7summits - Nov 19, 2009 11:43 am Date Climbed: Nov 18, 2009
Mudslide Marathon :)
Left the town at 03.00 (AM). 2 hours in the dark over very muddy tracks. Breakfast at the first ut (KM7), lunch at the main refugio.
Summit at 10.00 AM, but no view due to rain.
Relax in the refugio a bit and back down in 5 hours. A bit too much for one day (1/2 marathon + 2.5km up and same down :)
Harder with muddy trails, but great scenery and a very enjoyable hike. My first time here, my friend Warner Rojas had lost count as he had been guiding here in earlier years!
jmitch421 - Jul 8, 2009 11:45 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2009
Route Climbed: Normal
beautiful scenery!! .. climbed up to the refugio the first day then summited the following morning and back down to San Gerardo
stayed at the Hostel Casa Mariposa right near the start of the trail .. highly recommend staying here
Oznid - Jun 13, 2009 11:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2009
First hike of the season
This hike features some good elevation gain! I am sore, two days later. Great views!
mthomas - Mar 14, 2009 8:29 pm Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2005
A long day climb
A long day climb, started in the predawn hours. 15 hours round trip.
ntlb - Nov 29, 2008 2:06 pm Date Climbed: Feb 18, 2008
San Gerardo de Ribas
Coming from Colorado, this was a very different kind of hike for us. The 9.0 miles up to the shelter on Day 1 took 8.5 hrs. We hit the trail at 6:00 AM. The elevation gain was 6100 ft, no switchbacks. The eye contact with a jaguarundi only 10 feet off the trail helped motivate us to pick up the pace for the last kilometer. We got to the Crestones base camp shelter at 2:30 and fell asleep immediately to the sound of rain starting to fall on the metal roof. Day 2 began at 5:30 AM. We made the 3.4 mi, 1,500 ft climb to the summit by 8:00. Then back to the shelter for a short rest before heading down the mountain. We left at 11:00 and the 9 mile downhill took 6 hrs, mostly because of the rain and mud. The steep mud slopes were slow and we slipped and slid often. We arrived back at the hotel in the village of San Gerardo soaked through, mud all over us, famished, mildly hypothermic, but happy for experiencing a unique place.
This is a good time of year for the trip. It doesn't rain much (except on the day of our descent) and there were few others on the trail and in the shelter.
You need a permit to do the hike, which is worthwhile because it helps support Costa Rica's extensive park system and controlled access. You can purchase the permit at the MINAE office in San Isidro de El General, but be forwarned, this office is open only very limited hours.
BLong - Oct 6, 2008 11:51 pm Date Climbed: Dec 22, 2006
Chirripo
Great climb! Christian is right, the permit is a bitch. I ended up not getting one and just went up for a 'day hike.' We were making such good time that we continued to the summit. It is a long trip to do in one day. I think we hit the trail at about 9:30 AM and got back to town exhausted at 11:00 PM.
I done in 6 hours to the top, back to refuge and next day climbed again in 2 hours with an Israelian guy... then back in 4 hours, but my feet are very tired and feel much pain, many climbers told me about the same pain in their feet. Nice views, but a lot of stupid permisions with a huge time in advance. So take your time to get the permission before (3 month less).
jvedros - Jan 17, 2008 3:30 pm Date Climbed: Jan 11, 2008
Normal Route
Beautiful hike. Stayed in Los Crestones, then summitted the next morning at 5:15am to watch the sunrise. I was able to see the Caribbean well and a little of the Pacific.
It is possible to go up and down in 12 hours. We only attempted this because there was no room at the hostel...we pushed to the summit in 7 hours and back out in 5...exhausting, but very rewarding! Would rather have taken my time.
FabienenCordoba - Dec 26, 2006 11:05 pm Date Climbed: Dec 20, 2006
Well worth it...
Easy walk-up, the most interesting part is perhaps the walk in the forest in the lower reaches of the itinerary.
