Daily Photos 2010
December 18, 2010 - The Arenal volcano ! We hiked the gruelling Cerro Chato hike followed by the trail down to the La Fortuna waterfall & up. After a rice-and-beans traditional breakfast, we started the hike at 8am sharp and we were dropped off at our hotel at 5pm, completely beat & dead/dying/lifeless. Skipped lunch, skipped dinner. Took 5-6 tylenols each, had a bunch of guavas, hit the bed & woke up a half hour ago at 7am. Quadriceps in no position to walk, very, very tired. About the hike itself : it is the toughest hike we've done so far in our life. And that's saying something. We've scaled Mt. Marcy, Mt. Algonquin, Mt. Katahdin, done the Canyonlands trail, so many other brutal ones. Cerro Chato is on a whole different plane. It starts out quite flat & benign with lots of birdwatching opps. Then suddenly the hike takes a 45-60 incline through the rainforest. Its not really a hike, more like a climb. You need both your hands & you land on your palms & butt most of the time. Its very slippery due to the rainswept rocks & terrain. And of course its the tropics, so you can step on a camourflaged reptile curled up along the path & not know it. Yes, we spotted a fer-de-lance!!! Will post a picture soon. They are the most venomous snakes in Costa Rica. Cause the most snake fatalities in the country. I'd have been okay if we spotted it far away on a tree or something. It was literally curled up on our trail, so we were less than 1 feet from it. And I'd have stepped on it if I hadn't been paying attention! Close call. We took pictures so we could show other hikers on our trail so they are careful not to step on it. Cerro Chato is a dormant volcano & the hike takes up right up and into the crater of the volcano. From here, we can look straight at the Arenal volcano, which is an active volcano & right across you. This is possibly the closest you can get to Arenal. One could climb the Arenal itself, though that's illegal & off limits, but our guide claimed to have done that. Once you are on top of Cerro Chato, you get the best view of Arenal, and the hike down is what kills you. The upward hike is all climb. The downward hike is mostly jumps. You jump through muddy swamps & through tree roots. At 3pm we finally arrived at La Fortuna waterfall, and had a sandwich, before starting off yet again, down the 94 steps to the La Fortuna waterfall. The waterfall was absolutely spectacular, gorgeous blue. Got drenched. Spotted a 3-toed sloth on our way back. By now our quads were in no shape to continue, yet we somehow pushed our way through. All in all, it was fun! Here are a few more colorful accounts of Cerro Chato from fellow travellers. 1. http://www.folinazzo.com/blog/hike-to-the-top-of-cerro-chato-volcano.html 2. http://www.summitpost.org/cerro-chato/474411 3.http://www.explorecostarica.com/newsmanager/publish/Arenal_La_Fortuna_Attractions_Cerro_Chato_Volcano_Hike_Northern_Zone_Costa_Rica.shtml
MyLeroyPhotography
on January 1, 2011Wow, I didn't know anyone else was using Smugmug for their 365 Project. Glad I stumbled on here. I love your passion and hope I can keep up with you next year.
photosbycraigwhite
on December 12, 2010So stunning
Marichal Claude
on December 8, 2010Superbe galleries,merci.
zakir hussain
on September 16, 2010Excellent photographs!!
Holiday in Australia
on August 25, 2010I am a fan of wildlife photography. You have captures very precious moments in your camera. Good work.
chris
on August 10, 2010Wow - just stumbled on your site while trying to decide whether to upgrade my smugmug site. Your images are outrageous! You look like you are living MY dream!
Amit
on August 4, 2010How do u get time for Such fantastic pictures to shot.
fatima
on April 6, 2010hi,i think you and your camera make a great couple..i loved each and every photograph.through your camera the world is a beautiful place.your photographs make life worth living on this planet.cheers!!!!
Crusies
on March 30, 2010An individual crane spends about 29 days along the Platte. During that time, it will deposit up to a pound of fat, which provides the energy necessary to complete the migration and initiate nesting.
Murali Santhana Photography
on March 27, 2010Superbley done.
agilitypics
on December 20, 2010Superb! Sound like a wonderful (but dangerous) trip... be careful!
paulbellinger
on December 20, 2010Sounds like you are having an amazing time in some amazing natural scenery! Savor the moment!
irishmurr
on December 19, 2010Gorgeous colors and comp -- stunning pp!
sharkbayte
on December 19, 2010beautiful shot! can't wait to see the rest!
Curtis Budden
on December 19, 2010Stunning image. Thanks for sharing the background story. It sounds like your having quite the adventure there. Ten cuidado!
428857RichardKane
on December 19, 2010astounding, fascinating stuff. bravo!!
fotomom
on December 19, 2010Big wow on the scenery in this shot and the colors. It pops!
Another wow on the scary snake. Glad you saw him first! I am fine with snakes if I see them and it's my choice to get closer. I don't like almost stepping on them either, and apparently that's not your ordinary snake.
There's a climb behind my house in the woods that I've basically crawled up to get to the other side, but for only 50' Can't imagine doing it for very long. Sounds like a workout!
Enjoying sharing your trip with you.
John Bennett
on December 19, 2010Wonderful shot, and it sounds like my kind of day out :)
Kerry Milkie Photography
on December 19, 2010Terrific perspective - and cool capture!