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Ascent of Volcán Tacaná on 2012-12-19

Climber: David Howells

Others in Party:

Neus Folch

Date:

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Ascent Type:

Successful Summit Attained

Peak:

Volcán Tacaná

Location:

Guatemala/Mexico

Elevation:

4066 m / 13343 ft

Ascent Trip Report

Summary
A three day up and down hike from Union Juarez. Two in the group and a guide. A guide is not required but hired under our 'responsible tourism' ethos. Started from Union Juarez up to Trigales. Four hour hike the first day, five the second and a six hour decent on the third day including the summit hike from the high camp. High camp is 20 mins from the summit.

Overview-Times do not include rest stops.
Day 1: hike from Union Juarez, Talquien, Trigales. Tarmacadam road to Talquien. Short cobblestone road to trailhead, register at 'park' entrance (not really a park) for 27 MP then a good hiking trail, not to steep, to Trigales. 4 hours of hiking, approx 1,500m of ascent.
Day 2: hike from Trigales, Plan de las Ardilas (broad col), campo (summit camp at 4,000m). Trail gets steeper & rockier (easy scrambling) to PDLA. 3-4 hours to here and then another hour uphill through a lovely pine forest path to campo. Total of 5 hours of hiking.
Day 3: hike from campo to summit, 20 mins, sunrise view. 5-6 hour decent to Talquien. Taxi back to UJ. Predawn start at 5am. At the summit in 20 mins. Fantastic views (as throughout) at sunrise. Breakfast at Campo and then the long decent to Alquien. Caught a taxi from Talquien to UJ.

Conclusion
A great hike with moderate full pack ascent days. The views of Tajumulco and Acatenango (done previously) are stunning. Lots of misty mountain shots. Because we did the hike in December (by chance) there were numerous little shops and overnight stop at teahouses on the route. This is not normally the case outside of December and Easter. In our case though we had great overnight stops and the high camp is a superb site at 4,000m with an easy morning ascent on the summit day.

Just loved this mountain....
Note: The tea house stops are extremely basic, straw floors and sleeping bag under a plastic canopy over a wooden framed shack.

Summary Total Data

Elevation Gain:

2500 m / 8202 ft

Distance:

20 km / 12.4 mi

Route:

via trigales

Trailhead:

union juarez 1566 m / 5141 ft

Grade/Class:

Moderate hike

Quality: