Climbing Above the Clouds - Lake Atitlán

On this trip, I set out to explore Lago de Atitlán in Guatemala and made a stop in a small town called San Marcos. To get between towns around the lake, you’ll need to take a boat, the ride costs about 25 Quetzales (roughly a few AUD), and it’s a great way to see the lake from the water.

From San Marcos, I linked up with ATI Adventures, an eco-tour agency at the lake that runs climbing, hiking, and kayaking trips. They organized everything for the climb; gear, setup, and guidance. The cost depends on group size, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to go. For me, it worked out to about $135 AUD, since it was just myself and one other climber. We met up in Santa Cruz and started with a 20-minute hike up to the mountain.

When we reached the climbing location, the views of the lake were already absolutely stunning so by the time that we slapped on a bit of chalk and began the ascension, all of our senses continued to thank us. 

The routes we climbed have names in the local language, which translate to Thank You, Sweet Bread, Iguana, and one more which I unfortunately, can’t remember. These first climbs are around 5.10a grades. If you’re comfortable with crimps and trust your footwork on friction, you’ll love them. Even if you’re newer, they make for a fun challenge.

We progressed to another section of the wall that looked shorter but was actually much tougher, graded 5.11a–c. This part had lots of cracks, more dynamic moves, and even an undercling section. It ended up being my favorite climb of the day because it really made me stop and think through each move.

In total, we knocked out five climbs. It was such a rewarding experience, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for adventure at Lake Atitlán. I had a great time and I’m already excited for the next one.

Written by: Lochlan Mcgrath-Moses