Meet Mario, one of our two official police escorts. Without complaining he marched in full uniform, gun and radio attached to belt, badge shining in the blazing sun, all the way to the top of one of the most beautiful mountains in El Salvador. In a country the size of Massachuetts, with an average of 12-13 murders per day, typical outdoor excursions are done a little differently here. There are such high rates of robbery and assault that most Salvadorans won’t venture out on a day hike without a police officer at their side. The officers will gladly escort a group of hikers (for free!) you just have to call ahead of time to make arrangements and make sure to bring a few extra bottles of water and snacks for the kind men and women in black. This past weekend I went with a local hiking club to Concepcion Quezaltepeque in the department of Chaletanago to hike Cerro de Cielo (Heaven’s Hill). The group is an eclectic mix of local outdoor adventurers that spend at least one weekend per month exploring a new part of the region. Even though we got lost, muddy, scratched-up, and at one point had to climb up a ravine and hack our way back to the trail with a machete, it was a great day! Even Mario thought so.

Meet Mario, one of our two official police escorts. Without complaining he marched in full uniform, gun and radio attached to belt, badge shining in the blazing sun, all the way to the top of one of the most beautiful mountains in El Salvador.

In a country the size of Massachuetts, with an average of 12-13 murders per day, typical outdoor excursions are done a little differently here. There are such high rates of robbery and assault that most Salvadorans won’t venture out on a day hike without a police officer at their side. The officers will gladly escort a group of hikers (for free!) you just have to call ahead of time to make arrangements and make sure to bring a few extra bottles of water and snacks for the kind men and women in black.

This past weekend I went with a local hiking club to Concepcion Quezaltepeque in the department of Chaletanago to hike Cerro de Cielo (Heaven’s Hill). The group is an eclectic mix of local outdoor adventurers that spend at least one weekend per month exploring a new part of the region. Even though we got lost, muddy, scratched-up, and at one point had to climb up a ravine and hack our way back to the trail with a machete, it was a great day! Even Mario thought so.