And the mist clears....

Whether still misty and wet like a gail roaring over the ridgetops.

Pump water, brush teeth, down your coffee and put on your boots.

Stay close-- easy to get lost in the fog. Now follow me North. Long hike today all the way down to the lower camp.

Hang a sharp left at the ridgeline gate--wind full force like a hurricane!

Zigzap down through the paramo and the mist clears just long enough to see the valley below. I can see La Libertad and the valley of our lower camp. Gorgeous....

I know where I am now. I have never finished this route in its entirety.

Descend still further into the low tree line. Pines giving way to low stunted trees--lusher and lusher as you descend. Tropical green and slippery mud. Half run hop down the trail far ahead.

Eating up the miles like a wolf's trot--always far ahead scouting. Just try to keep up with me.

Bird calls in the trees--yellow rumped mountain caciques, brush tanagers, phoebes, and wood creepers. I smile watching them forage through my binocs.

Almost there...wade through the Rio Tamemanga and follow the horse hoofs down the trail.

The forests gets thicker. More giant tree ferns, clusia, podocarpus, and bright yellow asters.

More birds! A bright red and yellow fellow, a woodpecker high on a rotted trunk. Torquise jays and pygmy tyrant flycatchers too.

I can hear the distant shouts of children and lowing of cattle now in the valley.

Shaking hands now with Romero--catching up but not a good day. A good alpaca was killed by a puma in the night, ribbed open belly. Maybe it was our puma.

Welcome to the lower camp guys!

Herb tea I picked on the way down and a show around, but can't stay long. Long hike back and I dont want to be caught out at dark.

I take up the rear this time encouraging our stragglers. They can do it, poco a poco ya...

Climbing up eyes on the trail lost too deep in thoughts. My mom told me you can't just shake off sadness like raindrops. Yep.

Oooohh, a good sweat. Emerging back above the tree line. Room to breathe.

Perch in the wind above the oppresive claustrophobia of the jungle.

Look back and the mist clears again. This place is spiritual for me.

And now, a good luck omen buzzing messages in my ear--irridescent purple tail, shimmering green breast and black mask sipping on wildflower nectar :)

Excellent timing. These guys are amazing. Only 4:30 with a few thousand foot elevation difference.

Raul and the guys come over for dinner. Mac and cheese followed by the last of our chocolate. Delicious.

Gracias, gracias, gracias...nos vemos manana. Ciao!