Started off the first day of February with a bad ass hike up the 1395m high
dormant volcano Maderas on Isla de Ometepe.
Maderas is the smaller of the 2 volcanoes located on this island. The other, is a very active volcano called Concepcion which stands impressively at 1610m tall. Several people have actually lost their lives on that volcano having attempted to climb it on their own.
This first picture here of of Concepcion. We got lucky to see the top of the mountain top as it's usually covered.
Our day started fairly early and we were out hiking by 815am. It was an ass busting, slippery, muddy climb to the top that took us about 3 and a half hours.
The summit was quite underwhelming as you couldn't see the ground below as we were surrounded by trees.
We hiked down for about another 30 minutes into the crater to have lunch by the lake there. Although it was misty, damp and cloudy it was lovely. We definitely earned our lunch on this day and we all dove into our backpacks for energy while taking pictures and stretching out sore muscles.
After devouring our lunches we prepared for the trek back.
The way down is almost if not more difficult than the way up I usually find. And with the slippery rocks and mud up to your ankles, made for an interesting hike down.
Almost all of us slipped and ended up in the mud. It was pretty fun for most of the trip until nearing the end where we were all ready for the trail to dry and flatten out and for the trees to thin out and open up to the pasture.
The way down took us even longer than the way up.
Muddy and tired we finally reached the bottom that comes out to Finca Magdalena which offers a work to stay farming program and is an agricultural cooperative of 24 families.
After rinsing ourselves off in the lake (which is significantly warmer than our showers!) we all gathered in the hotel restaurant for a lovely meal together.
Even though I was cursing the volcano many times throughout the day, overall is was awesome!
But I wouldn't do it again. Haha
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