Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
The Volcano climb!
I woke to my alarm at 3am and jumped out of bed and in to the shower, i didn't want to think about what time it was.
We arrived at the car park by 3.30am and started the walk up the volcano in the dead of night! It started as a very gradual incline but already a small group of us were well ahead of the others, so after they caught up the trek leader decided that we would split into a fast group and a slow group! We set off up the mountain once again but this time at an even faster pace!!
As we climbed the path was getting more and more worn out to the point that we would have to climb with our hands at some points. Our guide pushed us past the other tourists as we ascended up through the low level cloud. It was very strange the climb up as we couldn't see anything either side of us.
My heart was beating so fast but we didn't stop for a break, I haven't had a hard workout like this since I was in Sri Lanka trying to climb little Adams peak!
We made excellent progress and reached the lower summit in only 45 Minutes, it normally takes upto 2 hours for some groups! We took a short 5 minute break to remove a stone from my shoe before we pushed on up to the summit. The finally climb was very steep and most of it covered in volcanic black sand, it was very hard going underfoot!
We made the top by 5.20am only an hour and 20 minutes to reach the summit! What an achievement and according to our guide we were his fastest group in 5 years! I love his kind of achievement as it's something that really sticks with you in your mind. I have never really done any sport but my will to win always pushes me on.
There was a big downside to us getting to the top first and that was as we cooled down the buckets of sweat on us cooled and we felt cold.
I had brought my jumper but still it was nippy. Luckily we had a hot ginger tea made for us as we waiting for the sun to rise.
The sun finally started to rise around 6.30am, we were all worried as it was still very misty with clouds but we could see a thin golden bead of light shining from behind. It was a truly beautiful experience watching the sunrise and one I won't forget. I have seen so many amazing sunsets whilst on my trip but only a handful of sunrises usually because I have been partying all night! We had spectacular views over the lake and farms below us as the clouds below parted, I truly felt on top of the world!
We sat for nearly an hour watching the sunrise with a fried egg sandwich in hand and a ginger tea in the other, once we were all finished the guide said he could take us a different way back down as we had been so fast, we headed round the top on the crater.
The path around the top was very thin just enough to place one foot in front of you and then lean into the rocks for support. Both sides of us you had a massive drop of a few hounded meters. We stopped at the top to look at a steam vent, the vents were all over the mountain, it came out from small cracks and holes in the ground. On the way down we stopped and put a bunch of bananas inside one of the vents and ate them! Another strange food I have eaten on this trip!! We climbed down out of the creator as the sun was getting higher and the temperature rising fast, all high on the buzz we had gained from seeing the sun rise!
The volcano climb had to be one of the very best experiences on this trip a truly great moment I will always remember!
- comments