Trip report from Coen Driessen:
Last Saturday I went to climb relatively unknown San Martin Pajapan Volcano and because there is not much information and/or pictures on the internet about this volcano, I have added some pictures so you might want to post it on your website for general use.
To climb the mountain you'll have to go to the town Pajapan. There aren't many locals who know the way all up to the top, but after asking around for about an hour we met a man named Roberto Martinez Martinez (Adolfo Ruiz Cortines # 45, Pajapan, no phone) who works in the 'biosfera' on the mountain and has an excellent knowledge of the area. It is strongly recommended to use a guide because of the vast jungle and very few trails.
The hike to the top takes about 3-4 hours and is mainly dense jungle. There is not too much of a trail to the top, so mostly you'll have to use a machete to cut your way through. There are many monkeys living on the moutain (mainly on the upper part ) which makes it quite interesting. From the top of the mountain you will have an excellent view of the sea and the city of Coatzacoalcos.
Roberto, the guide (54-years old), told me that several months ago a scientist stayed at the top for about a month, documenting all flora and fauna existing on the volcano. Probably he has much more information about the volcano.
There is just one steep part where you have to pass through some sort of a canyon which is quite steep and slippery (because of loose sand, leaves, tree branches etc), but that is the only difficult part.
The spot where the Pajapan statue was found is, as far as I understood from the guide, between 2 outcroppings somewhere on the top. We did not pass by that spot on the route we took. I do think however that Roberto, the guide, knows exactly where the statue was located.
All in all it is a great trek and definitely worth a visit.
If you need more info, you can mail me at coendriessen@yahoo.com
Thanks Coen, when I make it to the top, I'll be toasting you.
