Volcano Boarding/Surfing

Tuesday November 17, 2015

November 17, 2015 We took another “day off” yesterday to try a new, to us, sport – volcano surfing/boarding. We along with all the other guests at Alsuavenica Hostel and Bar, http://www.alsuavenica.com/, spent the afternoon hiking up Volcano Cerra Negro. Cerro Negro is an active volcano in the Cordillera de los Maribios mountain range in Nicaragua, about 12 miles from Leon. It is a very new volcano, the youngest in Central America, having first appeared in April 1850. The last eruption was in 1999. At 728 m it was a 45 minute climb with each of us carrying our board. The views were magnificent and the weather cool as it was sprinkling rain. We were soon on our boards and swiftly descending through the volcanic rocks and gravel. I wiped out once but was quickly back on the board. It was the general consensus that Jocelyn was the fastest of all. Being older and more conservative I dug my heals in to avoid the high speed others achieved. The next time I won’t do that as it caused me to flip. We were wearing coveralls, gloves and goggles so we had some protection. Volcano boarding was one of the coolest things we have done. We all finished off the day with wings and beer.

Volcano Cerra Negro. At 728 meters it is very young and small. Last eruption was in 1999.
Volcano Cerra Negro. At 728 meters it is very young and small. Last eruption was in 1999.
Getting ready for the 45 minute climb with our gear and boards.
Getting ready for the 45 minute climb with our gear and boards.
What a great adventure and hike.
What a great adventure and hike.

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The scenery was fascinating.
The scenery was fascinating.
The climbing did get a little tough with loose rocks.
The climbing did get a little tough with loose rocks.

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Another memory.
Another memory.

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Father and daughter on top of a volcano. It was sprinkling so there were water drops on the lens.
Father and daughter on top of a volcano. It was sprinkling so there were water drops on the lens.
Cerra Negro was smoking and hot.
Cerra Negro was smoking and hot.

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The last bano (toilet) before our descent.
The last bano (toilet) before our descent.

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On my previous post I added a picture of the Nicaraguan flag. In the middle of the flag is a drawing of 5 volcanoes lined up. This picture shows the volcanoes. This is indeed "the land of volcanoes".
On my previous post I added a picture of the Nicaraguan flag. In the middle of the flag is a drawing of 5 volcanoes lined up. This picture shows the volcanoes. This is indeed “the land of volcanoes”.

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The landscape was out of this world.
The landscape was out of this world.
This was like being on another planet.
This was like being on another planet.
This guy surfed down the volcano with a snowboard.
This guy surfed down the volcano with a snowboard.
There are 19 volcanoes in Nicaragua. Most of them are active.
There are 19 volcanoes in Nicaragua. Most of them are active.
Others on the descent..
Others on the descent..
The hostel that we booked this trip through took pictures of us descending. But they are not posted on their website yet.
The hostel that we booked this trip through took pictures of us descending. But they are not posted on their website yet.
We spent three nights in Leon. Our days were spent surfing and volcano boarding, and hiking.
We spent three nights in Leon. Our days were spent surfing and volcano boarding, and hiking.

One thought on “Volcano Boarding/Surfing

  1. Oh my goodness. I have shared the one picture of you two with many friends today and they mostly shake their heads. I would only state that you have made another memory that I hope is part of your next book. The pictures are fabulous. I remember our trip up to the volcano on Maui and that looked like another planet with the sun rising and creating a foggy layer. I am thankful that you made it down without any injuries. Good workout and bragging rights. Rest a little now!

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