When you think adventure you don’t typically think Mexico City. But just outside the City is an adventure that can be had with the help of a local man from Switzerland. Yes, I said local man from Switzerland. If you’re up for something a little off the beaten path, a little more adventurous, and physically challenging then look him up and take a little trip into the volcano with him.
Not too early of a start results in a 9am meeting time where Reto kindly introduces himself. This is only the second time I’ve booked an ‘experience’ through Air B&B. The first was also in Mexico City, a Lucha Libre mask and match. Also quite a fun experience. After introductions and a short walk to Reto’s car we are off for a short drive just outside of the city itself. On the way the 4 of us have a chance to get acquainted and learn more about our host Reto. Originally from Switzerland he has traveled the globe seeking out adventure and exposure to other ways of life. But why Mexico City? Because “it doesn’t snow here and the food is good” he said…. A funny thing to hear from a Swiss, but whatever works.
Reto takes us up the side of a hill in his car and finally comes to a stop… “This is the place” his thick accent spouts out. We pile out of his car and grab out things. He quickly divides up some safety equipment and we are off. The trail is steep up the side of what I though was a hill… I find myself oddly out of breath (seeing as my house sits in the Rockeys at 9500 feet I don’t usually get out of breath) until he explains we have passed 10,000 feet. Much higher than I had anticipated. 
After a little while of climbing the steep trail the it levels out and we are suddenly treated to an amazing view of the city, and then the caldera of a volcano. Reto explains to us that the volcano has long been extinct but was responsible for destroying the community which resided here a thousand years ago forcing the survivors to move out of this area and into the nearby Pyramid of the Sun area. 
The steep up hill turns into a loosely graveled and steep downhill as we descend into the caldera of the volcano. A few slips and a few falls later we arrive at the bottom where there is a massive lava rock in the middle. From this vantage point you can really get a feel for how large the crater is. Reto explains to us that this is one of his favorite places in Mexico as not many people come here and you can’t hear any of the trappings of the modern world. He was right, it was peaceful, quite, and free of tourists. After some pictures, a snack, and a few stories we had to begin our steep ascent out of the caldera. The ground was much more firm however just as steep as we climbed out of the large crater.
Once at the top Reto explained a few more things about the area and told us he had been exploring this area for a few years now. That’s how he had decided to begin guiding people into this area, it was his favorite place to go and he wanted to share it. Next he was really going to show us something special… the lava tubes formed by the volcano. A short hike down the side of the volcano and past a few houses led us to an area with some oddly upturned rocky outcroppings. As we approached them we realized that these were actually the tops and roofs of the tubes.
Reto told us he had explored all of the caves he could find in this area and was excited to show us his two favorites. We followed his lead down past a sinkhole (Reto explained it was probably a lava tube collapse that had formed it) to a very large hole in the ground. After a little class on repelling we were ready. Reto tied off the ropes and carefully threaded the down a hole in the rocks which seem to drop off into nowhere. “You’re first” he said to me (which I secretly was hoping he would say as I’m always up to be first leaping off into the unknown) and I scampered up to the hole. 
The rope slipped easily through the 8 plate as I dropped into the hole in the top of the lava tube. As I moved quickly down and past the initial opening I was greeted by a large cavern. On one side it was green and lush where the roof of the tube had collapsed and on the other: dark and ominous. I reached the bottom, disconnected and soon after everyone else descended the rope behind me. How fun to repel into an lava tube. Although the tubes didn’t extend for miles they were still fun to explore. The first tube Reto claimed as his own and named it Mouth of the Devil (Boca Del Diablo). The second tube wasn’t quite as exciting to get into but was still very fun. The calcium carbonate on the walls reflect light as to look like large veins of silver. A few small squeezes and fun climbs later and the adventure was over. We were on our way back to the car. On the way back Reto took us by one of his favorite place to grab a quick bite after a day of being out in the wild. 
We all had a few quesadillas which were quite good and very cheap. It allowed us an opportunity to reflect on the excitement of the day as well as refuel. Each of us enjoyed a different part of the day but we all agreed that it was an unique and fun adventure found just outside of the bustling capital city of Mexico.
