Volcano boarding is the activity that drew us here to Leon, Nicarougua, the town nearest Cerro Negro. Our freinds asked us if we had a death wish.
Our guide told us that volcano boarding is #2 on CNN's list of Extreme Things to do, behind flying a jetliner in the Swiss Alps for a minute with no trainibng for $68,000. Since our acivity only cost us $35, I'd sy we were way ahead
We passed miles of semi trucks stopped in the road waiting for their turn for clearance at the border to Nicaraugua. We just drive on the wrong side of the road to passs them by, going to the front of the line. Yes, we're expected to do this, it's not cutting in line.
Nicarugua is a poor country and we immediately noticed there were fewer cars and more horse carts and ox carts still in use. They use the roads same as other vehicles and we had to dodge them, bicycles, tuk tuks, and animals as we drove.
Jason checking out a bridge before we take the van across. Main roads here are in good shape, but side roads and roads in the old centers or towns can have huge potholes and/or deep ditches that cause our bumper to drag as we cross them, so we have to be careful where we drive.
The town of Leon used to be the capital and is the seconde largest city in the area here. Lots of historic old buildings and churches long the cobbled streets.
Another historic building in Leon, Nicaraugua.
We parked at the cemetery lot (only place we found that was free, flat and level) and walked about a mile into town to check out the hostels that arrange volcano boarding trips. We ended up at Via Via hostel/restaurant/bar and signed up for the trip the net day with the Volcano Day group.
These toboggan-like boards are used to slide down the side of the Cerro Negro (Black Hill) volcano.
Jason outside of Via Via/Volcano Day, where the slogan is "Today is going to be a volcano day".
Karen in front of volcano Day slogan boards. We each ended up with multiple t-shirts with this printed on them.
Jason and Karen on the truck that will take us up to the volcano. We were required to bring water and something to cover our nose, mouth and neck. We cut up a couple of Jason's old tube socks for our face covers. Everything else was included in the $35 pp price.
Our guide warned us about hitting branches as we drove the trail to the volcano. This was our first glimpse of the Cerro Negro, looking between the roof of the cab and the tarp covering as we drove.
We drove across an expanse of black volcanic sand to reach the volcano.
Unloading the truck to get ready for the hike up the volcano. Each of us was expected to carry ourown board and a backpack wiith a protection suit and goggles, as well as our water and face coverings. We were encouraged to leave all else behind to avoid damage from the ride down. Even cameras were discouraged and they promised lots of photos and videos of us to get from their site later. I wish I'd taken my camera in hindight,though.
Karen with her backpack of protection suit and goggles. Each of us had to carry one up to wear down. My sock to use as face covering is stuffed into my shirt pocket; my own backback was left in the truck with my camera, at the suggestion of the guide. Too many things get damaged on the way down..
Our starting point. We had to hike to the top of that volcano, about an hour's hike away.
The hike up afforded a stunning view of the aurrounding area
The black is the latest lava flow. The person is just another in our group.
The guides positioned someone part way down the slope to capture photos and videos and to signal when it was safe for the next boarder to go.
The trails below are actually the road in. It's a fair ways down. The boarders disappear once they go ovet the lip.
Quite the view from Cerro Negro on the hike up.
Our group ready to start the hike up. We're in the middle.
Karen trudging up the side of the volcano, with Jason behind me.
Jason and his board.
I paid this local guy $5 to carry my board up for me. I thought they were heavy and awkward and I needed all my breath just to get me up the volcano!
Jason and Karen on a break during the hike up Cerro Negro.
Jason and his 'V' for volcano.
Looking back down the trail as our group straggled to the top.
It was a breezy day, thank goodness, as we trudged even higher up the volcano.
Jason didn't get nearly as winded as I did on the climb. The guy behind him was one of two Danish coffee exporters who'd come to see the sources for their coffee. We had some interesting conversations.
Our guide, Said, telling us about the other crater here at the top behind him before we suited up to board down the other face.
The other crater at the top was so colorful! Different minerals caused the different colors in the rocks. Beautiful.
Said had us dig a groove with our heels and touch the ground inside and outside the groove to feel the temperature difference. The new groove was much warmer. Sticking my finger into the loose ground it was too hot to hold it there! This just proves the volcano is still active and could erupt at any time.
Our group jumping for joy to be at the top of Cerro Negro.
Said had folks pose for some action shots. He choreographed the stances and jumps to make it look like an invisible cannon ball just slammed into this guy from the other person's hands.
He made it look like I was kicking Jason off the edge of the crater.
Jason and Karen on top of Cerro Negro's other crater.
Our group suited up ad ready to board down the volcano. We're still in the middle. We had to give up our water bottles and anything that might injure us if we fell off the boards, and then tuck the suit's backpack into the front of our suit. Goggles and face covering on, and we werr ready to go!
Karen coming down the hill on her board.
Look at that rooster tail of dust!
Karen going by the photographer on the way down. It was a blast!
Jason screaming down the hill at full speed. He made a great run!
He flew by the photographer kicking up black sand and dust as he went.
The truck when we got to the bottom had tables of rum and Cokes set out for us.
Watching others in our group make it down the steep volcanic hillside. If/when you fall off the board you are to let go and make a starfish to stop yourself from sliding down the hill.
Jason walked part way up the landing zone to capture some others coming down.
Our guide, Said, on the right. He was a hoot and spoke perfect English. He also owns the bar/restaurant on the beach where we all went after lunch.
Looking back at the hill as we left. Those tiny dots are vehicles.
Even with the face coverings, we got our necks and wrists and any other exposed skin covered in black volcanic dust and sand.
Said's beachfront bar/restaurant, Simple Beach Restaurant. The sky turned ominous and we saw some lighntning and heard some thunder, so most of us stayed under the roof. A surfer and some hardy souls braved the elements.
Jason at Simple Beach Bar and Restaurant.
Jason playing wiht the bar dog.
Jason on the beach at Pirata Poin twhere the bar is located. Tona is the local beer.
Karen and Jason in the bar after volcano boarding.
Said took me to the storeroom to give me a bag of coffee he insisted I have. Walking and talking on the way back out to the beach, I missed a step up and did a face plant on the stone floor. Said called for the first aid kit and washed and bandaged my skinned knees for me.
The guardhouse at the gate into the cemetery where we parked for three nights. The guards (everything in Nicarugua is guarded) let us plug into their electricity and covered our cord with branches and leaves so it wouldn't stand out.
Another horse cart with long iron bars being pulled in front of us as we left the cemetery to head out of Leon.
We had a blast in Leon, volcano boarding with the Volcano Day group. Tons of free rum and Cokes on the way down the mountain, free t-shirts, lunch after we returned with a free beer included, then more rum and Cokes on the way to and from the beach bar. We got even more free t-shirts by submitting a good review for the company. I think our wardrobe doubled in this town.
