramic view without cloud obstruction. After dropping my bike at La Placita police station (that sits in the saddle between Chinameca volcán and…
I headed to Zacatecoluca from El Tunco unsure exactly how I would climb San Vincente volcano (2182 metres). I knew it was possible from the north side but since I was approaching from the south I was looking for an alternate route. Google maps shows a road leading north from Zacatecoluca that passes to the…
The first time I climbed Volcán Santa Ana it was cloudy. Unsurprisingly, actually, since the official guided tours leave at 11am.  In fact, if you had to pick a time that it was most cloudy in the rainy season, 11am would be it. Since half the experience of climbing these volcanoes is the epic view…
My route through El Salvador has been somewhat wiggly not wanting to miss out on any of the phenomenal volcanic landscapes. Descending down from El Impossible National Park, jarring my arms on the ‘cobble-boulders’ was one of mixed emotions, excited to visit new places but sad to leave the new friends I’d made. The knowledge…
Some pictures of my trip up these volcanoes with Jo. Pretty awesome on Acatenango whose summit overlooks an active volcano (Fuego) and has spectacular views of volcán de Agua, Antigua and the volcanoes that surround Lago Atitlán. We caught a taxi at around 3.30am via Parramos to the base in pueblito La Soledad under an…
After my overextended stay in Guatemala, it has been nothing short of awesome to be back on the bike again. Significant improvements in my Spanish after studying for a few weeks have really helped with interactions with the locals and it’s been a joy to have more than half comprehensible conversations. My first day plan…
The proximity of Volcán de Agua (3,760m) to Antigua and its impressive prominence in comparison to the surrounding landscape make it a particularly appealing volcano to climb.  It towers substantially above the old capital of Guatemala and one is reminded of its huge mass from anywhere in the city; it epitomises my idea of a…
My time in Guatemala has been extended yet again but perhaps not for quite the right reasons; contaminated food, dengue fever and processing time for my visa extension have delayed me several weeks. Not that I mind being in Antigua, I’m staying in an awesome place called Hotel Casa Luna  whose owner, Mario, has been…
This is really an informative post about climbing Volcán Atitlán, since most people assume it’s not really possible.  Although quite a tough hike and despite what people and agencies will tell you in San Pedro, guides do exist and from what I could see, it seemed relatively safe.  (Although this is only based on my experience…
During my time in Guatemala I’ve somehow managed to climb 8 or 9 volcanoes without really meaning to. Â Each time I have found out about another one it has been hard to resist the temptation…so I think to myself, OK just one more… Â My obsession started in Quetzaltenango: Volcan Tajumulco (the highest peak in Central…