Mellow Expeditions - @hill.scarlettt

This week’s feature comes from @hill.scarlettt who spoke with us about her trip to Guatemala, ticking off a bucket list hike to Volcano Acatenango. Facing a tough hike on the way up and an overnight stay at base camp, Scarlett was greeted with friendly company from locals and other hikers before reaching the summit and taking in the breathtaking views. Here’s the full story..

Last year post graduating university and pre starting a big girl corporate job I wanted to tick off my bucket list hike that I had had my eye on for a while. Volcano Acatenango. This volcano stands at 3976 m and takes two days to complete, where you can see the most incredible views of Guatemala as well as Volcano Fuego erupting every 20 mins or so.

My older sister and I started our travels around Guatemala in Antigua where we stayed to complete the hike. Anyone you meet travelling Guatemala or Central/South America will say how difficult the hike is so don’t go unprepared! On the morning of the hike, the hostel we were staying at and completing the hike with, hosted a big breakfast. This is where we made friends with two lovely American girls and two lovely girls from Harrogate who we were attached at the hip with the whole hike.

Starting the hike slightly hungover, with my trusty Salomons on (they have taken me on hikes all over the world I love them) we were ready to endure the hours of vertical climb. Throughout the climb we experienced a variety of microclimates, with increasing altitude came fog, rain, sun, wind, the list goes on. It took us approx 4.5 hours to reach base camp (which we were told was pretty speedy). Throughout the hike we were joined by lots of dogs which were very cute although just wanted our food.

By the time we got to base camp it was dark and the red lava erupting out of Volcano Fuego was so clear it was so surreal. While we were watching the eruptions our guides made us some dinner, mulled wine and we also got to toast marshmallows. We then got tucked into bed, with one of the dogs we adopted on the way up breaking into the room and curling up at the end of the bed.

At 3 am we hiked the final hour to the summit, where we got to experience the most incredible  sunrise I have ever seen. The colours in the sky coupled with Fuego continuously erupting was honestly the most amazing experience. After spending an hour or so mesmerised by the views we made our way back to base camp where we had some coffee and banana bread to fuel our descent back to Antigua.

This hike will forever be in my heart. I am so so luckily and grateful to have experienced it and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!