2nd time there ! Up and down could be done in one day. Great fun.
smason505 - Aug 10, 2006 6:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2000
Route: Normal from Crestone base camp
I was with a group traveling through costa rica to do volunteer work and our main leisure time was a hike to the crestone base camp and a summit of Chirripo. Not a bad approach compared to many 14ers with great cold showers and awesome cliff jumping. We were promised a view of the pacific and atlantic, but after a nice hike the next morning to the summit, we arrived to thick clouds and very low visibility. It was my birthday, however, and I was given a huge bag of peanut M&Ms on the summit.
This was really good fun and the first time I went higher than a UK mountain! Very cloudy on the summit so want to return to see the apparently great views!
Route Climbed: Normal, overnighted at Llano Bonito instead of Hostel Date Climbed: June 29-July 1, 2002
Was able to get permission to camp in Refugio Llano Bonito at 7,800 ft. instead of the hostel at 11,150 ft. due to the hostel being full...reached summit at about 3 PM on June 30th, was completely socked in by clouds and descended in the dark for several hours back to Llano Bonito...fun climb, would do it again in a flash...
7summits - Nov 19, 2009 11:43 am Date Climbed: Nov 18, 2009
Mudslide Marathon :)Left the town at 03.00 (AM). 2 hours in the dark over very muddy tracks. Breakfast at the first ut (KM7), lunch at the main refugio.
Summit at 10.00 AM, but no view due to rain.
Relax in the refugio a bit and back down in 5 hours. A bit too much for one day (1/2 marathon + 2.5km up and same down :)
Harder with muddy trails, but great scenery and a very enjoyable hike. My first time here, my friend Warner Rojas had lost count as he had been guiding here in earlier years!
jmitch421 - Jul 8, 2009 11:45 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2009
Route Climbed: Normalbeautiful scenery!! .. climbed up to the refugio the first day then summited the following morning and back down to San Gerardo
stayed at the Hostel Casa Mariposa right near the start of the trail .. highly recommend staying here
Oznid - Jun 13, 2009 11:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2009
First hike of the seasonThis hike features some good elevation gain! I am sore, two days later. Great views!
mthomas - Mar 14, 2009 8:29 pm Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2005
A long day climbA long day climb, started in the predawn hours. 15 hours round trip.
ntlb - Nov 29, 2008 2:06 pm Date Climbed: Feb 18, 2008
San Gerardo de RibasComing from Colorado, this was a very different kind of hike for us. The 9.0 miles up to the shelter on Day 1 took 8.5 hrs. We hit the trail at 6:00 AM. The elevation gain was 6100 ft, no switchbacks. The eye contact with a jaguarundi only 10 feet off the trail helped motivate us to pick up the pace for the last kilometer. We got to the Crestones base camp shelter at 2:30 and fell asleep immediately to the sound of rain starting to fall on the metal roof. Day 2 began at 5:30 AM. We made the 3.4 mi, 1,500 ft climb to the summit by 8:00. Then back to the shelter for a short rest before heading down the mountain. We left at 11:00 and the 9 mile downhill took 6 hrs, mostly because of the rain and mud. The steep mud slopes were slow and we slipped and slid often. We arrived back at the hotel in the village of San Gerardo soaked through, mud all over us, famished, mildly hypothermic, but happy for experiencing a unique place.
This is a good time of year for the trip. It doesn't rain much (except on the day of our descent) and there were few others on the trail and in the shelter.
You need a permit to do the hike, which is worthwhile because it helps support Costa Rica's extensive park system and controlled access. You can purchase the permit at the MINAE office in San Isidro de El General, but be forwarned, this office is open only very limited hours.
BLong - Oct 6, 2008 11:51 pm Date Climbed: Dec 22, 2006
ChirripoGreat climb! Christian is right, the permit is a bitch. I ended up not getting one and just went up for a 'day hike.' We were making such good time that we continued to the summit. It is a long trip to do in one day. I think we hit the trail at about 9:30 AM and got back to town exhausted at 11:00 PM.
