Hotel La Rosa's Climb for Charity

Yay, we did it!  For two days in December,  three climbers and a local guide hiked over 40 km to achieve the summit of Cerro Chirripo, the tallest point in Costa Rica and return.  This climb was done to support the Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary in the Nicoya Peninsula, an organization working to draw attention to illegal poaching in the many National Parks of Costa Rica. 
Alongside the Owner of Hotel La Rosa de America, two Canadians and a Costa Rican Guide climbed for charity.  Raising a total of $225.00 USD for Rainsong the climb was a success.  We are hoping to repeat this success again in February as our donation goal is $500.00.  Our secondary goal is to educate interested people in the importance of wildlife preservation in the Old Growth Rainforest such as that found in the Chirripo area. 

We arrived about three hours late in to San Gerardo de Rivas, after a rather torturous climb over the Cerro de Muerte where there was a large landslide that caused significant detour into the steep hills to the south (where our Toyota fell into an enormous hole...).  We met our guide on the night of the 4th Dec and went over trip plans.  After a supper at the Hotel Uran in San Gerardo, we retired for the night.  Morning came at 0430 hours and we rose for an early breakfast.  We entered the trail head at about 0530 hrs and began our climb through ankle deep mud!  Fortunately this lasted only until the Kilometre One Signpost.  After that the trail became drier and easier to hike. 
After about two hours of steady climbing, we reached the actual National Park Gates at Kilometre Four.  Though this area was pretty, it was about to get much more spectacular as we entered the area of original growth forest.  Huge ceiba tees, dense moss, "Old Man's Beard" and hanging vines were everywhere.  To add to the mystery, a mist clung to the canopy giving a very surreal feeling to the landscape.  We continued until reaching Llano Bonito (Beautiful Plain) just past Kilometre Seven where we stopped for a quick lunch at the shelter located there.  In four hours we had already climbed three thousand feet above our starting point. 

The middle third of the climb saw the rainforest give way to cloud forest, which in turn gave way to a bamboo forest before dying out altogether as forest gave way to alpine meadows, flowers and bushes.  During this middle third, the tired remark from one hiker became the quote of the trip... "agg..  it hurts to chew" !!!  This comment was expressed during a particularly challenging area of switchbacks and steady climbing.  Around the Kilometre Eleven area we entered the portion of the climb called "The Burns", an area devastated by forest fire some twenty years ago.  Due to the high elevation (around 9,500 feet) the flora is much slower to recover then it would be if located in the lowland rainforest.  We continued for some time through the Burns, followed by the rather not motivating sign entitled "Monte Sin Fe"  or Mountain Without Faith.  Past this point, the original inhabitants of the area would not go due to religious beliefs.  Prior to reaching the Base Crestones area where we planned to rest for the night, we had to first hike over the final hill before the camp.  Aptly named "Repentant" we made it to the top and saw our Base Camp located just past Kilometre Fifteen nestled in a valley under the striking peaks of Los Crestones.  To this point Cerro Chirripo was nowhere to be found.  We had hiked for approximately 8 hours.  Clouds began to roll in and though we had excellent weather for the climb, sunset was not be in the cards for us.

After spending the night at Base Crestones, and enjoying a hot supper, "bird bath" and a sleep in a bunk bed, we set off at 0400 hours for the peak five kilometres distant.  After a two hour climb in the darkness with only the millions of stars for light, we achieved the summit of Cerro Chirripo.  Almost until the last moment did Chirripo remain out of sight.  Just before sunrise, we crested a saddle between two peaks thinking we were almost there.  Only then, in the distance looking like a black cloud did Chirripo reveal itself - complete with frigid forty knot winds and frost on the rocks.  We achieved the summit about ten minutes before sunrise and as a result, had time to enjoy both the view and our accomplishment!  Returning to Base Crestones, we first passed through the moraines of ancient glaciers enroute to the Valley of Rabbits (Valle de los Conejos).  After a short breakfast, we then continued down the mountain arriving at our Hotel before supper.

All in all, it was a successful trip.  Though we had planned for five climbers plus a guide, two were unable to make it at the last minute.  Still, the climb was a great experience, and made better though the satisfaction of raising money for a worthy cause.  For anyone interested in taking part in our second planned climb in the third week of February, please contact Hotel La Rosa de America at info@larosadeamerica.com  or visit us on Facebook!

Happy Trails and Merry Christmas!