Bucket List
18 June 2013 | Soufriere, St. Lucia
Doug
Yesterday at 7:30 a.m. Ranger Peter picked us up for a Gros Piton hike. His step-son “Cream” was along as our guide. Next we stopped at It’s Perfect to pick up Rod and Linda who we recruited to go along.
Meyka said this climb was a “bucket list” item. Her bucket lists are apparently open ended with fresh additions appearing regularly. My “bucket list” is to keep her happy.
A fast boat ride took us to a “wet landing” at the base of the mountain. It was one of the coolest beaches I have seen. A small mountain-cold stream split the beach, fishermen’s bright colored boats dotted the shore, and a genuine Rasta man had a small restaurant with coal fired fare. My kind of place!
Cream led the way up the trail from the beach to the main trail. This 17 year old walked for approximately 5 hours barefooted up and down the trail. My puppies were painfully bruised walking in my trail approved Teva’s. Tough kid.
The trail was extremely well maintained. A dread coiffed guy passed us on the way up with a machete and bottle of rum. “Trail maintenance worker”, Cream explained.
We climbed and climbed endlessly. At a sweat soaked break, Cream said, “Half way.” “You’re kidding” we laughed. He wasn’t.
I don’t know the pitch but it was extreme. After we negotiated a particularly steep part, Cream said quietly, “Now the real climbing starts.” We repeated our previous laugh until we realized that Cream wasn’t a kidder.
Getting regular exercise has been tough since we’ve been cruising full time. We do hike as much as we can and stay active in the water. We are still moderately fit. This hike was right at the edge of my fitness level though.
After more than two hours we stood at the top of Gros Piton’s 2916 feet elevation and the view was amazing. Well worth the pain and suffering. Other hikers joined us at the top apparently equally whipped. We rested, drained our water bottles and snacked. Then down, down, down we went.
Not called a rain forest for nothing…the skies opened and the trail became a stream. Finally, when the beach trail split from the main trail, Cream called Ranger Peter to pick us up. The boat ride back was exhilarating with the 30-40 knot gusts blasting down the Pitons. Back on the boat, we recharged on beans and rice, cold beer, and good memories.
One more bucket list item that lived up to its billing—awesome!