Guatemala - site for a global gathering of SSAC enthusiasts...?
I went to see the possibilities for a possible event that would be affordable for anybody, not give hussles for visas and with plenty of outdoor attractions. Yes - it seemed this is the place. Plenty of Volcanoes, rivers and both oceans touching each side of the country.
1. First site:
Lake Atitlan - San pedro - San pedro volcano. We didn't realize that from the lake altitude to the top of the mountain it was about 1300m. So when we started off at 5 P.M., we were tired and exhaustedly walking in the dark with a flashlight. We did meditation in the full moon and returned. We must have been another hour away from the top.
2. Second site:
Semuc Champey:
Another 6 hours north was a beautiful river which went underneath a huge rock which is called Semuk Champey. There was also a cave which scores of visitors seemed to flood every day.
A great place, but maybe too many tourists. But, after walking around in the mountains, there seems to be some possibilities to do a sizeable adventure.
3. Third site:
Volcan de Agua. I walked maybe 1500m in altitude in 5 hours, not realizing that it might be too late to go back. I was prepared to sleep in the crater, but not with about another 100 people all shouting and lighting firecrackers all night long. In the morning there was no place to even see the sunrise unobstructed. I was happy I had done at least one volcano and needed this preparation for next weeks Iztacihuatl in Mexico...
Before climbing the volcan de Agua near Antigua :
It doesn't look like much, but its 1500m altitude from here... 5 hrs. non stop walking...
Could a mountain bike tour be an option... Yes indeed -- but its rough... These two mexican bikers had to jump on and off their bikes to make it... Covering an elevation of 4-5000 feet. Five times the height of Elk mountain in PA.
The sunrise was the reward for a cold night spent on the top...
Beautiful Lake Atitlan, surrounded by several Volcanoes...
Pointing at Volcan de San Pedro...
Two exhausted climbers with altitude black-out at night...
A garbage dump before the beautiful and therefore costly ($ 12) Park of the San Pedro volcano. The park has multiple garbage bins to help visitors keep the place clean. This garbage however seems to stem from the tourist town of San Pedro. There are very few landfills in Guatemala. Most of the garbage ends up like this...