Trip to Pico Duarte, DR
P. N. Armando Bermúdez
18 - 20 de March 2010

start later and not to wake me. That way we would have the summit to ourselves. He warned me to pack away anything that could attract or be chewed on by mice, which apparently infest La Compartición, but if they visited us during the night I wasn't aware of it. We were awakened by the others as they made their early start but were able to drowse until about 7 a.m. when I rose to

make coffee. The morning was cool and overcast, with a light drizzle falling. A few of the larger group had been unable to face the final climb to Pico Duarte and had stayed behind at La Compartición. It seemed a shame that they had come so far only to fail at the final hurdle, but they were no doubt conscious of the fact that they had another long day ahead of them on the trail to Valle del Tetero, where they were due to spend the next two nights. This would involve a return to Agüita Fría, where the trail to Valle del Tetero branches off towards the south. The couple accompanying their daughter had bought a tent along and this seems a good solution, giving them privacy and a mouse-free sleeping area.

Drizzly morning and student group's luggage.

We set off towards Valle de Lilís at 9:10 a.m. Initially the route was gentle but soon became much more demanding, probably #3 in difficulty of all the stages. Knowing that the climb to the summit should only take a couple of hours definitely helped sustain the effort. The other group started passing us, travelling back to La Compartición, and there were few smiling faces. The final student was being coaxed along hand-in-hand by one of the guides and the solo hiker (who had gone along with the students) was descending by mule. My friend opted for another uncomfortable mule ride when the slope became too demanding. We reached Valle de Lilís, where there is a clear view towards the summit, at 10:50 a.m. There is a remote meteorological station located there. The

remaining ascent looked a very easy stroll away and took us just over ½ hour. Toni left the mule tethered at Valle de Lilís, as they are not allowed on the last stretch of the trail, since it is too dangerous for them over the rocky terrain. I have read reports about skeletons of mules being seen near the summit, so this might be a recent restriction. There were fresh mule droppings halfway up the final stage, so it seems the rule is not followed universally. Finally, there it was: a large sign that said, "Welcome to Pico Duarte". We clambered over the last few boulders to where the bust of Juan Pablo Duarte was located, together with a very tattered Dominican Republic flag (these have to be changed every couple of months), and a simple cross, for the obligatory photos. There was still intermittent drizzle and fast moving banks

Valle de Lilís met. station and view of Pico Duarte.

of cloud being blown north-east through the col that separates Pico Duarte from the nearby twin peak of La Pelona, which is almost equal in height. Further refuge buildings were visible in the col, but Toni said they are little used since there is no water nearby.

View from Pico Duarte towards La Pelona.

Refuge in col between Pico Duarte and La Pelona.

View SW from Pico Duarte.

The descent from Pico Duarte and return to La Compartición was uneventful and relatively easy and we arrived back shortly before 1:30 p.m., so the round-trip had taken us about 4¼ hours. We heated and ate the remainder of the rice and chicken and then spent the rest of the day relaxing in

the now empty refuge and taking photos of the area. I asked Toni to 'unlock' the toilet block (actually just untwisting some wire) so that I could see inside. They weren't marked 'Ladies' and 'Gents'. In the evening Toni gathered some firewood and built a bonfire in the shelter and we passed a pleasant evening chatting with him and the ranger. As we

View from La Compartición.

View from La Compartición.

headed off to bed at 9:30 p.m. or so, Toni recommended a 7 a.m. start back to La Ciénaga but I preferred a more leisurely start and asked him (again) not to wake us. I felt no need to rush the return journey, confident that it had to be easier (and quicker) than the ascent. In the event I woke before 6 a.m. and had to knock on the door of the ranger's hut and wake Toni up in order to hand