Volcano Boarding

The after effects of volcano boarding!!!!

St David's day on the volcano and ........................getting ready for the descent

I'm still laughing from the sight of a group of backpackers wearing safety specs, sitting on a plank of wood (with a little foam attached for comfort) heading straight down the slope of an active volcano. Yes, I was one of them and what fun it was.

The active volcano, Cerro Negro, erupts every 6 years or so and last erupted in 1999, so the fact it has been getting hotter and hotter during the last 2 months indicates that it is probably due to go off again pretty soon. That added to the excitement when climbing up the back of the volcano to reach the crater at the top (all this done with a plank of wood under one arm remember).

After walking about on the steaming crust of the crater for a while, we all sat and watched a beautiful sunset, with the other volanoes in the right of our view. Then it was time to put on the safety specs, sit on the board and head straight down. There was some technique involved to make the board go faster or slower (apparently some guy did it in 30 seconds) but we decided to go for the more tranquil 4 minute option. The goggles were a saviour as there was so much lave dust blowing about it would have been impossible to see. Everyone looked like they had been down a coal mine once they had finished, as every bit of exposed skin was covered in black dust!!

Then an hours ride in the back of a truck watching the stars was a perfect end to the adventure...or maybe the rum and coke waiting for us at the bar once we returned to the hostel was. Anyone heading to Leon in Nicaragua, should definitely head to the Big Foot hostel and go on this trip.