Jamaica Blue Mountain Hike 2008 - Part II

It was pitch black outside as we started up the mountain slope. Apart from our flashlights and faint starlight from the starry sky, we could just see the glow of lights from the towns far in the distance. Later we were to learn that we were seeing the town of Yallas.

The night air was crisp but clear. I knew it would eventually get quite cold so I made sure to cover my mole with light headgear. With that, 3 layers of shirts a sweat top and sweat pants, I was probably the warmest dressed of the group. PL as usual was comfortable in a tee-shirt and knee-length shorts, with a camp shirt in case he got cold. The rest of the group wore varying degrees of protection between his and mine.

Our first challenge was Jacob's ladder. Now I know the reason for the name....it is an almost vertical, steady climb, twisting and turning past the different "rungs"of the ladder in an "S" like pattern as you ascend the mountain. It was a good thing we walked at night because shortly into the trek, most of us began to remove some layers. We were sweating and you could feel the burn in your hamstrings and butt as you stepped up the high rocks punctuating the trail. After a sweltering 1- 1/2 hrs, we reached Portland Gap.

Portland Gap is a ranger station set up by the forestry department. There are cabins there where you could also camp, it's the last source of running water and restrooms, flanked by a nicely manicured grassy area. None of this could we see in our upward journey as it was still very dark. All we knew was there was a nice piece of dewy grass to sit on, take a break, have a snack, drink something and prepare to move on again. It was also an opportunity to consume some of the load we were carrying in our packs that was by now beginning to feel quite heavy!

After only about 10 minutes, PL, "the General" was moving us along once again.
"No time to stop", he said, "We want to see sunrise at the peak! Saddle up and let's go!"

After Portland Gap, the two youngsters, or should I say young adults, in the group moved ahead of the rest of us a a pace! We lost sight of their flashlights in the distance. The trail is very clear though, so we knew they would not get lost. We would meet them at the peak.

The journey after Portland Gap was a steady walk in the dark. There was not much talking either as the older members of the group were now engaged in breathing heavily and focusing on that one more step! We couldn't even hear a peep from our usually most talkative member!

One step at a time, one step closer to the peak...yes we had to beat the sunrise. As the sky began to lighten, we started to ask that dreaded question...."are we there yet?" Our friend and guide from the area just kept urging us on. We passed what looked like the top of the mountain several times, only to find we had further to go.

Dusk met us about an hour away from the peak...yes, we missed sunrise. But I was certainly happy to see the surrounding mountain scenery and foliage quietly appear and hear the birds awaken with songs I had never heard before. With the sunrise deadline out of the way, we were able to rest more at a few view spots, take some pictures and enjoy the journey a bit more.

Finally, at about 6:50am we arrived at the peak! It was a fantastic feeling of accomplishment. We made it! Yes! While perusing the grassy knoll that is "the peak", we met two other small groups who were just leaving. Some of us climbed the trestle marking the highest spot on the island. We took out our breakfast supplies and got rid of some more load from our packs.

It was a clear morning, cold and breezy with bright morning sun kissing the dewdrops on the shrubs, flowers and grass. We looked up to see the clouds whizzing by. You could see almost 360 degrees around for miles and miles with the mountains and sea in the distance. It was fantastic !!! After about half an hour enjoying the peak, we headed back down. The young adults who had been up there for a while and were freezing their butts off, were anxious to get back down.

And so began descent, a torturous one for me and another member of the group who began to feel the body weight and pressure on our knees, about half way down the mountain. So very gingerly we took our time, sometimes with stick in hand, one step at a time. Despite that and with several stops along the way and again at Portland Gap, I was able to enjoy and take pictures of the beautiful and unique foliage and scenery. Even the painful trek down was great!

After a longer descent due to injuries, we reached back at Whitfield Hall just before 2:00pm in time for a rest, lunch and then to head down the mountain for our drive back to civilization. It was the first and last time for some of us but me, I will definitely do it again!

Blessings........

Jamaica Blue Mountain hike 2008

This week we left the pack to go on a long overdue overnight hiking trip to Blue Mountain Peak. I had been eagerly preparing for my first such hike for weeks by walking in our hilly neighbourhood and exercising along with Gilad DVDs. So well excited, I felt ready for the trip, 7 miles up and 7 miles down the steep mountain trails with a change in elevation of about 3,200 ft.

We set out from about 2:30pm to drive up to the end of the mountain road where you will find Whitfield Hall. We picked up a friend and our nephew along the way and were to meet four more friends up there. For at least half of the 2 hr drive, only a 4 wheel drive vehicle can make it....so you can imagine the country roads we had to drive on.

