ART of Canyoneering

I promised to keep this blog up-to-date during this trip to Costa Rica. I’m failing to keep that promise. Just having too much fun.

Course finished on Saturday. Did the canopy tour on the hacienda on Sunday, then a hike in the Rincon de La Vieja National Park - volcanic activity resembling Yellowstone, but with monkeys and coatis instead of elk and bison.

Monday drove to La Fortuna. Dinner with Mauricio, his wife, Catia, and daughter, Jimena. Mauricio’s 36th birthday. Balance of the evening soaking in the volcanic hot springs.

Tuesday morning now. An early morning walk hunting for coffee. Breakfast and internet while I’m waiting for my laundry. Ride leaves La Fortuna at 10:30. Next stop, Tortuguero.

Quite a few photos to upload the next time I have (relaxed) access to internet. I’m sure I will have many more over the next few days.

Pura vida.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post

Started the course with six students. More are expected on Tuesday. Most are guides who must attend around their work schedules.

First day was pretty fast paced, moving quickly through knots and then on to personal rope skills on a 15 meter free hanging rope. The rope is part of the canopy tour (cables between platforms in the trees) here at the hacienda. Guests arrived at a platform above us. Rappelled from a catwalk across the canyon. Rappelled to a lower catwalk. Swung across the canyon on a rope. Climbed a rock wall (on belay) to another platform. Clipped in to another cable and disappeared into the trees.

I found it interesting that the belay on the rock wall was a 4:1 mechanical advantage operated from the platform above. Nobody fails to make it to the top.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post

Hacienda Guachipelin, Rincon de La Vieja, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Beautiful place for a canyoneering course. Looking forward to seeing the canopy and canyoning routes tomorrow.

There is a man here from Chicago whose 27 year old son disappeared in the forest back in August. The official search was called off. He’s still here looking; unwilling to give up. He and his wife are considering selling everything they own to fund their stay here so they can continue looking. I’m sure I would do the same if it was one of my sons missing.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post

Woke up this morning in San Jose, Costa Rica. My first trip here since September 2007. It has been much too long.

Canyoneering FastTrack Course starts Monday (Nov 16) in Rincon de La Vieja. My first time in that part of the country, so I’m really looking forward to it. Photos from the website look pretty awesome.

I actually remembered to bring my own camera for this trip, so I will have photos to post.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post

Rock Exotica developed two new figure eight devices - the mini and the micro - for special ops teams. I managed to get my hands on one of each and have been experimenting to see if I can come up with canyoneering applications.

The photo shows the mini eight rigged as a releasable block. Haven’t rappelled on it or lowered anyone with it, but it seems quick secure even without a safety carabiner added.

The loop going over the neck would be the lowering mechanism. I made a twist in the rope on the brake strand before looping it over the two horns. Kinda like a cleat hitch.

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post