Author Archives: TA Loeffler

I was lucky to be swimming in the Pacific Ocean on New Year’s Eve and again on New Year’s Day. To me, the water was a warm invitation to play. Once I reached the beach, I could only heed the … Continue reading →

Our last two volcano climbs took us from sky to sea. After leaving Berlin, we were up early once again to drive to Chonchagua Volcano. We met our guides and national police escorts and made our way to the base … Continue reading →

The everyday practice is simply to develop complete acceptance and openness to all situations and emotions, and to all people, experiencing everything totally without reservations or blockages so that one never withdraws or centralizes into oneself. –Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche The … Continue reading →

Through an act of unmindfulness/not great computing practice, this is the second time I am writing this blog entry. Marian assures me it will be better for having to do it twice. I’m unconvinced but will try my best. Of … Continue reading →

The firecrackers and fireworks went full force on Christmas Eve until just after midnight. It was our first night in Sochitoto after a climb of El Salvador’s highest peak. As we sat beside the square waiting for dinner, we all … Continue reading →

We had our earliest start yet this morning which helped us beat the heat as we climbed Llamatepec, also known as Santa Ana. It is El Salvador’s highest volcano at 2381 metres. The climb took us through three zones. We … Continue reading →

TA Latitude:14.38232 Longitude:-89.12759 GPS location Date/Time:12/24/2015 14:14:34 NST Message:TA and Marian are climbing 8 volcanoes in El Salvador! Click the link to see which one! Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/SvD3j/14.38232N/89.12759W If the above link … Continue reading →

TA Latitude:13.84649 Longitude:-89.62766 GPS location Date/Time:12/23/2015 12:18:18 NST Message:TA and Marian are climbing 8 volcanoes in El Salvador! Click the link to see which one! Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/StzAl/13.84649N/89.62766W If the above link … Continue reading →

It’s true that when I look at a mountain or volcano from the bottom, my first thought is usually, “I can’t do that.” Today, when we first saw Izalco from the highway on the drive, that same thought rippled through … Continue reading →

TA Latitude:13.81430 Longitude:-89.63171 GPS location Date/Time:12/22/2015 15:29:20 NST Message:TA and Marian are climbing 8 volcanoes in El Salvador! Click the link to see which one! Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/Ss-SB/13.81430N/89.63171W If the above link … Continue reading →

After ions of eruptions, the soil on the sides of some volcanoes becomes very fertile ground. When this fertile ground is combined with the proper altitude, it’s possible to grow coffee. El Salvador grows some of the world’s best coffee … Continue reading →

Ataco, El Salvador is a common stop on the Ruta de las Flores. It’s cobble stone streets, coffee growing, and colourful murals make it a popular place to catch your breath. Let me share of few of the many murals … Continue reading →

One of the many joys of leaving behind a snowy white world (don’t get me wrong I love winter and white Christmas) for a more tropical clime, is the flowers! El Salvador has not disappointed us in this regard, especially … Continue reading →

Today’s volcano was called Boqueron…Big Mouth! Rather than starting our volcano climbing adventure with a climb, we started it with a big descent into Boqueron’s crater. Somewhat reminiscent of the “Bog Down in the Valley-O” song, the main crater has … Continue reading →

Iglesia El Rosario is a fine example of “What you see on the outside is not at all like what is on the inside.” This architectural wonder resembles a concrete bunker on the outside giving only the slightest hints of … Continue reading →

Latitude:13.67661 Longitude:-89.24026 GPS location Date/Time:12/19/2015 10:55:58 NST Message:TA and Marian are climbing 8 volcanoes in El Salvador! Click the link to see which one! Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/SpK11/13.67661N/89.24026W If the above link does … Continue reading →