May 2–8, 2007, Number 145
Click on photos to view larger images.The Green Mountain
This past weekend I traveled to Monteverde, Costa Rica with my school. This was the last school-scheduled trip, and everyone was excited to visit a new place.
The Spanish word Monteverde means "green mountain" in English. This description is rightfully fitting to this area. The drive up to Monteverde is stunning. The gravel road is windy, and it travels up the steep mountain range. There are lush, green covered mountains as far as you can see in all directions. Cows and horses are seen grazing throughout hilly pastures. Oftentimes cows would even be walking down the middle of the road. We had to dodge cows like we have to dodge deer in Michigan. We had two exciting adventures planned for the weekend. First, we went hiking in the Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde. The next day we went flying above the treetops on a Sky-Trek tour.
Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde is a huge nature reserve and probably the area's main attraction. The reserve is made up of 5,000 hectares filled with amazing plants and animals. Two percent of the reserve is occupied by 13 km of hiking trails. According to the reserve, there are 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 500 species of butterflies, 120 reptile and amphibian species, 2,500 species of plants, 500 species of trees and thousands of species of insects. The reserve is often referred to as the cloud forest because it is located 5,000 ft above sea level on the Tilaran Mountain Range. Northwest winds from the Caribbean region carry humidity with them to the Tilaran Mountain Range. The Mountain Range then forms clouds that transfer into rain by intercepting the northwest winds. As a result, at certain times during the hike, you would be surrounded by clouds and you could look off a cliff and see the mountains below you covered in clouds. The temperature was cool in the forest and there was a constant light rain that caused a refreshing mist. This cool weather was a nice break from the unbearable heat of Puntarenas. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the opportunity to see many animals, although I did see a few birds and some insects. I did get the chance to walk across a hanging bride that extended above the trees and I saw beautiful scenery.
This picture is of my friends Jon and Mike hiking in Monteverde. Rain jackets and warm clothes were needed.
The next day we went on a series of zip lines, also called a Sky-Trek tour. I had already done a similar zip line in La Fortuna, but I was excited to try them again. After putting on a harness and helmet, I was clipped to a zip line cable and grabbed on to a pulley. Then, I was sent zipping along the treetops, over amazing views of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. There were 11 zip lines that varied in length from 120 feet up to 2310 feet and from 60 feet high up to 480 feet high. The Sky-Trek tour was really exciting and it was a great way to end a fun-filled weekend.
There is only one week left of classes. Everyone here is beginning to reflect on the past four months and it’s really interesting to hear how different people have viewed this experience. I am looking forward to reflecting on Costa Rica and studying abroad in my next article.
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Take care!
- Michigan Technological University
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