Pacaya Trek

Pacaya first erupted approximately 23,000 years ago and has erupted at least 23 times since the Spanish invasion of Guatemala.  Elevation 8,373 - In 1965 a violent eruption took place and also in May 2010.  The eruption in 2010 caused ash to rain down in Guatemala City, Antigua & Escuintla.

Sister J & Johanna - owner of the horse.

When we arrived their were several young children trying to get you to buy their stick
for the hike.  Men & horses clamored around the cars getting you to rent
their horses.   The Bowers' had hired a guide before we arrived to save the
hassel.

Group Photo before our trek began.  

Happy Trails  - starting our ride to Pacaya

Elder Bower & Elder Jensen with the guides.   They were making sure
Elder Jensen & horse made it to the top.

Johanna holding on to the tail to get her up the hill.  The guides
make the walk up the hill a couple times a day.   She was in
great shape.  Lots of stamina!!!  Not an easy climb & steep.

Elder Jensen with Elder Bower behind him.  

Sister Jensen getting help from the horse to get up the hill - she
finally let go of the rope because she couldn't keep up.

Lava store located at the top of the hill.  Take crushed lava rock add sliver and you have unique jewelry.   Proceeds  from the sale of the jewelry supports the local school.  

Fifteen minute walk after we left the horses across the volcanic rock  to our destination.
Not as easy as it looks...

E/S J. enjoying the volcanic rocks & trying to stay upright walking across the
rocks to get to our destination.

Our guide - 

Amazed at the heat generated  from the rocks - fabulous marshmallow roasting.
Good thing I remembers the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers.

Dynamic threesome are making the smores for the group.
Elder & Sister Bower & Elder J. 

Finger lickn' good. 

Just like being at girls camp - cooking over the rocks.

E/S J.  enjoying a smore.  Shared our marshmallows with a group from  Europe.
They loved the experience of roasting the marshmallows over the open fire.

3 minutes on each side to cook the pizza.   Two men carry four sheet pans filled with pizza to the top.
They just started this business of selling slices of pizza - Q25 per piece.
 Entrepreneurship at it's finest .

Couldn't resist the pizza - so delicious.

E/S Jensen didn't realize the dog wanted a taste too.

E/S J. enjoying the moment -

Group photo - E. Standage, Jensen's, Johnson's,  Alisha Bower
E/S Bower &  dog...

Loved watching the locals enjoy roasting their marshmallows.
Colorful picture.

The white rock fell from the hillside a couple of weeks ago.

Volcanic Cave

Six months ago you could not enter the cave because of the heat.

E. Johnson

Head em up - move em out!!!

There is a trail but it doesn't look like it.   

Volcanic rock covered the fields below after the eruption.

E. J bought these two young boys a coke when he and Sister Bowers returned to the car.
One coke is hidden under the sweater - when S J. arrived  they're trying to get a second one from me.

Unique front of the community church...
Beautiful day for a horse ride!!!