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Journey to the Summit This journal records progress to my first goal, a long time desire to learn, converse & dream in Spanish and a 2nd goal continue training in Guatemala for my future summit of Mt. Rainier, Washington.

Hiking to see Santiaquito up closer

GUATEMALA | Saturday, 4 April 2009 | Views [512] | Comments [3]

El mapa showing Santiaquito relative to Xela (Quetzaltenango).

El mapa showing Santiaquito relative to Xela (Quetzaltenango).

I took this hike with QuetzalTrekkers, a great local organization of young volunteers who lead treks to raise money for Escuela de La Calle (http://www.quetzaltrekkers.com/guatprojects.html). After a minibus, a chicken bus, and a picop (pickup) we arrived at the El Viejo Palmar trailhead to begin our hike (http://www.quetzaltrekkers.com/guatsantiaguito.html). I think it was a 9 km hike in with an appromixmate elevation rise from about 4900 ft to 9800 ft--5400 ft.  See the volcanoes Santiaquito and Santa Maria (SA's mama) south of Xela.

Comments

1

If you liked the trek up Santa Maria and this one with Quezaltrekkers you might want to try the hike to the actual crater of Santiaguito. I can highly recommend it - I went and wrote an account and uploaded photos on my blog...

http://journals.worldnomads.com/amil_patel/

The guys who can take you to the crater are the guides from Kaqchikel tours (opposite Blue Angel cafe). The owner is called Don Eduardo and is a really nice guy - tell him you saw my blog and want to go. You´ll have to go in the next couple of weeks as they stop taking people when the rains come down in May. Can recommend it - there´s no walk quite like it in Guatemala - climbing the crater of one of the 10 most active volcanos in the world after it has just erupted is an incomparable experience.

  Amil Patel Apr 18, 2009 7:01 AM

2

Thanks for the tip Amil. I just did the full moon hike up Santa María with Don Eduardo but have not uploaded the photos and told the story yet.

  tom_moench Apr 20, 2009 7:34 AM

3

one of the 10 most active volcanoes? what an adventure!

  audrey Apr 29, 2009 12:18 PM

 

 

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