Monthly Archives: November 2015

A long hike up Volcan Conception

Tuesday December 1, 2015, 10 miles (16 km) – Total so far: 13,183 miles (21,216 km)

This is post number 2 for the day. To read the first post click on “Isla de Ometepe” at the bottom of this post.

We were up early at 5:30 and met another couple that would hike with us. A taxi picked us up at 6 as on Sundays the chicken bus doesn’t run. At 6:30 we met our guide at the base of the volcano and began our climb. The first hour was fairly easy then the “fun” began as the jungle closed in and the climb became very vertical and increasingly steep. It rains quite a bit here and the surrounding jungle growth gave us a muddy sliding path. 5 hours later we were at the intersection of the descending path. Our guide had repeatedly told us that no matter where we were at 12:30 we must begin our descent so we don’t get stuck on the volcano at dark. It was 11:30 and we were told that at our pace it would take another 2 hours to summit. The guide along with me and Will headed out but I soon dropped out as the route required climbing larger boulders and steep mud slides. I didn’t want to fall and get hurt so I met Jocelyn and Kirin back at the intersection. Our guide said we hiked 80% to the summit and that was fine with us. At 12:30 the guide and Will met us as they had made the summit. We were told that it is about 50/50 for summiting the 1,610 meters as towards the top is vertical climbing rocks. As it was we made it to the road shortly before dark. It was a very satisfying 10 hour hike through jungle, old lava streams, large rocks, mud, beautiful jungle growth, lots of very pretty butterflies, lizards that we have never seen, some kind of mountain rat and of course monkeys. The male monkeys did not like us walking under their families and let us know with their growling. Back at the hostel we cleaned up and enjoyed a few beers with new friends before our long deep sleep.

This afternoon we cycled a few miles north to Altagracia and decided we were too sore and found a decent hotel to take a break in.

Little Morgan's Hostel has really cool wood buildings with interesting furniture and stairwells.
Little Morgan’s Hostel has really cool wood buildings with interesting furniture and stairwells.
Volcan Concepcion near sunset from a 3 story treehouse.
Volcan Concepcion near sunset from a 3 story treehouse.
A fine view from this three story treehouse.
A fine view from this three story treehouse.
One of the hostel's dorms.
One of the hostel’s dorms.

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The start of our Volcan Concepcion hike.
The start of our Volcan Concepcion hike.

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The going gets tough with full on lunging through the jungle's steeps path.
The going gets tough with full on lunging through the jungle’s steeps path.

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A pretty moth.
A pretty moth.

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A view of Volcan Maderas.
A view of Volcan Maderas.
Our fellow climbers Kirin and Will.
Our fellow climbers Kirin and Will.

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Lots of times we crawled on our hands and feet.
Lots of times we crawled on our hands and feet.

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We didn't summit but was within 2 hours of it. At 12:30 it was time to turn around and descend before dark. We climbed 80% of the volcano.
We didn’t summit but was within 2 hours of it. At 12:30 it was time to turn around and descend before dark. We climbed 80% of the volcano.

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We "surfed" down part way on our butt and feet through a recent lava flow of sand and rock.
We “surfed” down part way on our butt and feet through a recent lava flow of sand and rock.
We are having fun now!
We are having fun now!
Surfing down a recent lava flow on our feet. With my size 14 shoes it was pretty easy and fun.
Surfing down a recent lava flow on our feet. With my size 14 shoes it was pretty easy and fun.
The monkeys were a bit intimidated by our presence and let us know it.
The monkeys were a bit intimidated by our presence and let us know it.
Jocelyn took a great shot.
Jocelyn took a great shot.

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It was a real hard descent to keep from falling.
It was a real hard descent to keep from falling.
A very fine hostel. There was quite a party crowd here so I am glad our little house was out in the quiet jungle.
A very fine hostel. There was quite a party crowd here so I am glad our little house was out in the quiet jungle.
Horses grazing alongside Lake Nicaragua.
Horses grazing alongside Lake Nicaragua.
The top of Volcan Concepcion was clear this morning.
The top of Volcan Concepcion was clear this morning.
Very steep at the top.
Very steep at the top.
More traffic.
More traffic.
Plantain harvesting.
Plantain harvesting.
I think this pig will soon be on the dinner plate.
I think this pig will soon be on the dinner plate.
An aerial view of Isla de Ometepe. Volcan Concepcion on the left and Maderas on the right.
An aerial view of Isla de Ometepe. Volcan Concepcion on the left and Maderas on the right.

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