Pico Duarte trip-fun, yes, climb a success - no

It can be hard to see the happy face on a mountain climbing trip that doesn't culminate in climbing a mountain.  But I'll give it a try.

The climb was too difficult for my level of conditioning, I imagine I could have done it at one time but since I am more of a flat-lander I don't know for sure.  The trail started out with some flatter sections at first and short ascents, but after about 4 km it changed to long, steep sections with minimal flat stretches.  Did I mention the mud?  It had been raining for several days, though not on Friday for out climb.  The trail is also used by pack mules and is deeply rutted. We were forced to try and keep to the sides where it was more solid, but the slanted sides made it slippery.  As a result I quickly dehydrated and fatigued, only about a third of the way, probably about 7 km I needed to turn back. 

We still had a good trip overall, we talked with some interesting people and saw parts of the country we wouldn't have otherwise.  The living conditions are better understood when you dip your toe in them. We slept the first night in a motel, we had water in our sink and a toilet but electricity only for a few hours in the evening.  The next two nights we slept in a room at the visitors center on mattresses,  we had a toilet but no electricity.  We had flashlights but no lanterns, early to bed and early to rise for us. It was also noisey there because many people were camping around the visitor center balconys and hallways, and they kept arriving during the night.  The locals have intermittent electricity, I am not sure about their water source and I know lots don't have indoor plumbing.  So camping every day with no money for fancy gear.





Elder McDermid in our Rancho Wendy room.




Banana tree at Rancho Wendy



View near La Cienaga

Proposed route, I almost made it to La Cotorra.



On way up we had 7 people in the cab, this same truck had 7 in cab and 8 in the box on way back home.




This hummingbird had the bright green back, but wouldn't hold still.




Mulo jam on main road to La Cienaga and park entrance.




Some looked more like horses, though small (POA?)




Yaque river near visitors center.




Trail head sign




Sorry, out of order, but so handsome.



Rancho Wendy, winter flowers.



Winter rose Ranco Wendy




Victor and Tony loading our mulo at base.



I survived to rest on the porch at Visitors center

Dominican driving is to be constantly on alert for potholes, animals and the other drivers and motos.

The poor Dominicans will share whatever they have.

Street market in La Vega



Planting rice near Bonao.



 So we saw many sights, had some good interactions, and I nearly croaked.  All and all not a bad break.