Volcan Pacaya

Geothermal electricity plant that uses steam generated from the volcano vents.

Hiking down to the lava fields in several inches of screed.

Lava field.

Steam coming off the lava field.

Roasting marshmallows over a gap in the field with magma underneath.

Sunset. Volcanos Agua and Fuego to the right.

After an arduous afternoon hike...

Just smoking now.

Pacaya is a volcano outside of the capital that always been noted as a fun, short hike. I had been meaning to hike it (as one of the four active volcanoes in Guatemala) ever since I got here more than two years ago... and FINALLY hiked it this weekend! Derc arranged all the transportation and a guide, and we headed out with a few other volunteers. The hike was pretty steep, and a lot of it was in several inches of tiny rocks - not what I had pictured volcanic ash as. We hiked up in late afternoon and the sun set as we were coming back down. In the dark we were able to see flashes of light from Fuego erupting!