Humpback Whale

Forbidding looking place, isn't it ?

From sea level... we made our way UP to the first set of steps.

View from the top of the first set of steps

After we landed... 3 other zodiacs of people were preparing to leave

so we had the place all to ourselves for the rest of our stay.

Okay ... the trek begins

After about 30 mins... we reached this ramp ... which in another 15 mins.

would take us to the 2nd set of steps

Hardened lava flows conjured up images of what the

active lava was doing .

See the section of steps in the distance ?

That's not where the ramp ended & the steps began.

One of the many volcanic cones we passed on the way up.

Good Grief!!!   Another set of bloody steps.

Ever upward..... the sight of the earth's violence was absolutely chilling.

FINALLY ... The TOP !!  We've climbed volcanic slopes before

without the aid of steps .... but this was something else.

Must be getting older.

Sure hate to admit it ....but  the moaning - groaning - panting - perspiring & cussing

to be on top of a volcano that overlooked all the others ...WAS  WORTH  IT.

"E.T. ... Phone Home "

Access here is

quite limited,

as you can see.

The way up is

by those rickety

stairs ... on the right.

It's best to use

the rocks as a main handhold ...

not the railings.

Oddly enough ...

we felt more steady

going up

than

coming down