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. 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...