Volcano

During Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Nicaragua most people go to the beach to refresh themselves in the overwhelming heat. To the confusion of many Nicaraguans who generally do not hike or climb mountains for fun, Josh (my housemate) and I decided to climb Volcan Momotombo during our spring vacation. Momotombo rises up about 5,000 feet, making it the third (?) highest volcano in the country (there are quite a few). It can be seen in the distance from many parts of Managua and has a very dominating and menacing aura surrounding it. But now this volcano has been dominated by the Jesuit Volunteers of Nicaragua. Below are pictures taken by Josh and I during our two-day trip to the top. Enjoy.



A view of Volcan Momotombo from Puerto Momotombo, three or four miles from the base. From here we hitch-hiked on a truck of farmers passing by, and then with an Italian man who happened to be a big shot in the Nicaraguan electricity business. He sweet talked the guards at the geothermic plant at the base of Momotombo (which we think he was in charge of) to let us in to climb the volcano. We then had to pay the guards for a 'guide' up the mountain (there was no actual guide).


We hiked from the geothermic plant at the base for about two hours until sunset where we set up camp, near the treeline. The wind picked up after sunset, and by midnight the poles of our tent had snapped in the wind. So we slept in a collapsed tent.


We packed up and left most of our stuff at 'base camp' and started hiking first thing in the morning before it got too hot. The sun came up right on the other side of the peak.


Making my way through the black sand, about an hour after we started hiking in the morning. Frequent stops were made to enjoy the view.


The views of northwestern Nicaragua were stunning...also note the ridiculous incline of the side of the volcano.


Josh contemplating strategy as we slowly approach the top. About 1 hour from the top.


This is what Josh was looking at in the previous picture.


Josh resting. The ground on which we were climbing was very steep and made up of loose rock and sand, making the hike very difficult and slippery. The wind was also out of control.


We took a long rest at what appeared to be the last solid rock for a while that we could stop at. I was mildly concerned for our safety past this point with the wind and steep drop off to the right. From this point on we were scrambling on all fours.



Josh and I at the 'last' resting point. About a half hour from the top.


The crater of the volcano at the top.


Me, exhausted at the crater, and fearful of slipping and sliding down the volcano.


Back home, dirty and tired. We had hitch-hiked from the Volcano all the way to a town about an hour out of Managua and then took a bus back in. Given the amazing success we had with hitch-hiking, timing the busses just right, and not getting lost or injured or too tired to climb, Josh and I firmly believe that the entire universe conspired to help us achieve our goal of dominating Volcan Momotombo.