Volcan Baru, covered by clouds
This beautiful Central American country - which borders Colombia to the south and Costa Rica to the north - is a 7 hour flight from Argentina. Next destination was the mountain of our goals. First meeting of the Pan American Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing, which would be issues related to such activities, including a Congress of Ecology of Mountain Ecosystems, and then the ascent of Volcan Baru, which at 3,475 meters is the tallest Panama.
Panama City is the capital and largest city of this republic. It stretches for several kilometers along the Bay of Panama, the Pacific Coast. After meeting the delegates from the continent within a few hours of arrival in this metropolis, it is inevitable to allocate half a day to visit the famous Canal, in an approximate length of 80 km connects the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic side) with the Pacific Ocean in one of the most narrow of Central America. This engineering work early 20th century, was inaugurated on August 15, 1914. Do not fail to impress, distributed along its length 3 locks system, two channels each, which rise about 26 meters to the ships on the sea level, to lower them again to across the isthmus. Since December 31, 1999 the Republic of Panama assumed full responsibility for the canal.
Panama A longitudinal cross it from west to east two mountain ranges that form a region of hills and valleys covered with thick vegetation, and provide training to many rivers and streams that flow into the two oceans. While in Argentina we enjoy four distinct seasons in this part of the world are practically a winter and summer, and the only difference seems to be in "summer" (May to November) is the rainy season (wet season ), not raining result in "winter" (Dry season). The humid tropical climate results in temperatures exceeding 20 ° at sunrise and range from 35 degrees at noon. During our stay - June - despite spending a lot of heat is hardly saw the sun of Panama, which was almost obscured by clouds dropped rain in the hours of higher temperatures.
On June 23, after lunch, we depart from the capital, passing the Bridge of the Americas, linking the Channel coasts facing the Pacific, and internally by the Pan American Highway, which connects Panama with the rest of Central America , pass the towns of Santa Clara, Rio Hato, Pueblo Nuevo and Anton and entered in the Province Coclé to Penonomé. At the junction, which has led to Sonadora Penonomé, we headed to our destination would be the "eco-resort hotel Posada del Cerro de la Vieja, about 30 miles away. We pass villages like Churuquita and Caimito, where the latter finished the floor and began a difficult dirt road, which allowed us to reach Posada. This stunning resort, located at position 8 ° 39'56, 80 ° 12'04 2N, 2O, and the 420 meters above sea level, is surrounded by rivers and waterfalls and also has a bird viewing and butterflies, mud baths, and a curious hill in proximity, (Cerro de la Vieja) which gives the name. We stayed in comfortable thatched cottages in the style of the primitive natives of the region, fully armed with overlapping palm leaves. From our room we could see we were surrounded by a thick forest that was lost in a horizon dotted with mounds and slopes too wild. In our transfers to the center of meetings we had a chance to see some green iguanas, chameleons and variety of insects and birds with colorful plumage, all very rare for many of us.
The afternoon of the last day of our stay in place, and preparing for the expedition Baru Volcano, we left at 16.30 to climb the nearby Cerro de la Vieja. During the first trip we went down to a depression in the 360 \u200b\u200bmeters, over which towered into the sky cloudy, with a steep green slope of 140 feet, the Cerro de la Vieja. Then we walked between the wild weed for a very narrow, muddy track that wounded her and continually disappeared.
Cerro de la Vieja, on the rise The slope was extremely steep for what he had to cling to vines and branches that we crossed our path, and often to put up Boot from litter and roots with the consequent fear of touching or stepping on a snake, which we knew had numerous and varied existence.
