Ep 176 w/ Nick Cohen - We Hiked Acatenango Volcano to See Fuego and Chaos Ensued for Nick!

🎙️ 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. realityCamp life at 3,600m: freezing temps, volcanic light shows, and hot noodlesNick’s wild decision to summit Fuego — and what he saw up thereThe sounds, sights, and full sensory chaos of a volcano erupting nearbyAdvice 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 storiesVolcano hiking in GuatemalaBackpacking comedy with an edge of dangerInspiring (and slightly reckless) solo challengesTimestamps00:00 Chasing Adventure: The Fuego Hike Experience02:06 Travel Insights: The Winging It Podcast Introduction06:04 Traveling for Work: Perks of the Travel Industry12:09 The Evolution of Travel: From Family Trips to Solo Adventures17:48 Exploring El Salvador: A Journey of Discovery30:05 Guatemala Awaits: The Acatenango Volcano Hike38:46 Booking Adventures: The Importance of Local Knowledge40:57 Booking and Initial Expectations43:02 Red Flags on the Journey49:31 The Volcano Hike Begins52:00 Challenges of the Ascent58:29 Reaching Base Camp01:01:10 Accommodation Realities01:05:11 The Fuego Hike Decision01:10:42 The Descent to Fuego01:13:06 Experiencing Fuego's Eruptions01:17:54 The Dinner Dilemma01:21:25 Cold Nights and Stunning Sunrises01:23:56 The Volcano Experience: Fuego vs. Akatenango01:28:54 Reflections on the Hike and Company Recommendations01:35:12 Exploring Antigua: A Tourist's Perspective01:39:35 Lake Atitlán: A Hidden Gem01:42:41 Tikal: The Underrated Marvel01:43:44 Quickfire Travel Questions--------------------------------------------------------------Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/Winging It Travel Podcast - WebsitePlease leave a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts!--------------------------------------------------------------Winging It Travel Podcast CreditsHost/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James HammondContact me - [email protected] Social Media - follow me on:InstagramTikTok Facebook --------------------------------------------------------------Support My Podcast - MembershipsPatreon - HereBuy Me A Coffee - HereAffiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here Use Revolut Travel Card - HereBook Your E-Sim With GigSky - Here Book Hostels With Hostelworld - HereBooking.com - HereBook Experiences With Viator - HereDiscovery Car Hire - HereBook Buses With Busbud - HereBook Trains With Trainline - HereTravel Insurance with SafetyWing - HereBook Flights With Expedia Canada - HereBuy my Digital Travel Planner - Here--------------------------------------------------------------Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!Cheers, James.Mentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast Network