Remember that one time we climbed a volcano at night and slept atop the crown to watch the world come to life beneath us?

Well this is a brief story of that time.

It was December 2011 and I was floating around Guatemala at the time with my old friend – el Simpson. We were making our way to Lake Atitlan, but first had come by way of Antigua and then Quetzaltenago. It was Christmas time and the main square of the city had come alive with lights and people. A delight in an exotic place.

Theres not much to do here – its a large town but seems void of much to enthral the traveler, besides trekking a nearby volcano. Which we gladly sign up to do. Its a long tough hike and its done at night. But the reward is worth it.

Freezing atop the peak in a cold icy wind, a stray dog has followed us up. I beckon it into my sleeping bag to help keep it warm as we wait a few more hours until the break of dawn.

Down to the right we can see into the eerie glow of another volcano – the depths of hell come to life perhaps with its red magma bubbling away.

The sun comes up and ignites its light the chain of volcanoes before us. A row of mountainous peaks in an almost straight line leading north and south. Epic, freeing it feels up here to watch the world stir in the early dawn below. Feeling at peace as the sun strikes us first.