Acatenango Day 1

Volcan Fuego seen from the side of Volcan Acatenango

Layers of trees in the 'Cloud Forest'

While in Antigua, Guatemala this April I took the opportunity to go on a trek up Volcan Acatenango (much recommended if in the area). It stands at 13,044 feet making it third tallest volcano in Guatemala. Though feeling on top of the world is definitely a sight and experience in itself, Acatenango is not the main attraction for most who reach its summit. 

Steam and Lenticular clouds above Fuego

We set up camp about 11,000 feet up the side of Volcan Acatenango after a steep approach with heavy packs. The intent was to camp across the col from Acatenango's active sister, Volcan Fuego for an all-night fire show. A beautiful sunset accompanied by lenticular clouds overtook the fiery cone across the valley.

Streams of lava running down the side of Fuego

Disappointments arose when the day turned to night and the clouds from the lower 'cloud forest' smothered our view. Dinner finished and the Quetzalteca was nearly gone; every now and then a break in the clouds would coincide with a small eruption to give us a few seconds of visual stimulation. Midnight came and most of us were in the tents asleep. Minutes later the few left outside screamed with joy, waking the rest of us up to a 400 meter fountain of lava across the col. This awe-inspiring show continued through the night till our 3:30 AM wake-up call. Summit time. In a weightless 2 hours we will be on top of our big, dormant friend, Acatenango. 
  
Check back soon for day 2, including prints of my 2 best images from the hike.

Subconscious Parallels

Sub-conscious patterns and energies tend to manifest themselves in our thoughts and actions. Many times these manifestations go unnoticed at the individual level, yet are easy to pick up upon looking at many actions together. Upon spreading 400 proofs out on my floor to mix, match, and sort I noticed an uncanny similarity between these two images.

 

Construction Worker; Ogden, Utah

February 2016
(click to enlarge)

Church Patron; Leon, Nicaragua

April 2016
(click to enlarge)

The first was taken in Ogden, Utah at a construction site during the month of February. The second image was taken in León, Nicaragua at a Catholic Church during the month of April; 2 months later. Though the capture of the first image had a direct influence on my subconscious, it was profound to witness this pattern manifest itself so directly. 

The intention in showing this pair is to help the viewer look at their own subconscious patterns from an outside perspective, free of self judgement.

'Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.'
-Carl Jung

 

Sin Satura

Volcán de Agua After Sunrise 
(hand-developed prints available here)

Sin; Without

Satura; Saturating

I never thought I would start a blog. Then again I never thought I would become a traveling artist with a need to distribute work. Here we are. Welcome to my blog, Sin Satura. Content will always be original works of art accompanied by words. Sometimes it will be a trip report, sometimes a mantra, but it will probably never meet your expectations. Hopefully this project will continue to blossom and help me keep traveling and printing. I recently returned from Central America and have 10 rolls of film accompanied by a full notebook. Throughout the next few months I will be posting image-focused articles reflecting and relating my travels. Keep in touch, check out my store and let me know what you think!

Volcán De Fuego just before sunset

For this post I decided to share a few volcanic images from a trek in Guatemala. These images all share a balanced, simple, and meditative composition. The cloud layer isolates the triangular shape of the highest peaks in the vicinity, turning each into an island.

Volcán de Agua Before Sunrise 

Check back a few posts from now for Volcán Acatenango trip report including photographs of a large paroxysmal eruption on nearby Volcán de Fuego.