Acatenango, Dormant volcano near Antigua, Guatemala
Acatenango is a dormant volcano near Antigua in Guatemala, rising to 3976 meters (13 045 feet) with two peaks called Pico Mayor and Yepocapa. These summits form a continuous volcanic massif together with the active neighbor Fuego, marked by deep ravines and wide ash fields.
The volcano formed thousands of years ago and shaped the surrounding highlands through repeated eruptions. Its last activity occurred in December 1972, following earlier episodes between 1924 and 1927 when it released smoke and ash.
Hikers pass through villages where people grow corn on the slopes using methods passed down through generations. Indigenous communities call the mountain by another name and consider it a sacred place where the earth still breathes.
The climb takes between five and nine hours and requires warm clothing, as temperatures at the summit can drop to minus five degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit). Most hikers start before dawn or stay overnight in basic camps halfway up to continue the next morning.
Those who spend the night on the mountain see Fuego throwing lava into the sky every 15 to 20 minutes. The sound of explosions reaches the camp and makes the air vibrate, while red sparks dance in the darkness.
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