8 volcanos challenged and overcome in Nicaragua
Between 5th and 8th May 2011, 14 volunteers and GVI Phoenix staff, led impressively by Green Pathways, completed 8 volcanos and over 75kms hiking, overcoming blisters, extreme temperatures and urinating insects along the way, to raise funds for our teaching projects in Nicaragua!
Day 1 started early as we drove out to the base of our first volcano, the very active Telica, an incredible experience. From here we hiked Santa Clara though nearing the summit, wild-fires impeded our ascent and we had to turn back and camp near the volcanic mud-pots at San Jacinto.
Day 2, again started early as we claimed Rota, which is actually made up of three smaller volcanoes and then hiked over fields of ash to reach Cerro Negro, where we swapped hiking equipment for sledges and sped down the 45 degree side in most people's first ever "volcano surf"!
Day 3, saw us conquer Pilas, San Francisco and the incredibly perfect circle crater of El Hoyo, before the self-named "Camino B*****do" to Asososca volcanic Lake, where we took a well-earned swim, before camping.
Day 4 ...... Momotombo, oh Momotombo! 8 hours of ash and scree climbing up slopes close to 45 degrees, ropes, howling winds though the summit was worth every step, looking back over the route we had taken the previous few days!
Thankyou everyone who challenged the challenge, to the guides and also to all the people who sponsored and donated; our new school in Chiriza will now be completed, and we can start pushing ahead with new plans for the community and education. See you on the slopes in November, when we do it all again!! cheers
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