| Pico Duarte: 7/2008 Trip Report |
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| Pico Duarte: 7/2008   | 
| Page Type: Trip Report Location: San Marino, North America Lat/Lon: 18.85431°N / 70.83984°W Date Climbed/Hiked: Jul 17, 2008 Activities: Hiking Season: Summer | Page By: hiker08 Created/Edited: Aug 10, 2008 / Aug 11, 2008 Object ID: 430356 Hits: 594 Loading... Page Score: 86.06% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Pico Duarte PlusSPECIAL NOTE: A few years ago, there was a huge fire that destroyed most of the forests in the national park that includes Pico Duarte. Even the forests in and around Valle Tetero were burnt out. For this reason, the views were disappointing. I was also disappointed because no one on the Internet blogs had mentioned this beforehand. So I’m telling you now. For me, the mountains themselves supplied the personal gratification. But for scenic views and splendid pictures and green forests, forget it. These forests will not grow fully back for another 15-20 years. Burnt wood and rocks are more than plentiful in these mountains.
Tuesday: Fly into S.D. late (A.A. has 2 flight delays and lost my backpack in Miami). I checked into a cheap hotel in the colonial section of the city for the night. (Note: Taxi’s charge 30US to city. Just hanging around the café area, I met a guy who offered to take me in for 20US).
Wednesday: Took bus to Jarabocoa (Note: Cost-6US. Caribe Tours has service directly, but not every day. Espinal leaves for La Vega daily—from there take a gua-gua to Jarabacoa). In Jarabacoa, I asked around for a gua-gua to La Cienaga—found one in 5 minutes. Cost-9US). Once in La Cienega, just ask someone about needing a guide for the mountains—you’ll have one within the hour—a bunch of them live there, so don’t worry about getting one. In case this turns out wrong, there are guides in the town down the road. Hired guide and stuff (Note: My guide wanted 25US/day for his service and the mule. Since I was alone, I told him 20US—take it or I’d find someone else. He accepted. I also had to pay for his food. I had my own supply-Don’t give him money to go buy the food. Go with him and itemize everything you buy and measure it out. The cashier will still stiff you, but it will be less than if you handed your “stranger guide” a wad of money. I refused to pay for another mule, but you have to accept the risk if you’re not a strong hiker. I saw some tourists who never made it to La Compatacion have to “mule it” back down”). Slept in tent at park entrance for the night--free.
Thursday: Started hiking at 730AM (Note: I would start earlier—maybe 5AM-- if I did this again. Hike from La Cienaga and made it to La Compatacion by 530PM. (Note: This was a long day as we walked this entire trip while the skinny mule carried our stuff. The hike is relatively easy until Aguita Fria where the “rock trail” rises and falls. La Compatacion has newly constructed shelters, but they were locked up. The area has very little space to pitch a tent--land slopes and donkey crap covers the place. I pitched my bivy behind one of the kitchens-my guide slept in the old shelter (Note: Even in July, the valley wind blows through the area, so it does get chilly at night).
Friday: Hike to Pico Duarte summit—takes 3 hours to walk—I bring my backpack with amenities. Sit on rocks, take pictures, reflect, close my eyes and rest. Spend some time up here if the weather is nice. Back down to La Compartacion—2 hours.
Saturday: Hike summit again in AM (Note: I noticed that the AM turned out to be the best time to summit. Mist and Clouds covered the summit by afternoon. Back down to La Compatacion for the second day and evening.
Sunday: Hiked from La Compartacion to Valle Tetero (Note: Guide took a shorter route but it was very slippery). The Valle also had a newly constructed shelter that was filled with tourists. I set up my bivy back in the valley. This place was also covered in donkey crap—I mean all over. The river was refreshing for bathing and washing clothes. Spent the evening in the valle.
Monday: Hiked from Valle Tetero to La Cienaga (Note: My guide tried to get more money out of me—than agreed upon—told him to get lost). Hitched a ride to Jarabocoa with some tourists. Took a Caribe Tours bus to S.D. Cost—6US. Checked into hotel in Colonial District for evening.
Tuesday: Took Caribe Tours bus to Barahona-6US. Took gua-gua to Pedernales-6US. Told motorbike dude to take me up to mountains. The idiot toke me to Playa de Aguilas. Spent day and night on a deserted beach next to a seafood restaurant. Slept on a lounge chair 20 feet from the waves under a moonlit, stary sky.
Wednesday: Moto-dude came back and took me to the boarder. Took a side trip to Haiti for a few hours. Moto-dude took me to gua-gua stop (Note: I had originally agreed to pay the moto-dude 30US to take me to the mountains and to come and pick me up. Since he screwed up my day, I told him I would pay him 20US for everywhere he took me. Took gua-gua all the way back to S.D--15US (Note: Pedernales to S.D. is a long-ass haul—not for the wary traveler). Check into hotel in Colonial District for evening.
Thursday: Leave for home (Note: I got the hotel receptionist to arrange a taxi for 18US to the airport).
I loved the D.R. Would go back again to hike other routes and explore other areas. People were super friendly and helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.
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