Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A minimum of two days is needed to climb from the ranger station in San Gerardo to
the summit and back, leaving no time for recuperation or exploration. It is definitely
worthwhile to spend at least one extra day exploring the trails around the summit and/or
the Base Lodge.
Hiking Other Trails
Most trekkers follow the main trail to Chirripó and return the same way, but there are sev-
eral other attractive destinations that are accessible by trails from the base camp. This will
require at least another day and real topographical maps. An alternative, longer route
between the base lodge and the summit goes via
Cerro Terbi
(3760m), as well as
Los
Crestones
, the moonlike rock formations that adorn many postcards. If you are hanging
around for a few days, the glorious, grassy
Sabana de los Leones
is a popular destina-
tion that offers a stark contrast to the otherwise alpine scenery. Peak-baggers will want to
visit
Cerro Ventisqueros
(3812m), which is also within a day's walk of Crestones. These
trails are fairly well maintained, but it's worth inquiring about conditions before setting
out.
For hard-core adventurers, an alternative route is to take a guided three- or four-day
loop trek that begins in the nearby village of Herradura and spends a day or two traversing
cloud forest and
páramo
on the slopes of Fila Urán. Hikers ascend
Cerro Urán
(3600m)
before the final ascent of Chirripó and then descend through San Gerardo. This trip re-
quires bush camping and carrying a tent.
Costa Rica Trekking Adventures
(
2771-4582;
www.chirripo.com
)
can make arrangements for this tour.
Sleeping & Eating
The only accommodations in Parque Nacional Chirripó are at
Crestones Base Lodge
(Centro Ambientalista el Parámo; dm US$10)
, which houses up to 60 people in dorm-style
bunks that have serviceable vinyl-coated mattresses. The basic stone building has a solar
panel that provides electric light for limited hours and sporadic heat for showers. Amaz-
ingly, it also has wi-fi. All crude comforts - sleeping bags, cooking stoves, blankets and
the like - should be rented in San Gerardo de Rivas, where they're ubiquitous.
Reservations are absolutely necessary at Crestones Base Lodge. Independent travelers
will find it's virtually impossible to make reservations before arriving in Costa Rica. In-
country, it's fairly easy to get a reservation at the ranger station directly. Payment is re-
