mountain climbing

hi gang

i'm going to guatemala later this week and would like to do some hiking/mountain climbing.

i'm thinking of

a) either climbing one of the mountains surrounding Antigua

b) or Volcan Tajumulco, not far from Quetzaltenango. This ascent according to LP is possible in one day (early start, late return).

Here my questions:

1) Has anyone done both a) and b), and if so, which would you prefer/recommend?

2) Tajumulco near Quetzoaltenango seems more challeging/hard work to me, so I'm more tempted to do this mountain.

So imagine you arrive at Quetzaltenango in the afternoon, do you think it would be possible to arrange the ascent for the following
morning?

Many thanks for any replies and advice/information.

hiking not 'mountain climbing' would be a better way of putting it.

You need to do some research first about altitude sickness, Tacamulco is 4200m. If you get into Xela in the morning and start hiking Tacamulco the next day you run a serious risk of a very short trip to Guatemala indeed.

Hi there, FYI Tajumulco is not exactly near Xela (Quetzaltenango). If you look at the map you would see that its in the departamento (state) of San Marcos. So, I would say its about 60-80 kms from Xela, which means you have to take a bus to get there. I suggest you check out www.quetzaltrekkers.com because they have scheduled hikes all the time. And going with a group is the safest way to adventure into isolated areas anywhere in the world. And, you'll be contributing to their charity programs. To get to Xela,I recommend you try to use one of the bus lines that use pullman type buses such Galgos (tel:2232-3661), whose terminal is located at 9a Avenida and 18 calle zone 1 or Alamo or Linea Dorada. Unless you want to experience a ride on a chicken bus which is not always a pleasant experience. There is construction work on the road to Xela, which means its taking longer than usual. I've just got back from guatemala and believe it or not, the temperature has been dropping in guatemala city and the highlands at night and early hours because of cold air masses from the north. So make sure you bring good shoes and a jacket. Good luck.

When in Xela, and you want to do Tajumulco, my advice is to take a guide. There are many companies, but I took mine in Pasaje Enrique.
It was Adrenalina Tours. The guide took us on the bus to San Marcos, and than we took another to the village of Ischiguan.
There we started at 10 in the morning - path firstly leads you through the fields, becoming more and more steep. Then you enter the area of wood, becoming more and more dense. View is something, take note of the flourescent flowers (because it is foggy here).
After some six hours you reach the shoulder. We did it in five, but do not be deceived. It is a BIG mountain, although very mild. Take it easy, but do the stroke. When you can see the stony head, you have to climb for two hours more, at least. Path now leads you thru the forest. It is a dull and heavy part - do not be affraid if you meet a cow there. And mostly - it rains. And there you are - at a camping place at 4.000 mts. And it is 4-5 in the afternoon.
At that point I was amazed: I had 15 kilos of equipment, my guide had a iron cook with gas and most of the meals (35 kilos), and telling me - "Hurry up, man". They are really prepared.
So we slept there, in the rain, in small tents, and awaiting dawn to break. But, even before, our guide awoke us, and told us to do the final 220 metres to the head of Tajumulco. 4220 mts. Highest in Centro America.
We were awarded with the sunrise, view over almost all of Guate volcanoes - all the way up to Antigua. It is something for life, man.

Take note:
- Tajamulco takes two days, no less
- before that, at least go to climb Laguna Chicabal, to get the feeling of the dullnes, and yet fulfillment of the climb awaiting you, acclimatisation you need,
- I strongly reccomend Adrenalina,
- in Xela, student town, a Gringotenango, you have everything,
- take note there on architecture that survived earthquakes,
- people are kind, no dangers to describe, just keep an eye of the technical equipment, and do not show that you are a filthy rich (I know you're not, but I just tell that as a joke),
- believe that Guate is a decent country. 'Cause it is.
- later, award yourself with transfer to Reu, to enjoy some Mayan monuments, a Mayan waterpark, or a visit to Champerico, where famous writer Aldous Huxley once was. We did it.

Hope you enjoy that.
Mike65

Wow, these guys know their stuff. But no one answered about any other volcanoes in Guatemala.
Tujamulco is the biggest but it is not the prettiest or the most diverse of the Guatemalan vocanoes. And it is no that close to anything except Volcan Tacana. If you really want a fantastic view that will blow your mind, hit the volcanoes near Antigua.
You've got Volcanoes Pacaya, Agua, Fuego and Acatenango!!! all right there. They are a group of volcanoes with two being active. When we climbed, we did Acatenango which is very pretty and very high, 13,000 something feet. I did two overnight trips with OX expeditions. And we did a mountain bike trip with Old town tours.(cant remember the website, just do a search) If you want the latest advice about the volcanoes around Antigua, call or contact OX at www.guatemalavolcano.com that is all they do. I know they will help you out even if you want to just do it by yourself. They were very helpful and professional when we went up with them last year. (both Pacaya & Acatenango overnight trips).
if you are dead-set on the lonely mountian of the north, Tujamulco, contact Quetzaltrekkers to see what is the latest on that volcano. But I recommend the volcanoes around Antigua, more diversity and quick access.
Also, Quetzal trekkers has extended, like multi-day hiking trips i think up in the Nebaj region and for sure the Quetzaltenango to the the Lake (Atitlan trip) Then you can do volcanoes at the lake too.
Have a great trip.
I will be back in Guatemala in January to do more climbing myself.
vv

I'll second the OX recommendation. Met an OX group overnighting on Pacaya this summer and they seemed very well organized and eager to see the Pacaya eruptions trough the night. I will definitely contact them for Agua and Fuego climbs this winter.

# 4 is right, and Quote
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Tajumulco near Quetzaltenango seems more challeging/hard work to me,...
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I was already climbed Volcan Santa Maria in Xelaju long time since my days of school there living for 5 years in the dorms of an Evangelic College called “La Patria”. We left the city of Xelaju, Quezaltenango, to the volcanoe’s vicinity (a few miles from the city by jeep) and started pacing our way; you pass through irregular knolls then walk to the tree encircle where the whole thing becomes pine and fret icy....many hours later we reached up to the cone; it is a warped crater and so we were able to moved around and spent the night there...IT WAS GUSTY AND COLD! our canteens congealed and nobody slumbered, but we were fulfilled in the morning when we paced about over the line of the crater at dawn and could watch into Retalhuleu, the pacific ocean and the other volcanoe (Volcan Santiaguito) with which the tip of this is intertwined Santa Maria volcanoe such as that they said that Santa Maria is the "mother" of her "son" Santiaguito in the foklore of Guatemalans whose country have more than hundred volcanoes that are rising out of the cloud edge...it was astounding and Santa Maria is one of the highest summit beside that the Tajumulco is the highest in Central America....This hiking took us two days trek just because we stayed there camping in the summit... I think this is the best of the volcanoes, though there is also the highest volcanoe (Tajumulco) in Central America mentioned above that will be worthy to climb, too.