Now that's a campfire! Intrepid travellers pitch tents on the side of active 12,000ft volcano ... as plumes of smoke billow hundreds of feet in the air

Photographer Matthew Karsten gave up his day job to go travelling
He spent two days climbing 12,400ft Santiaguito in Guatemala
They pitched tents on side of active volcano, capturing stunning images

By Carol Driver for MailOnline

10 November 2014

It's a dangerous trip which most holidaymakers would do their best to avoid.

However, one intrepid traveller has taken trekking to new heights - building a campfire on the edge of an active volcano.

Matthew Karsten, from Florida, spent two days on the 12,400ft Santiaguito, in Guatemala, after giving up his day job and setting off to travel the world.

Smoking view! Matthew Karsten and his travel buddies pictured camping by Santiaguito volcano

Head for heights: Matthew gave up his day job to go travelling - including visiting an active volcano in Guatemala

The 33-year-old travel blogger has spent the past four years visiting an amazing list of locations after he quit his job as a nightclub photographer in Miami.

Matthew said: 'I wasn't happy with my life as a nightclub and event photographer, so I decided to save money and travel the world.

'My trip began in Guatemala - it had a little bit of everything, interesting culture, beautiful landscapes, and tons of adventure activities.

Intrepid traveller: Matthew Karsten pictured heading to Santiaguito volcano

Long way down! Matthew take a shot at the mountains below from Santiaguito volcano

'I travelled to the city of Quetzaltenango to see the Santiaguito volcano erupt from a distance, and met a guide who said he would take us camping on it.

'Hiking up to the edge of an erupting volcano is not something that you can do in the US.

'It was thrilling and exactly the type of experience I was hoping to have on my journey.

The peak of Guatemala's Santiaguito volcano - near which Matthew and his friends camped

Smoke from the volcano obscures the visibility as Matthew and his friends make their way to Santiaguito

'The volcanic landscape felt alien, like we were exploring a new planet. There were strange rock formations, steam vents in the ground, and weird plants with giant leaves.

'And the eruptions themselves were incredible to witness up close. It felt like a true adventure with a hint of risk.

'People can't believe their eyes when they see the images, and I don't blame them. It looks like something out of a movie.