🎙️ Episode Title: We Hiked Acatenango to See Fuego and Chaos Ensued for Nick! So we climbed Acatenango together… and that was already intense. But then Nick decided to go one volcano further — literally. Nick and I met in El Salvador, travelled to Antigua in Guatemala, and decided to hike the Acatenango Volcano together. In this funny, honest episode, we recount our wild trek up Guatemala’s Volcán Acatenango — a two-day grind through steep trails, freezing nights, and jaw-dropping views. But the real twist? While most sane people watched Fuego erupt from a safe distance, Nick hiked straight toward it with a group in tow. Yup. He dropped down the saddle and made the bonus climb to stand just a few hundred meters from one of the most active volcanoes in the world — Volcán de Fuego — while it erupted . For an extra bit of money, you can add a hike to Fuego when you get to base camp, and Nick shares his stories, the good and bad of what to expect when you climb. Nick left at 5 pm for Fuego and did not return until nearly midnight, so there is much to discuss! It should have only taken 3-5 hours, so it didn't go quite as planned. 🏕️ From campfire laughs to hiking-induced delirium and Nick’s death-defying detour, this episode is full of high-altitude absurdity, heart-racing adventure, and a whole lot of ash. Whether you’re curious about hiking Acatenango, dreaming of volcano views, or just want to hear a story about a guy willingly walking towards an erupting mountain... this one’s a ride. To add to the drama, there is some great content in here about hiking Acatenango and Fuego in general, so if this is something on your bucket list, you could learn a few things from this episode. 🔥 What’s Inside: The Acatenango climb: expectations vs. reality Camp life at 3,600m: freezing temps, volcanic light shows, and hot noodles Nick’s wild decision to summit Fuego — and what he saw up there The sounds, sights, and full sensory chaos of a volcano erupting nearby Advice for anyone thinking of doing the hike (and the Fuego add-on) A reminder that the best stories come from slightly bad ideas 🎧 Ideal for listeners who love: Real, raw, and ridiculous travel stories Volcano hiking in Guatemala Backpacking comedy with an edge of danger Inspiring (and slightly reckless) solo challenges Timestamps 00:00 Chasing Adventure: The Fuego Hike Experience 02:06 Travel Insights: The Winging It Podcast Introduction 06:04 Traveling for Work: Perks of the Travel Industry 12:09 The Evolution of Travel: From Family Trips to Solo Adventures 17:48 Exploring El Salvador: A Journey of Discovery 30:05 Guatemala Awaits: The Acatenango Volcano Hike 38:46 Booking Adventures: The Importance of Local Knowledge 40:57 Booking and Initial Expectations 43:02 Red Flags on the Journey 49:31 The Volcano Hike Begins 52:00 Challenges of the Ascent 58:29 Reaching Base Camp 01:01:10 Accommodation Realities 01:05:11 The Fuego Hike Decision 01:10:42 The Descent to Fuego 01:13:06 Experiencing Fuego's Eruptions 01:17:54 The Dinner Dilemma 01:21:25 Cold Nights and Stunning Sunrises 01:23:56 The Volcano Experience: Fuego vs. Akatenango 01:28:54 Reflections on the Hike and Company Recommendations 01:35:12 Exploring Antigua: A Tourist's Perspective 01:39:35 Lake Atitlán: A Hidden Gem 01:42:41 Tikal: The Underrated Marvel 01:43:44 Quickfire Travel...
