One for the trekkers.

[El Presidente]

Not startrekkers.  Fuzz and Smithy can stand down. 

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-hikes-in-caribbean

Best trekking in Cuba

22.5-25km (14-16 miles) round trip (distance dependent on route), 1-2 days, challenging

Trekking in Cuba can be an epic experience, especially if you choose to climb Pico Turquino. The country’s highest peak at 1974m (6476ft) requires a guide to the summit, but these can be booked with companies like Ecotur in Santiago de Cuba or Granma Province.

This is one of Cuba’s most challenging hikes and it can be done as a one- or two-day trip. Located in Pico Turquino National Park in southeastern Cuba, the mountains here are densely forested and feel far removed from coastal Cuba. There are more than 100 species of plants in this park and along the lower portions of the trail, you’ll pass montane forests before ascending into cloud forests.

This hike also has a historical element as it sits in an area that served as a stronghold for Fidel Castro and Che Guevara’s rebel army that ousted Fulgencio Batista in 1959. At Turquino’s summit, you’ll also find a bronze statue of Cuban national hero José Martí, which was moved here in 1953.

If you chose the two-day hiking option, you’ll hike 13km (8 miles) to the summit on the first day and then descend to the community of Aguada del Joaquin. Here you’ll spend the night in a rustic mountain shelter and complete the final miles in the morning.

If you want to do this Cuban trek in just one day, however, you should take the Las Cuevas route on the southern coast of Santiago de Cuba province. Note this is an intense trek that is a hefty 22.5km (14-mile) roundtrip. It takes about six hours to reach the summit and another four to descend, so you’ll need to depart by 6:30am at the latest.

A hike to the top of Mt Christoffel will give you unrivalled views of Curaçao – pack your camera © Getty Images/iStockphoto

[Corylax18]

I hiked to the top of the next mountain over, where Fidel's Hideout was located, in 2017. It is grueling. Hot, humid, steep, muddy. But absolutely beautiful. No snakes, but earthworms the size of snakes! I'll post some pictures when I can fire up my personal computer later today. 

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Comandancia+de+la+Plata/@20.0176378,-76.9028813,16277m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8ed1b749aa7615ff:0xb1286fd097761930!8m2!3d20.0107691!4d-76.9097805

[Corylax18]

Pico Turquino is just over my right shoulder in the first photo.(your left 😉) It appears similar in height to the peak over my left shoulder because its about half a kilometer further away. I'm standing at the farm shown in the first google maps link below. Its still a working coffee and citrus farm. I had the best cup of coffee, ever, in history at this farm on the way back down from Commandancia de la Plata. (3rd link) The owners of this farm protected Fidel and the few handful of soldiers he had left, they also provided food and other necessities. Bautista's troops questioned the owners several times, but never hiked up the hill past it. 

This hike took all day from Alta Naranjo and back, including the drive to/from the national park from Bayamo it was pretty much dawn to dusk. The second Photo is of Pico Turquino from Alta Naranjo. I cant wait to get back to this part of the country again. Its very different from Havana and even Pinar del Rio.

 https://www.google.com/maps/place/20°00'43.3"N+76°54'09.6"W/@20.0093701,-76.9020353,885m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x419ddc06aa3b4dfc!7e2!8m2!3d20.0120337!4d-76.9026657!5m1!1e4

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mirador+El+Alto+del+Naranjo/@20.017311,-76.8980754,194m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8ed1b742de50dfe5:0x53b77d54a5518875!8m2!3d20.0173!4d-76.897823!5m1!1e4

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Comandancia+de+la+Plata/@20.0106153,-76.9114669,684m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8ed1b749aa7615ff:0xb1286fd097761930!8m2!3d20.0107691!4d-76.9097805!5m1!1e4

 

No Pictures!!

 

Organic, Fire Roasted, Hand Ground

 

I Got Worms

 

Tactical Maps and Communique 

 

The Money Shot

[Lewberry]

Epic hike of a lifetime!!!

[El Presidente]

Well done Corey!

[Corylax18]

12 hours ago, Lewberry said:

Epic hike of a lifetime!!!

Very different than the stuff I'm used to here in the Rockies or the Sierra's, but it was a challenge for sure. 

We actually never got back up to the height that I live at. (roughly 5,280'/1600m) So the elevation wasn't an issue at all, but it was all in 90f heat and 90% humidity, so staying hydrated (and fighting a hangover) where the hard part. Haha. 

[Fuzz]

On 1/4/2023 at 6:47 AM, El Presidente said:

Not startrekkers.  Fuzz and Smithy can stand down. 

 

And here I thought, "Finally! Rob has come over to the geeky side of the road!!