ChristianRodriguez - Sep 8, 2008 2:37 am Date Climbed: Jan 12, 2008
Normal routeI done in 6 hours to the top, back to refuge and next day climbed again in 2 hours with an Israelian guy... then back in 4 hours, but my feet are very tired and feel much pain, many climbers told me about the same pain in their feet. Nice views, but a lot of stupid permisions with a huge time in advance. So take your time to get the permission before (3 month less).
jvedros - Jan 17, 2008 3:30 pm Date Climbed: Jan 11, 2008
Normal RouteBeautiful hike. Stayed in Los Crestones, then summitted the next morning at 5:15am to watch the sunrise. I was able to see the Caribbean well and a little of the Pacific.
jdlee15 - Sep 5, 2007 1:43 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
Normal RouteIt is possible to go up and down in 12 hours. We only attempted this because there was no room at the hostel...we pushed to the summit in 7 hours and back out in 5...exhausting, but very rewarding! Would rather have taken my time.
FabienenCordoba - Dec 26, 2006 11:05 pm Date Climbed: Dec 20, 2006
Well worth it...Easy walk-up, the most interesting part is perhaps the walk in the forest in the lower reaches of the itinerary.
Fabrice.Rimlinger - Nov 11, 2006 5:11 pm Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2005
Normal route2nd time there ! Up and down could be done in one day. Great fun.
smason505 - Aug 10, 2006 6:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2000
Route: Normal from Crestone base campI was with a group traveling through costa rica to do volunteer work and our main leisure time was a hike to the crestone base camp and a summit of Chirripo. Not a bad approach compared to many 14ers with great cold showers and awesome cliff jumping. We were promised a view of the pacific and atlantic, but after a nice hike the next morning to the summit, we arrived to thick clouds and very low visibility. It was my birthday, however, and I was given a huge bag of peanut M&Ms on the summit.
jogi - Feb 1, 2006 6:55 pm
Route Climbed: via base crestones Date Climbed: 22 December 2005Relentlessly uphill, but well worth it for the different microclimates on the way up and the sunrise views from the top.
hawkman - Dec 31, 2005 4:03 pm
Route Climbed: Normal Date Climbed: July 2004Long, punishing two days. Got to see both oceans, what a view.
dsc101 - May 25, 2004 10:44 am
Route Climbed: Normal Date Climbed: July, 1998This was really good fun and the first time I went higher than a UK mountain! Very cloudy on the summit so want to return to see the apparently great views!
Kessler - Mar 16, 2004 6:32 pm
Route Climbed: Base Crestones Date Climbed: Feb 9 2004I was carried by dad at 20.5 months old.
mikethehiker - Feb 23, 2004 7:52 pm
Route Climbed: normal Date Climbed: january 2003Splendid hike, but strenuous especially at the "monte sin fe". Have to love the changes on the vegetation when you go up.
Kimberly - Feb 11, 2004 8:42 pm
Route Climbed: San Geraldo Date Climbed: Feb 9, 2004I cimbed the peak walking all the way. I'm also six months pregnant. My husband and son also enjoyed the trip.
Scott - Feb 11, 2004 8:40 pm
Route Climbed: San Geraldo Date Climbed: Feb 9th, 2004Great trip. I carried our 20 month old son to the summit.
TheThumb9787 - Oct 27, 2003 1:49 pm
Route Climbed: Normal, overnighted at Llano Bonito instead of Hostel Date Climbed: June 29-July 1, 2002Was able to get permission to camp in Refugio Llano Bonito at 7,800 ft. instead of the hostel at 11,150 ft. due to the hostel being full...reached summit at about 3 PM on June 30th, was completely socked in by clouds and descended in the dark for several hours back to Llano Bonito...fun climb, would do it again in a flash...