Cerro de la Posada de la Vieja Luckily the climb was fast. In 30 minutes we were at the summit, at 500 meters above the sea. The celebrated, despite the slight rain that had begun enjoying a view of total and green environment that included the roofs of buildings near our inn. Soon we began to return, with the same care as with the rise but could not avoid slipping a few times tilted by soil moisture. Luckily we had at all times where cling.
next day, some delegates to leave at the capital, to return to their countries, but others from Argentina, Brazil, Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Panama, forming a group of climbers would address, at seven o'clock , a "goat"-kind of collective of two long sides and seats where you can not stop a person-to Penonomé. This town owes its name - Ghunter explained, the Mountain Activity Group of Panama - an Indian called Nome, who sadly died after losing his beloved in the hands of a conqueror, Indians leaving for his lost soul. Result was the area where Penile Nome, and so it transpired until today the name of the place. From there empalmaríamos to continue on the Pan American Highway, heading to Costa Rica, to the city of David.
Though we were on the Panamerican Highway could not get a bus line that had the nine seats needed. We should agree on the local terminal, after long negotiations with the owner of a small bus that we would transfer $ 250, including return to Panama to the volcano area. In an effort to not lose the opportunity to refine the issue forget to consider the size of the vehicle. I realized in travel times not being able to stretch their legs. We left at last and after an hour for lunch we stopped in Santiago. Continuing then to David, the capital of the province of Chiriqui, near and in Costa Rica. We reached the edge of town and started a diversion from north, passing through Los Algarrobos Dolega and finally, after looking at the bottom of the imposing Baru skyline framed by clouds, Boquete. Pernoctaríamos there in the stadium "Los Naranjos", a sports center which is the pride of this town. Since the departure of Penonomé had delayed almost 5 hours and we felt like sardines. Boquete
a so-called "energized." It is at the 1,085 meters high from the sea, which gives it special characteristics. Enjoys cool and pleasant climate. Abound with colorful flower gardens. In my opinion, and apologizing for the quick comparison, a "little Switzerland of Central America. Their homes with architectural mix that aims to be uniform and its hilly streets, they blend gracefully into a cloudy green environment surrounded by rivers and streams, which protects your screen the dormant Baru Volcano. There are a lot of tourism and movement denotes new and modern businesses, which are mixed with traditional people. Boquete is also a center - the fourth largest in the world - to which many retirees come wealthy first world to live quietly and peacefully their retirement years. We accommodate
backpacks in our room and went back to town to have a hot chocolate at La Casona Mexicana, "which was more than special because we taste while falling through the window saw a faint and pleasant drizzle. After sending some emails, buy a portable radio (the representative of the Federation of Brazil wanted to listen to the game the next day would have his country against Germany for the World Cup), cross the square and main streets, and return for bed very early as the promotion plan Baru required to begin the climb to the one in the morning, to avoid exhausting the heat as possible and to return the next day to night in Panama capital.
We were accommodated in a sports arena industry, dedicated to hosting delegations, which is separated from the rink by a small hall, roofed by the galleries. At 10 we were lying in our bunks when suddenly began a basketball game that originated screams, sounds of drums and shrill beeps that allowed us to rest next to nothing. Agreed the final sporting event with our preparations to leave. The grueling journey, coupled with bad we did not break felt desire to climb any mountain.
After the one o'clock we came up with the vehicle to the area of \u200b\u200bthe volcano. At 1.30 hours it gave us the 1,670 meters high and since there were no road conditions for a normal vehicle. Under the dim light of a waning moon and surrounded on all sides of shadows, we loaded our packs on their backs small and closed group began to climb. Two hundred feet above was the access to the park and a sign that read darkly "Baru Volcano 13 Km" Between yawns, and some other uncontrolled eyes closed in sleep began the first hours of our heavy climb. At two-thirty am moving above 2,000 meters, at four of the 2,500, there is still 7, 5 km road to the summit.
