Let's just be honest. This is not going to be a glowing report of how much fun my volcano boarding experience was. It's just not. I hate roller coasters and with the exception of volleyball, I don't care much for activities that cause me to break any sort of sweat. I also value my life.
So what on earth was I thinking?
First, some basic information:
Location-Cerro Negro, just outside of Leon, 728 meters tall, and the youngest volcano in Nicaragua.
Cost-$28 US dollars. A cheap price to possibly shorten my life.
State of mind: Panic mixed with resignation. The pictures you see in this post belie the fear within.
My state of mind was not improved when my first encounter of the day was with a girl who had just an accident the day prior, involving the very same volcano. Hmm. She had a rather scary looking bandage wrapped aroud her head, a very large black eye, and blood in her retina.
Wonderful.
I was considering giving it up, but I didn't want to be a quitter and supposedly volcano boarding was the thrill of a lifetime. I also need good stories to tell my students and my future children, so I determined to tough it out. Upon arriving at Cerro Negro however, I began to reevaluate my life. Although not the steepest volcano I have ever seen, it is nevertheless, a giant volcano. And I wanted to sled down it? Right.
So began the trek up the incline. As I am not in shape whatsoever, and I am also lugging a giant board, I quickly fell to the back of the pack. The rest of the group trotted merrily on past me, not breathing hard at all. I considered hating them. Then I spotted my new best friend, a fellow climber who just so happened to have asthma. If she can do it, I can do it. She stopped every 10 steps or so to breathe, and so I gladly waited behind her. She kept apologizing to me, and I assured her that I was completely fine. Then when our guide realized he was missing two climbers, he came back for us, took our boards and carried them for us to the next resting spot.
Not what I had intentionally planned, but perfect nonetheless.
Upon arriving at the top, I was completely pleased that I had made it, and resigned myself to the task of getting down in one complete piece. The company (Tierra Tours) provides a hot looking jumpsuit, elbow, knee, and wrist protection, and goggles. No helmet. Siiiiigh. As if heading to my execution, I slowly don each piece, biding my time until the last minute. When I can wait no more, I get on my board and proceed to..........
Inch down the volcano. Yes! Just the speed I like. I literally dug my heels in to the volcanic rocks the entire way down. At two points, I came to a complete stop as I felt myself hurtling out of control. I should probably clarify "hurtling." By this, I just mean that I was going approximately 3 mph, instead of 2 mph.
As I am inching my way down, the thought crosses my mind that this is probably not how it's supposed to be done. If I could compare, it would be like a grandmother driving to Sunday church in a nice big Buick.
But I don't care. I arrived alive and unscathed.
And I will never do it again,. Once was enough! I do wish I had enjoyed it more, because it certainly looks like tons of fun. I just didn't have any.
If you have been volcano boarding, what was your experience? If you haven't, would you do it?
