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.

This hike was both challenging and great. Our group set off around 1:00 am under a full moon mostly shrouded in clouds. We drove as close to the base of the volcán Santa Maria as we could get. The trailhead was probably around 2500 m (8200 feet). I had my small blue pack (mochila) with the requested 2 liters of water and food for breakfast. I added 3 more liters for the weight and since I sweat a lot. I also had my wool hat, fleece, overjacket, fingertipless gloves. It took us a little under 4 hrs to make a very steep climb, a total of~4160 vertical ft (about 8200 to the summit at 12,362). It wasn't until the day after that I converted meters into feet and realized it was the highest I have climbed [Ingraham Flats, our high base camp last summer on Rainier was 11,200]  I am glad I remembered my power breathing and rest stepping I was taught last year. [For T2Cers my calorie reading up and down was 6240] The big deal at the top is two-fold: sunrise over Guatemala volcanoes and an erupting volcán Santiaquito. Choose hybrid on map to see volcanos.