Adventure Chasing with Samantha: 9900 Ft.

I hiked San Pedro Volcano in San Pedro, Guatemala. All 9900 feet of it. Not a mountain – a volcano. Not a couple of thousand feet, but almost 10,000 feet! Yes, I am just as shocked as you are. Let me start by saying that I am not an active person. I don’t exercise. I don’t run. I barely eat well. I am vegetarian though, which kind of forces me to eat somewhat healthy. And living in New York City, you gotta be able to walk fast, so I guess I “power walk” everywhere I go. But that is all.

Being vegetarian and walking fast, however, does not mean hiking up a steep volcano will be easy. It was the most painful physical activity I have ever had to do. I started off fine until the first viewpoint, which I couldn’t tell you how high it was. After that, the incline increased. A LOT. I was having a hard time breathing due to the high elevation, so I had to make frequent stops. But, who cares?? I made it! In only 3 hours! And my active friends made it in 2.45 hours, so maybe I’m not in as bad of shape as I thought.

I cannot describe the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment I felt once I got to the top of the volcano and saw Guatemala 9900 feet below me. I was with the clouds feeling like I was on a cloud. Amazing. You should all hike a volcano if you have the chance.