Climbing the Tallest Mountain in Costa Rica - Part 1: Preparation

Costa Rica is an amazing country, completely deserving of its name and fame. It is rich in natural resources and activities for people of all interests and abilities. What attracted me to the country were its extensive mountainous regions with practically unrestricted and unlimited hiking opportunities. Coming from Transylvania, where you are not advised to go hiking without a group of people and pepper spray, lest a bear find you on your way, I was really happy to be able to do some good hiking there and not have to listen for heavy footsteps in the woods.

Besides the lighter day-hikes, Costa Rica offers many more challenging opportunities for the adventurous spirits. And looking for such opportunities was when I found out about Cerro Chirripo, the tallest mountain of the country. Towering at 3,820 meters above sea level, it is a challenging hike up 14 kilometers that requires a good level of fitness. The hike itself can be done in one, two or three days. I opted for the two day option, going up to basecamp on the first day, then hiking to the top and returning to the valley on the second.

Booking your spot for the hike

I was lucky to find an opening in the schedule about a month before I wanted to go. Usually tickets go 3 to 6 months before the date, but I recommend checking the official SINAC government website regularly because occasionally there are cancellations. That was my luck too. First you create an account, which is very useful because through there you can book your entry tickets to all the major national parks in the country. Once you book your spot on the website, you receive a confirmation email with the option to pay for your accommodation on the spot, the day before the hike, if you are a foreigner. It is always better to double check, since the rules can change from time to time. Just drop them an email at info@sinac.go.cr and someone will get back to you with the information.

People will generally agree that this is not an easy hike. Even if you divide it up between two or three days, you are still climbing more than 2000 meters in altitude in just 14 kilometers, which is a steep elevation gain. Not only do you need your strength to climb the continuous inclination, but you have to be comfortable at the higher altitudes. I recommend doing a couple of hikes above 2000 meters before heading for Chirripo. There are many opportunities in the Center and South of the country for that, such as Pico Blanco, I wrote about that hike here.

Watch out for altitude sickness

For those not familiar with acute mountain sickness, it is a physical state of illness caused by sudden gain in elevation and lack of oxygen. Symptoms usually range from mild to severe headache, nausea and confusion. It is essential to train your body and gradually help yourself get used to the altitude, because once the sickness starts, the only surefire way to treat it is to get to lower elevations as soon as possible. So with a hike as meticulously planned as Chirripo, you might just lose your chance altogether if you get sick on your way up.

However, if you train properly and prepare yourself, it is an unforgettable experience, one for the bucket list of any hiker or mountaineer. Reaching the summit on a clear day, one can see both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. On a two or three day hike you can wake up early and watch the sunrise from the top of the mountain a truly remarkable experience.

Equipment

As for equipment, it is essential to bring layers of clothing that you can take off or put on as necessary. The trail into the national park starts from the little mountain hamlet of San Gerardo de Rivas, which is hot and dry on any normal day. But the further up you go the mountain, the temperature drops and in the evening at basecamp it will get close to zero even on a good day. Another indispensable piece of equipment is a headlamp. Many recommend starting the hike before the sun comes up as to avoid heat and even going for the summit for sunrise will require you to walk in complete darkness. So be prepared with a good lamp and backup batteries. You will need a high factor sunscreen to protect you from the high ultra violet rays of the sun on the mountain, as well as a good hat and long sleeved clothing. A good pair of sunglasses will also come in handy to protect your eyes. And of course, plenty of snacks and a bottle of water.

There is a little café and snack bar halfway up the mountain, which is a godsend both for the way up and down. There you will be able to stock up of snacks and water, use the restroom and catch up with other hikers.

The experience of a lifetime

Once you are prepared, all you need to do is wait for the big day of your hike. I do recommend going for the two or three day option so you really have time and energy to take it all in. It is an absolutely gorgeous hike and the adventure of a lifetime. Going there you will experience Costa Rica from a perspective that few get the opportunity to do. Stay tuned as next week I am going to share my own experiences hiking up Cerro Chirripó.

If you have any questions about preparation or getting your permit, feel free to reach out for more information.