Volcano boarding in Nicaragua, March 2018

Was rummaging through some digital dust on Facebook the other day and found a couple throwback pics from a trip to Nicaragua in March 2018.

I've always wanted to visit the country after (A. reading about Mark Twain's adventures in Nicaragua in the 1860s and (B. hearing about the country's charm as an off-the-beaten path surfing haven.

I jumped at the opportunity when a buddy from New York, working for Flor de Caña Rum, invited me to come down and check the distillery out.

The trip was a rum-swizzling whirlwind, approximately one month before the April 2018 protests that resulted in five days of unrest and violence. The political ramifications of the turbulence went on for years.

One of the highlights was a trip to Cerro Negro, an active volcano in the Cordillera de los Maribios mountain range. Cerro Negro is cinder cone volcano, with gritty terrain composed of basaltic gravel and sand. It's a young volcano. It only sprouted from the earth in a violent surge of ash, magma, and gas in April 1850 - practically a newborn in geology years.

It last erupted in 1999.

After a hike to the summit, you can ride down on the steep sandy slopes on a thin plywood board in an activity called volcano boarding. I opted to sit down and do it like a sled-ride.

Still, even on my ass, a completely epic shred sesh.

If you like a medium stakes thrill, volcano boarding is one for the bucket list. It has its dangers - unlike surfing or skiing, there's not much cushioning when you eat shit at high speeds on volcano sand. Depending on what the active volcano is doing at any given time, there's also a chance you're inhaling poisonous gasses on the hike up or descent down.

Disclaimers aside, it's certainly one hell of a thrill.

Thought I'd share a pic someone snapped of my descent down the slopes of Cerro Negro. They make you wear a bright orange jumpsuit, so people can see where you are on the black slopes. I barreled down the volcano right at sunset - an unforgettable, poetic rush of adrenaline.  

When you get to the bottom, you're caked in volcano dust - especially the beard.

Afterwards, the swim in the hotel pool felt so good.

Can't believe it's been five years. Pic at the top is from the hike up.

Also, here's a link to my post about Flor de Caña Rum on BroBible. Nicaraguan rum has such a unique character compared to the tropical firewater from other islands - it's a uniquely rich taste.

Of all the press trips I've been on over the years, this one stands out in a big way. I learned a lot on this one. Plus, volcano boarding in Nicaragua on a trip semi-related to work on a weekday certainly didn't suck.