The headlamps lit up the winding path studded with boulders and potholes caused by long shafts of torrents to lose height, so we should be careful not to trip or fall. At five-thirty in the morning we were in the 3,000 meters, still 4.5 miles ahead and I vislumbrábamos trees and undergrowth around us. A six-thirty we passed the 3,200 meters, and our eyes could see the wet tropical forest vegetation was beginning to have a lower height. The summit remained to a mile. Recently at quarter past seven crowned the field of pre-summit of this dormant volcano found in the antennae of the main channels and radio stations of Panama. The height of 3,451 meters. A soft rain and an icy wind did not stop huddling in the backpacks we searched all possible food. There have breakfast to calm the exhaustion and fatigue. Olavo was turned on the radio listening enthusiastically as Brazil won the World Cup. Everyone welcome almost as if he had played well.
already something in the stomach we headed through the rain toward the true summit, a hundred meters ahead. We overcame two rocky promontories and soon found ourselves in the large cross indicates the summit. 3,475 meters height and position 48'551N 8 ° and 82 ° 32'555 °.
But we felt that we needed air. In our mountains to the nearly 3,500 meters and altitude sickness manifests itself, especially when they are made very quickly. Here we are not happening, but the cold that produced the moisture-laden wind that flowed from one ocean to another, made us blush the fingers and become clumsy our work with them. We had gone from sweltering heat to an unexpected and unbearable cold. We could not stay very long looking at the scenery. From this summit is covered perfectly the two oceans, the Atlantic and Pacific. But the dance of northern clouds prevented us from seeing the Atlantic and only allowed us as a hazy blue line while in the distance, see the Pacific. We took the obligatory pictures and eight o'clock we started back to the point where we would pick up the 12 hours the micrite. It took us four long and tiring hours off that did not stop us marvel at the lush vegetation of this mountain, and the distance the town of Boquete that stretched elegantly, a thousand feet below, around a green valley in part by shifting clouds roof.
A ranger to see us not fail to scold us for uploading night and talk about the dangers that that involved both lose power as reptiles, jaguars and pumas that live in the jungle area. We understood when we explained we move in groups, following the path and progress monitoring by the GPS points and we took what we had previously stored the path, including the summit. More then entered into trust told us some history of this National Park, established in 1976 and has an area of \u200b\u200bapproximately 14,300 hectares where the months of April and May can see the Quetzal, a beautiful and very rare long-tailed bird, which lives in Central America. Returning
the full light of day let us see onion crops cultivated by indigenous purebred, that inhabit this area of \u200b\u200bthe slope of the volcano and whose women still wear their gowns (skirts) and traditional costumes. Soon we reached the truck and was waiting for us, and after returning the road, surrounded by plantations of coffee, went back to Boquete. Just after 12.30 we started the return of approximately 460 miles that separated us from Panama capital. After more than 6 hours of traveling we arrived. Some of us had that night to take aircraft return. Were grueling hours, but the effort was worth it, we crowned the greatest vantage point of Panama, and beheld a sight that would have envied Balboa, the discoverer of the Pacific Ocean.
Altitude:
3,475 m above sea level.
is the 1 st Summit of the Republic of Panama.
Location:
is located in the Chiriqui province, about 6 hours drive from Panama (475 km.) Near the border with Costa Rica, in position 8 ° and 82 ° 32'555Oeste 48'551Norte.
Difficulty:
Technically easy. Rise in forest environment, very different from what we used in our latitudes it is recommended to do with people who have previously uploaded. His rise is specified between 4 and 6 hours after admission to the park. The descent takes about 4 hours until the ranger cabin.
Team:
is done for the day. Hiking boots. Mountain shelter half. Team windbreaker.
backpack with food and 2 liters of water. A stick or rod.
Access:
From the capital of Panama, the Pan American Highway reaches David, 8, and 82 ° 25'758O 26'683N. There are bus services from Panama to stand in David. In this city is abandoned to the Pan American Highway North, coming to Boquete where can by taxi - it costs about U $ S round 5 and should agree to return - come very close to the control of Baru Volcano National Park .. Upon entering the park must pay an entry fee of U $ S 3 for foreigners. For further details and itineraries see story.
Accommodations:
Available from David, capital of the province that has an international airport closest to the volcano, in Boquete, which suggests overnight. Jaime Suárez
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