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COSTA RICA | Puntarenas, Costa Rica Travel Guide
Saturday, May 11, 2024
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Chirripó National Park
Chirripó National Park
Contiguous with Costa Rica’s largest national park, Parque Internacional La Amistad, Chirripó National Park contains Mount Chirripó, Central America’s tallest peak at 3,820 meters/12,530 feet, as well as two other peaks over 3,800 meters/12,500 feet. It became a park in 1975 – yet only 25,000 years before, glaciers covered this mighty mountain range, leaving carved, U-shaped valleys and clear-water lakes. Atmospheric conditions can vary greatly by altitude and change unpredictably. It can be very windy and cold – the lowest recorded temperature is -9°C (16°F). At mid-level the humid and cold cloud forest is characterized by tree-size ferns, moss, bromeliads, orchids, and towering (50-meter/164-foot) oak trees. At about 3,400 meters/11,152 feet, a tundra-like plateau, known as a páramo, begins. The highest parts of the park contain the most-visited important geological and ecological zones, including Sabana de los Leones (Lion’s Savannah), where puma have been spotted; Cerro Chirripó; and Valle de los Lagos (Valley of the Lakes). Chirripó means, “Land of the Eternal Lakes” in the indigenous language.
The best way to appreciate the park, other than turn the heater on in the car as you drive Cerro de la Muerte, is a two-day or longer hike to the summit. There is a new 60-person capacity, park-operated shelter, Crestones Lodge, six km/3.7 miles below the peak. Make reservations through the park office, below. Bring warm clothes, poncho and rain gear, food, plenty of water, dry clothes and a very good sleeping bag (you can rent blankets, sleeping bags and cook stoves at the lodge). Some tours operators will help outfit you. Reaching the top does not require any climbing skills, and the hike in general is not super difficult, but the first day is especially strenuous (nine-12 hours). Some hikers choose to camp en route and take two days to reach base camp. Dedicated naturalist hikers can stay at the lodge and do day hikes to the various fascinating zones within the park.
Last updated October 29, 2010
Posted in Costa Rica | Puntarenas
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