By Laura Bijnsdorp
Have you ever thought about climbing a volcano? I never really had until I started travelling and then stumbled upon a “Climb a volcano” tour. At first I thought, “Uhm… is that safe?”
Volcanoes are manifestations of the fiery power contained deep within the earth. These formations are essentially vents on the earth’s surface where molten rock, debris and gases from the planet’s interior are emitted. When thick magma and large amounts of gas build up under the surface, eruptions can be explosive, expelling lava, rocks and ash into the air.
It doesn’t sound safe, but I found out it can be (quite) safe, fun and surprising. It is also a great workout! A 160-pound person generally burns between 430 and 440 calories per hour of hiking. A 200-pound person burns approximately 550 calories per hour of hiking. Hiking uphill with a backpack, which is often required of volcanic adventures, can burn even more. A 5-10% incline equals a 30-40% increase in calorie burn!
Besides the “burn” that we often look for in a workout, hiking also has other benefits, such as, lowering your risk of heart disease, improving your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, boosting bone density (since walking is a weight-bearing exercise), building strength in your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and the muscles in your hips and lower legs, strengthening your core, improving your balance and boosting your mood.
“Research shows that hiking has a positive impact on combating the symptoms of stress and anxiety,” says Gregory A. Miller, PhD, president of the American Hiking Society. “Being in nature is ingrained in our DNA, and we sometimes forget that.” And nature does not get more impressive than a volcano in my opinion!
There are many volcanoes for all kinds of fitness levers in the world that you can hike up to for some unique experiences. I have not done them all yet, but some of my favourite personal encounters were on my latest travels in Central America. Hiking up Pacaya volcano for example is great for any beginner hiker, with just an hour gradual hike up, and you get a great reward – roasting marshmallows on Pacaya’s steaming-vents!
My favourite – and the most difficult so far – was a five-hour steep hike up the freezing cold slope of Acetenango. They often say that hard work pays off, and this time it did in doubles. At midnight from our base-camp, we saw sister-volcano Fuego spout lava just a few kilometres away. After seeing that, I knew that I was hooked; volcano hiking is a must!
Remember to always be safe when hiking, especially climbing a summit such as a volcano – I recommend hiring a guide. If you are confident in your skills, remember to never hike alone. Familiarize yourself with the trail map, make sure you have GPS gear, check the weather, and dress and pack accordingly.
