Semuc Champey (Guatemala)

Today was a pretty awesome day at Semuc Champey. We woke up early and took a 3 hour shuttle out to Lanquin, where we then hopped into the back of a pickup truck, and finished the last leg. The guide we had was great. He started out by walking us up to a cave that fed into a waterfall. We each got candles and he guided us through the different rooms. It was very neat to see all the stalactites and stalagmites. He walked us individually through a pretty heavy waterfall, which the boys actually scaled with the help of a rope. He guided us down a teenie hole, I have no idea how anyone would ever discover it, let alone attempt to go down.


 We got stuck for a minute in the pitch black, when he accidentally blew out the last candle, but scaled the walls assuring us he'd be back with new light. The whole setup was pretty risky; some of the ledges were really skinny, the ladders were very slippery, and the rocks sharp, but completely awesome!!
 After some scrapes and bruises, we emerged from the cave. We got to swing off a rope into the river, which we discovered really pulled you downstream quickly.

Probably, the scariest part was when we jumped off a bridge into the water 15 feet below and had to swim like madmen (and women) to the shore. I've definitely never jumped off anything that high, and to then swim for my life was a bit much...but completely awesome again!

After out swim, we put on our tennis shoes and hiked a very aggressive hill to the lookout. I honestly don't even think a lot of people would have the stamina for this; even our two marines were having a tough time! Nicole and I, of course, barely broke a sweat...yea right. But we finally made it to the top, and had lunch with a fantastic view!

A bit into our much-needed rest, we set to descending to the pools of Semuc Champey, which translates to "River that Disappears into the Earth". The main river, Rio Cahabon, is actually not part of the limestone pools at all, but disappears underground, through a cave system, before reemerging right after the limestone pools end. The pools are fed by mountain water. Each pool has clear blue water that is said to have healing qualities. The guide brought us through each pool and showed us the natural water slides down small waterfalls, on one of which Clint took me out in a full-on body-check. The whole thing was fun and, the guide knew ever hidden secret around.

 Lastly, he brought us to the main waterfall where the limestone pools end, and it drops back into the main river. Normally, people can jump off the waterfall, but, due to rain, the river below looked very unforgiving. But, we were able to scale down a life threatening rope ladder into the cave under the waterfall, which was super neat. The climb back up, however, was completely terrifying. You might think the climb down would he worse...it was not. By the miracle of foot-placement we made it back up to the pools to enjoy another quick swim and high jump into the water before heading back. We all passed out for a bit on the ride home and are still a bit tuckered out, post-shower. Dinner and bed on the agenda.