“I could never do that!”That was my initial reaction to seeing a particular photo of a daring activity in an international travel book. Years passed and I revisited this lingering idea.
Within the “ring of fire” of volcanoes and earthquakes, Nicaragua hosts a thrilling way to interact with its youngest active volcano: volcano boarding. Reportedly, this activity, also called sliding, only occurs in Nicaragua and Guatemala. Located at Cerro Negro, meaning “black hill,” the basaltic cinder cone I ‘boarded’ last erupted in 1999.
Among vibrant mountains and farmlands, the jungle ride there built much anticipation. The drive through canopied, tree-lined pathways on volcanic ash roads was serene. A fallen tree from the previous night’s storm caused a short detour, granting more time for appreciating the views.
The check-in process involved receiving my gear: a sled and a backpack of protective outfiting and accessories, including goggles, a balaclava and gloves with grips. A sherpa guide carried this load for me for $5. The $35 excursion included the transport, hike, descent, snack and tour information. A mid-ankle hiking boot for better traction is recommended for this approximately one hour sojourn up the gravely pumice. Adrenaline propelled me through the ascent while I enjoyed the landscape views.
Sure-footed steps of a mountain goat helped me avoid any slipping or “human avalanching.” The narrow path atop the crater’s edge was intimidating, but also euphoric as a kaleidoscope of butterflies greeted me. It was surreal to encounter butterflies at the crux of a volcano – and it’s said that they represent our deceased loved ones. I took a moment to honor that idea and found it inspiring as I persevered. At the top, I discovered natural phenomena nearby like a hot stone radiating heat from magma below.
Only having a small reserve of nerve left in me, I anxiously wanted to begin the slide. Donning the protective gear, I felt the balaclava, which covered my nose and mouth, was stifling but necessary in order to keep flying ash from harming me. I controlled the speed by leaning backward or forward, adjusting the slack of the board’s rope and braking with my feet.
If the mythological Sisyphus taught me anything, it was personified in this moment. “What goes up must come down.” I hiked up the volcano resolutely, carrying the intense emotions of losing parents, a son’s wedding, and the challenges of aging. But then I rolled those emotional boulders down with the exhilaration of feeling young and brave again for three minutes at several miles per hour.
The epiphany: Life’s a silent volcano of eruptions, and it’s the rich minerals that blanket the earth in the aftermath that can be so healing. A big percentage of people panic and don’t complete the slide (they have to be transported down in extreme measures). Some call the camaraderie of this activity “trauma bonding” and daredevils hoping to break records end up breaking bones.
It’s never too late to be adventurous – but if this excursion is too intense for you, at least take the drive out there and watch others do it. The contagious joy of this unusual activity will delight you.
Interacting with nature this way mirrored some of life’s lessons:
• Focus. Don’t look down or back.
• Dig in your heels and brake when needed. This resolve orients you.
• Find your pace. Ascend, push, descend, relax.
• Set boundaries and don protective gear.
• Detours: Find the beauty in them.
• Celebrate where you are in life. Challenge your fears and reach the finish line.
So … the next time you feel like saying you can’t do something, say instead, “I haven’t done that, yet!”
