Cerro Negro

Cerro Negro is one of the smaller peaks in the line of volcanoes which runs more or less from northwest to southwest Nicaragua, following the coastline of the Pacific. The volcanoes are a stunning backdrop whenever we're travelling around much of the country.

Cerro Negro is an active, black ash volcano. It looks a bit like a giant slag heap and stands in contrast to the surrounding slopes which are now covered with vegetation. You can't see molten lava but there is a lot of smelly sulphurous gas and yellowy-green rock around its two craters.

We've been there twice now. On the first occasion, with Rachel's cousin Jonny, we joined a tour group and clambered up carrying large boards of wood which we then used to sledge down a steeper and smoother side of the volcano. This was very much a 'manage your own risk' activity. We were given guidelines on tapping your feet to slide at a sensible pace, or lift your legs to fly down and usually fall off. We were kitted out in orange boiler suits with patched up holes and a pair of safety goggles.

Everyone arrived down at their own pace, gravel-splattered, filthy, but uninjured and reasonably exhilarated. Jonny just holding it together as he hit the steep lower section.

Rachel relieved to be down in one piece.

We returned with Jan and Nick, this time finding our own way there in a hired pick-up along unsigned, sandy tracks. This time we walked up and down and made the most of a gorgeous sunset. The way down looked pretty dramatic from the top, but actually was a really great way to descend in big, sliding strides.