Hiking Cerro Chato

Last time I was in La Fortuna I spent time on the active volcano, Arenal, but didn't get the chance to check out the dormant one. I kept hearing about how amazing it was to hike Cerro Chato, a dormant volcanic hike that is "much harder than you would expect" with a beautiful lake at the top. You really couldn't capture it with photos but it was amazing!!!! I left my phone on the couch at the hostel, but fortunately, our hostel friends Morgan and Brunner, a brother and sister that take awesome trips together, had a camera.

It rained the whole hike and was incredibly misty. Some might say that took our views, but I felt like it gave us a crazy mysterious view.

 Wait, is that a table? Quick! Do something  rediculous.

At the top was the icy cold lake where mist hovered over the water giving it a "princess bride" type feel. You just have to jump in since that is your end prize for making it.

It was cold cold cold the whole hike due to being wet so stopping was not an option. It was the most difficult hike I have ever done, and yes I would go again in a heartbeat. It was nearly vertical in places and where it wasn't, it was incredibly steep with raised tree roots and vines everywhere to climb over.

Luke is like my brother....

ok fine we will do a nice one.

Hiking out of the center of the volcano would be tough no matter what, but then it started raining. When it rains in the rainforest, it really rains!!! Our trail was no longer a trail, but a river. I couldn't be more wet if I jumped in the lake with all my clothes on.  It was awesome! Everyone should experience this! *be a hiker already or this would kill you! It was so stinkin' hard