The scenery on the journey is gorgeous, but at no point in time can you actually see Blue Mountain Peak...the highest point in Jamaica at 7,402 ft or 2,256 m above sea level.

On arriving at the rustic Whitfield Hall hostel, nestled at 4,200ft above sea level, we were greeted by our hosts, Tiger and later Vinney. We also met the friendly farm dogs who we were told just might accompany us on our trip.

We were introduced to our 2 small rooms with bunk beds, bathroom facilities complete with running water like ice, the great room lit by a tilley lamp and the lovely outdoor garden. You could see, smell and feel the history in the old farmhouse.

When the others arrived, we had a lovely dinner cooked by Tiger in the small farmhouse kitchen, equipped with running water, stove and kerosene powered fridge and freezer. We then donned our coats and went outside to enjoy the starlight in the garden. Fireflies, called "peenie wallies", darted around, and cool mountain breeze enveloped us. I had never seen so many stars!!!

By about 9:00pm it was time to get some shut-eye as we were to start the trek at 2:00am in the morning. We eventually left at 2:30am for what we were told was a 3-1/2hr walk to the Peak. With coats and backpacks on our backs and flashlights in hand, our party of 8 headed off to greet the sunrise at the peak.

More later.......

Blessings to you and do come again!

Seeds are out ! ... and a few vacation pics

Hello again and blessings to you!

OK, so I've found the evidence of Tunda's plum eating spree. He's fine and he's passed the seeds through both ends! At least we know the seeds are not stuck inside and a tree won't grow in his stomach.

I have promised some pictures from my recent trip for some time now. Here are a few.

Enjoy and hope to see you again soon!

Pic 1. Sunrise over Gulf of Paria on the ferry from Trinidad to Tobago

Pic 2. Pigeon Point beach - Tobago

Pic. 3 Coconut trees in the breeze - Pigeon Point, Tobago

Pic 4. Parlatuvier Beach - Tobago

Back home and I missed the ordeal

Well here I am, back home after 3 fun-filled weeks in Trinidad & Tobago. Over the next few weeks I will share some pics from my trip.

While I was away reports are that all was not well with the Five-pack . The behaviour was not at all good, but to be fair it was not really their fault. There was accidental meeting between Rebel and the rest, which resulted on a wholescale attack on Rebel. Tunda, Zeeks and surprisingly Queenie turned on him for a foursome dog fight. Jiggy was no where to be seen, skillfully avoiding the confusion.

It all started with the meter man coming to read the electricity meter. Our helper Vee, who is normally very good with the dogs, called Rebel and Queenie onto the verandah so he could enter the yard safely. But she forgot to close the front door. Queenie, the escape artist that she is, quickly and quietly made her way through the house to the also open back door.

Well, Rebel decided that he would follow her! What transpired next must have been a blur of noise and action that only poor Vee was there to experience. I don't know who started it, but I can imagine the shock they all must have felt at the surprise meeting. From my own experience it is very difficult to stop the attacks even when separated by a chain link fence. So I knew Vee would have a hard time.

After filling and throwing a few pans of water at the rabble to no avail, Vee was finally able to grab Zeeks with two arms around his neck . Thinking it was Rebel, she tied him on a leash with relief that was short lived. She turned around only to see Tunda and Rebel still at it. Rolling through the grass they went, up and down the back yard, Tunda refusing to let go! Meanwhile Vee grabbed Queenie and ran her back through the house.

All this time Tunda and Rebel were still at it. Minutes must have seemed like hours. Eventually Vee said they got so tired they paused for a break and it was then she was able to grab Rebel and take him back through the house. By this time everyone was totally exhausted, including Vee, who was soaked with water from the futile attempts with the drinking pan. Rebel's exhaustion lasted for a few days well!

Vee checked out Zeeks and Rebel who seemed to get the worst of it and called the PL to let him know what happened. He was to check Tunda as Vee is afraid of Tunda. Although she knows him from puppy-hood, he barked at her when she came back to work ater 3 months of maternity leave. Since then she does not trust him.

There was no need for stitches. Zeeks got a few scratches, Rebel got puncture bites around his neck and ears, Queenie was OK and Tunda came through wihout a scratch. Rebel got a vet's visit, dressing with the magic purple Chlorotetracycline and Gentian Violet topical spray, precautionary screw worm powder, and some anti-biotic tablets.

By the time I got back there was little evidence of the ordeal. Luckily all's well that ends well. And poor Vee said she learned an important lesson - never again leave both the back and front doors open!!!