Night hike, campfire, camping, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

We were promised a unique adventure for 40 euros, a two-day tour to an active volcano, including three meals. A bargain experience trip!! Other providers charged twice as much. Andy and I were quite excited beforehand, wondering what we should pack for the mountain hike at 2,500 to 3,500 meters altitude. We had attentively listened to the endless travel reports of other adventurers.

My packing list included warm socks, spare clothes, shoes with grip, a long pants (which thankfully stayed in my backpack), two sweaters, three liters of water, snacks, and two cans of beer. We could borrow flashlights, and the travel provider provided a weather jacket, gloves, and a hat. Around 11 am, our small hiking group of six Europeans and two Americans set off. Steffen from Hamburg was the youngest at 23 years old, and I was the second oldest. Our hiking guide was 22 years old and only spoke Spanish.

The ascent to the base camp took about four hours and revealed the first signs of wear and tear among the group participants, partly due to the rocky and slippery ground or the thin air, steep climbs, or the unaccustomed exertion. We set up our camp on the inactive volcano Acatenango above the clouds around 4 pm.

All travel providers offered a semi-legal additional trek to a plateau of the active volcano Fuego for especially ambitious hikers. Another 45 minutes of descent and then another 45 minutes uphill, followed by the same route back in the dark. As I said, it was ambitious.

Our group had recovered and energized to the point where all participants felt up to the challenge. What followed was a forced march with incredible impressions of the sunset above the clouds, a full moon, an endlessly seeming ascent where some of the group fell hopelessly behind, icy winds, and the lava eruption seemingly within reach. Then came the return journey, despite tears, dust, occasional breathing difficulties, and the general exhaustion of some individuals, the group held together, and we reached our camp around 9:30 pm.

Our campsite offered a fantastic view of Fuego, which reached its peak during the night. Roaring, rumbling, fire fountains... like a mythical dragon in the mountain.

It became clear why around 1:15 am: seismic activity and plate tectonics. Someone shook my bed, what the...? We learned the next day that an earthquake measuring 6.2 had hit southwestern Guatemala. At night, however, our thoughts oscillated between fascination and restrained panic. Was our tent safe? Rockfalls, landslides? Nothing! Apart from a few "gentle" aftershocks, the night passed calmly.

While the rest of the group crawled out of their sleeping bags freezing, I woke up warm and well-rested. The principle of "less clothing in the sleeping bag reflects body heat better" had once again proven itself. Years of festival experience.

Eager to share our experiences and exchange pictures, we descended from the mountain, as if returning from a school trip.