My first trip to Chirripo National Park 1979

My first trip to Chirripo National Park 1979

As times change, the first time I climbed I was 12 years old, I was in the Guides and Scouts of Costa Rica was 40 years ago, we went up in two stages. What we lacked most was the water miscalculation "we had to eat rice to the shampoo", so much the water was missing that we sucked the water condensate in the store, before this crisis to find water we raise the camp at midnight, we walked like a Km and we found a zinc can with perforations indicating <- water 150m, what joy, without light and between logs we descend a slippery slope to the creek, no accident then to sleep on logs. Already during the day almost all we hit, stumble or fall on the threshing floor. From there onward the last climb, the savannah a beautiful place.

As the shelter of that time (earthen floor, walls of tin cans like the roof, and by bed two huge staterooms for 8 people each covered with the same straw that produces the savannah) was busy we prepared the stores of Sleeping campaign By way of bliss the park keepers were pitied and allowed us to sleep on the floor of their house.

The next day, the most impressive thing was to see the spikes of the grass frozen by a drop of water that fell to them, and then the sun appearing on the crestones. The bath in the creek that passes by there the most shocking electric experience I have experienced since to play of brave I got nailed and the clash with the cold water was extreme and more come out and feel the breeze.

Now if the last stretch to arrive properly to the peak, a really light walk without much load (each one of us went up with approximately 20kg of load the first two stretches, good beasts were).

Climbing to the peak and reading the notes of those who had arrived before us some with a little humor reminded us that they were already in house comfortably watching TV, warm and eating well.

The landscape is still engraved in my eyes like that day.

A little frustration because from the peak the nearby mountains give the feeling of being higher (mere optical effect).

The descent that lasted two days ascending by excess of contemplation; I did it in 3 hours.

I liked it so much that I made that trip several more times and now with all those pluses and comforts as I am tempted to return, it is a magical place to contemplate magnificent views and see our inner being.

A greeting for all my comrades of the troop 6 of the movement guides and scouts of San Isidro del General who shared that first trip.