Hey guys, I know I'm not the most disciplined gal but I'm trying it, I swear it (≧▽≦)
Well... Where were We?
Oh, yes, We were at the hotel and knowing a lil bit of the town. Here a picture of Guican's park and church
Tickets and guidance
We arrived to the town at 14 hours aproximately, after leave our stuff and Esperancita at the hotel, We went right to parques naturales (PNN) office at Transversal 4ª # 6-60; it opens at 7 am and closes at 4:45 pm. I recommend to buy the entrance ticket the day before the walk and hire a guide to go to the snowy. You can find de prices calling to +57 (098) 7897280 but those are aproximately 15 USD the entrance to the park, 3 dollars for an obligatory insurance and 40 USD a certified guide (this one can be payed for each group),.
Since the park was opened to public again, is not allowed to camp or stay after 5 pm, and you cant enter either without a proper guide.
After buying some food for the next day adventure (peanuts, candys, sausages, and chips) We took a time for relaxing and see how the sun went into the mountains. (yas, it was so freaking cold, brrrrrrrrrrrr) and then go to the hotel for a well deserved rest.
The dawn, information and recommendations
We agreed to meet with the guide at 6:30 am at control point of PNN at Ritacuba's entrance, so We asked for an early breakfast at the hotel and at 5:45 We started our 15Km travel until control point, a road in not very good condition (even We fell and broke one Esperancita's handsaver because the slippery ground) there Was our guide, Ignacio waiting for us, so We left Esperancita there, drank a hot coffee, We putted on our motorcycle waterproof equipment, We took our bag with the food, 2 empty bottles, black glasses, and some practical little tools, We also were prepared for the weather wearing clothes accord to the 3 layers theory (Synthetic material fitted clothing, isolating clothing and waterproof clothing), We had multipurpose bands for covering the neck, ears and mouth and a funny owl hat. And our trekking-riding-not so waterproof boots.
So, We began our trek, beautiful landscapes in a rainy day, some little roads left by wild guinea pigs, and a path in front of us ready for being walked, from here until the allowed snowy area were almost 6 km, silent and focused on saving energy and enjoying the rain on our faces We walked, and walked, and walked, after almost an hour we took a rest for fill our bottles with the purest water coming of the snow, take some gulps and continue our travesy.
Snow
After another hour the rain got worse, but We were determined and keep moving until... Oh surprise, the rain slowly turned into snowflakes (We live in the tropics we had NEVER seen snow) was a magic experience, We sit under a big bent rock to shelter from wind and snow and eat some calories and carbs, enjoyed this piece of paradise for a while and when snow was soft again We kept walking, with the feet cold by the wet shoes but the heart warm by all the wonders.
Getting sick
Unfortunately I was not prepared for the height since I came from Cauca's Valley (A warm place where I live) days before so I got sick puking the face of the beautiful place that told me welcome (I felt bad for that, seriously) We had to rest two or three times but my determination was bigger than my stomach and head ache (obviously always respecting my limits). I recommend being in shape for this, is really exhausting and demanding so if you are planning to go, better prepare your body so you won't have to throw up your breakfast or die in the cold mounitain :v
We arrived (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)ﻭ
After more than 4 hours of trekking We arrived to the edge of the snow, is not allowed to climb or even step on the snow for conservation issues, but we had snow since hours before, so we took some pictures, rested, refill our bottles wit the purest of the waters and begun the descent, tired but happy, We were chatting about different topics; Ignacio told us that in his 15 years as a guide He saw snowing two times, this was his third time, so We felt really happy, blessed and lucky because in our very first time We found beauty, magic, silence, snow and white.
After another 3 hours walking We arrived to control point again, said goodbye to Ignacio and ride on Esperancita to go back to Guicán, take a warm shower, and rest for travel the nex day back to Cundinamarca.
I hope you liked this awesome adventure and someday can see by yourself all the beauty that awaits in the natural miracles of my country as Cocuy's snowy, see you in the next article! (✿◠‿◠)
