Volunteer Life Stories

Top of the World by Janet Espinoza

Yesterday Alan and I were higher than anyone else in the entire Caribbean, the first of our Peace Corps volunteer team to climb Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the Caribbean. We both agree that it was the most physically challenging activity that we have attempted or completed in our lives.

With our guide, one of his sons, and two mules (one for food/supplies and the other for emergencies) we climbed on Saturday from eight in the morning until almost six at night. Actually Alan and I climbed while the guide and his son rode the mules. The climb was grueling, but the weather cooperated being sunny during the morning and somewhat cloudy in the afternoon. We were exhausted when we arrived at the base camp where most people stay before the final ascent. Our guide fixed dinner while we set up the tent, and we were asleep by 8 p.m. ignoring the sounds as people partied around camp fires.

Sunday morning after eating banana nut bread we left at 7 a.m. under sunny skies and climbed for three hours to reach the top. On a clear day you can see forever. Words can't describe the sights and our feelings as we looked at mountains all around us, close by and far in the distance and all on our island. It was wonderful to be with just the sounds of nature and our own thoughts.

Then it was back down to base camp where we had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before we packed up everything and headed down, Actually the first part of the down from base camp is up and up over a very rocky path, and I elected to ride the emergency mule so that we had some chance of making it most of the way back to La Ciénaga. On upward climbs at that altitude, I found myself resting frequently and catching my breath. The mule was very nice, but I didn't enjoy the ride so I started walking as soon as the path went down again. Alan really hoofed it out and got to our stopping point in time to bathe in the river and relax before the guide and I arrived at about 6 p.m. After a dinner with pasta and salad, we had smores around the camp fire. It was much warmer sleeping, but we tossed and turned all night with aching muscles.

We were up before sunrise today, enjoyed a breakfast of oatmeal and raisins, and then walked the last hour out. Just past noon we got a "bola" (a free ride) on a truck that had brought up supplies for a building project. It was definitely my lucky day, because the truck was going back to Moca. What could have been a very tiring afternoon of changing vehicles and paying fees at least three times, became a direct ride to the entrance to Higüerito. I walked the last mile in to my house very content with what we had accomplished this weekend. Then I showered and took a nap. Now I can hardly move. I am stiff and have muscles in my legs that don't want to move.

I proved I could, am glad I did, and feel no need to climb another mountain.