Guatemala Pictures

This is the inside of a hollow and sick tree at Acatenango Volcano.

While this picture says nothing to the average people, it says a lot and brings back many memories to all of us who have climbed this volcano, Acatenango, the third highest peak in Guatemala (almost 4,000 mts above sea level).

This old tree used to mean that you had a long way to go… (while going up) and the sweet “you are almost there” when you come back.

Very often, while waiting for the others to reach us, we used to take out our backpacks and wait laying there. Other times, like this one, we used to get inside, look up and take some pictures.

The tree is no longer there. Last time I saw it was in 2,006 and got me kinda sad as slowly, while constantly climbing volcanoes (and this in particular) you start seeing the world changing around you, reminding you that things disappear, die and some other new things appear on the landscape.

To me, it meant “I’m now an old climber” as I have seen many things here that others will never see, because all those things are gone.

Wanna climb Acatenango?

Train some… please. Its about 8 hours for newbies. 6 hours for the average and 3 and a half+ for the experienced and trained. The best route is “Hunters” (Cazadores) but take the easy one so you won’t get lost. Ask in Antigua Guatemala for tours and don’t forget to invite a friend or two.