Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Know Thy Self; Santa Maria . . . It is a long one

Santa Maria . . . while it was one of the hardest things I have ever done it was also one of the best. As it was a full moon hike and the group did not meet until 10:30 at night. With it being dark outside my roommates were the cutest and assumed the role of proud parents dropping off their child for the first day of kindergarten. Krystie and Melissa, being experienced Santa Maria hikers coached me the whole walk to the meeting spot; going over the list of things I had with me and making sure I had not forgotten anything. With only a short walk to go I felt I had not the time to prepare myself. We had reached the front door. "Are you guys going to come in?", I asked hopefully. Both of them smirk at me and tell me I got it under control. There I am first day of kindergarten all over again. Panic stricken having only learned how to spell my full name the night before . . .
Inside, I made my way to notify the group leader I had arrived and that I would need to borrow a sleeping bag. We begin our meeting about what to expect and how best to use all forms of the bathroom on the trail. :) As the leader announces how excited she is that the weather looks perfect for our hike the first rain drops start to fall. Waiting around for much longer than we should have she finally gives us the option. You can go, but its supposed to rain all night or you can back out now. One girl quits right off the bat . . . loser! (That's for you, Uncle Mark)
Instead of getting on the road at 11:00 we all start piling into the back of mid-size delivery truck around 12:15. All 30 of us. Only room to stand, but I strategically put myself as far back into the truck, perched on the all the backpacks. It was actually very comfortable. When we've gone as far as the truck can go we begin. We're dropped in the community of Llanos del Pinal which I know well from guiding groups in stove building projects there. The foot path we use to take us to the base is actually one I have walked. I feel ahead of the game right off the bat. Familiarize yourself with your surrounding. Check. . . for now.
We hike for about an hour at which point we reached a fairly large clearing. All of us panting looking at the volcano above us, knowing its time to really man-up. Santi, our guide, announces this is where it gets steep. The rest of our hike will be pretty much straight up. I brace myself and know I'm as ready as I'll ever be. 20 minutes after eating trail mix and drinking water we begin again.
I put myself about 5th in line. I was tired of listening to the prissy chick and her boyfriend talk about her accomplishments the whole first hour. It becomes one step at a time. Each step my knee comes to my belly button to reach the next spot for my foot to reach. With a swollen stomach from something interesting I had eaten earlier in the day this proved to be no easy feat, but I did well. Staying right behind the person in front. We took breaks often due to our group being so big. With my stomach aching I had no problem with our pace while the over achievers behind me got restless. It was at one stopping point in particular one man got particularly snippy and told Santi we did not want anymore breaks, while my mind is screaming, "speak for yourself!". Santi replies, "If you want to go, lets go" and I know its about to get real. I take the few more seconds of rest to ask how much further we have expecting the vegetation to change at any moment and the top to be just around the corner. Santi answers, "2 more hours". All I can squeak is, "ensario". My mental strength now diminishes significantly.
The personal battle began here. Knowing that we had had at least one person turn back I began battling to fight with myself. Pushing myself harder and harder to stay right behind the person in front of me as to not irritate the high-maintenance man behind me that had been so vocal about taking no more breaks. 40 minutes in with no breaks I realize I can't continue at that pace especially with the status of my stomach. Fighting the inner leader, what my mother might call the eldest child syndrome, I relinquish my spot and proceed to let about 8 people pass me. Every person that past was another blow to my ego, but all the while trying to tell myself its better this way.
As they pull ahead I focus on never stopping and just moving one foot in front of the other. It becomes slowly apparent to me that I am totally alone. I see the flashlights far in front from the group I let pass and no sign of the rest of our original group behind me. It is pitch black, freezing cold, and extremely liberating. Finally the vegetation starts to change. Whether it be the years of nature camp or gardening that clues me in, the sign fills me with joy. I know that the lack of green and the sparse placement of woody bushes means I am getting close. With the lack of coverage now the wind howls and is relentless. I decipher the ever more confusing path and make my way up the gravelly face. About an hour and a half of hiking alone. I've arrived.
I had thought about crying with joy once I got to the top, but with no mother or boyfriend to comfort me, decided not to show these people anymore of my weak side and I stayed strong. I immediately stripped off my flimsy rain coat and soaking wet t-shirt and put on the many layers I had brought with me. Thinking back to several hours earlier when I had asked my roommate if I would need gloves on the trip. Her response being a firm "no". I cursed her now as it took hours to regain feeling in my hands and every ounce of focus to untie my boots in order to replace my soaking wet socks. With some warmth regained I quickly set up my sleeping mat and bag. I could finally "relax". I don't think you can say you are relaxing when you are shivering, but I have a new appreciation for the word after spending just over 5 hours ascending straight up a volcano in the dark.
Then this happened.
then this . . .
and this!
:)

In the morning light I was able to marvel at what I had accomplished and the beauty of the Santa Maria. This is her shadow, looking from the other side of the volcano.

It rained on us for only about 20 minutes the whole way. Considering the forecast this was amazing. The view from the top was practically cloudless. To have hiked during rainy season we owe mother nature a huge hug. As you can see it was gorgeous.
Scanning my surroundings I recognized places of worship covered in offerings of sugar and flowers. In Maya culture it seems that every spot is sacred. I travel to lakes, hills, valleys, and places in between always finding signs of worship. Santa Maria is no different. How refreshing! A people so in tune with nature, knowing its from where they came, that they use it as a vehicle for praise. Recognizing the alter I had an idea of what I would find on the descent in a few hours. . .
Around 8:30 we started down. It took us only about 45 minutes to come across the first Maya family making there way up. Men dressed in traditional cloths for ceremony, women in SKIRTS, SANDLES, and BABIES ON THEIR BACKS!!! Like billy goats they bounced up the volcano. In Guatemala I am constantly reminded of how pitiful I am.
Although I am still fighting a cold I think contracted from the cold air at the top I am ecstatic with what I learned along the way. I was reminded I am not a super hero. I learned I need to work out more. I realized what was important. Santa Maria gave me so much and I am thankful for her.

Before

After