SOUFRIERE, St. Lucia – When visiting a Caribbean island, travelers are often ready to be met with crystal clear waters on beautiful beaches, delicious tropical fruit and exciting water activities. But if you’re someone like me, you also look for adventure when visiting the islands by the Equator.
St. Lucia deliversit all, which is how I found myself at the base of Gros Piton on the cusp of one of the most challenging hikes of my life.
Don’t get me wrong, I knew what I was getting myself into. I even wore my hiking boots on the plane.
St. Lucia, in the eastern Caribbean between Martinique and St. Vincent, is a volcanic island, with 75 named mountains. Gros Piton is the second most prominent peak on the island and a popular hiking spot, sporting a 2,619-foot elevation gain.
The mountain is located on the island’s southwestern coast and is one-half of the Pitons, the other being the steeper but shorter Petit Piton beside it. Both are dwarfed by the tallest mountain in St. Lucia, Mount Gimie, which, at 3,117 feet, is the 17th tallest mountain in the Caribbean. All three mountains can be climbed as part of St. Lucia’s Three Peaks Challenge.
The Pitons are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the namesake of St. Lucia’s local beer, Piton.
But back to the climb.
The sign marking the beginning of the Gros Piton hike in St. Lucia.Zachary Smith, cleveland.com
On the day of the hike, two things were evident as soon as I stepped outside for my ride to the base of Gros Piton.
First, it would be much hotter than I would ever consider for a hiking day in Cleveland. While the temperature read somewhere in the high 80s, it easily felt like it was in the 90s. It was the perfect beach day, which led some of my friendsto opt out of the hike. It was also far from the ideal temperature for hiking for me, which I like to do in the 50- to 70-degree range.
The second thing was that it was certainly going to rain.
Which wasn’t necessarily a surprise. October is the rainy season in St. Lucia, and it rained on parts of the island each day of my trip. But it added a timer to climb. Not only did my group of three have to summit Gros Piton and hike back down, but we had to beat the storm if possible.
All was clear when we arrived at Fond Gens Libre, the village at the foot of the mountain, where we checked in for the hike, received ourmandatory guide and listened to a preview of the next five hours of our lives.
You cannot hike Gros Piton without a guide, whose primary purpose is to keep you on the trail, provide history and information about the mountain, and monitor the group’s ability throughout the trek.
For good reason. While the hike of Gros Pinton is a day trip, it is, on average, a 2 1/2-hour trek up with three mandatory stops between the base and the summit and the same amount of time back down. The upper half of the mountain turns into a sheer climb, although there is an established path and mountaineering equipment is not necessary for the trip. Snacks are recommended and the guide checks to ensure you are carrying the required 1.5 liters of water per person. Then you are on your way.
A view of St. Lucia from the first mandatory stop on the hike up Gros Piton.Zachary Smith, cleveland.com
The first 30-minute leg is nothing unfamiliar to anyone hiking some of the more advanced trails in Cleveland Metroparks’ Brecksville Reservation. A relatively consistent incline of dirt roads, stairs and stones leads the way to the first mandatory stop, which also offers the last chance to purchase additional hydration in the form of a coconut, or, more importantly, its water. My group purchased one per person and continued, feeling good about the first leg.
The second 30-minute portion is not so easy. The combination of the heat, elevation and tropical climate begins to take its toll, with a steady stream of sweat running down my forehead and back. I became acutely aware of how much water I carried on my back and that I should drink more. My group pulled ahead of me while I worked at a slower pace, often alone.
But that gave me time to observe the transitioning nature as I continued the climb. Sand gave way to stone, tropical plants only seen in greenhouses in Cleveland flourished and I saw some flora I’ve never seen before. Nearly 150 plant species can be found in the Pitons.
After stopping at the second mandatory stop, we began the hike’s third and most challenging leg.
A view of St. Lucia from the second mandatory stop on the hike up Gros Piton.Zachary Smith, cleveland.com
There are multiple reasons for its difficulty. First, this leg is nearly an hour long, which is the total time and most of the distance of the first two legs combined. The second is that the hike becomes more of a climb. The dirt path gives way to climbing over roots and rocks, with only an unsteady railing offering assistance along the way. The third is that the tropical rain forest we were working through left me overheated.
But still, I slowly climbed through the forest, over the boulders, and unbeknownst to me, into the clouds.
The third mandatory stop felt bittersweet. Having a moment to rest after an hour of climbing was most welcome, but almost immediately our guide told us not to take too long. If our muscles started to rest, he said, the last leg would be much more complicated than it needed to be.
This is advice we took to heart, and our group packed up and started our last 30-minute leg, which was difficult due to the exhaustion, but relatively peaceful and straightforward. I didn’t think I had another leg like the previous one in me.
A view of St. Lucia from the peak of Gros Piton, as clouds roll in from an incoming storm.Zachary Smith, cleveland.com
Once you summit Gros Piton, you immediately get a view of St. Lucia that goes on for miles, seeing multiple towns, mountains and even the neighboring Caribbean island St. Vincent.
We were also met by one of the many wild cats that call St. Lucia home, this one at the top of the mountain, acting as the summit-welcoming committee.
I wish I could tell you that we spent a lot of time looking at the breathtaking view. But as my group sat, hydrated and had a snack, clouds began obstructing the lookout point and in the distance, thunder was heard.
The race to the bottom began.
A cat at the peak of Gros Piton in St. Lucia.Zachary Smith, cleveland.com
To cut to the chase: We didn’t beat the rain. On the firsthour-long portion of the hike back down, the skies unleashed a storm, soaking us to the bone and weighing down our bags, clothes and shoes. The rocks and roots became slipping hazards as you tried to find footing while holding onto the railings. You learn the reason why those railings are so unsteady — it’s because people put their entire body weight on them as they make their way down the mountain.
I still found it easier to get down than it was to get up, although that is a sentiment not shared by all.
I know it sounds like the round trip 5-hour hike was a struggle, and during some parts of the hike, it was. But it was an experience that will not be soon replicated. It was the most memorable activity I did during my stay in St. Lucia and the one I enjoyed the most.
I think most hikers would agree that the work is part of the fun.
cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reporter Zachary Smith at the summit of Gros Piton in St. Lucia.Johnny N. Smith-Diaz
If you go: Hiking Gros Piton in St. Lucia
Gros Piton is available to hike year-round. It is located near Soufriere, the former capital of St. Lucia. Locals recommend beginning hikes in the morning before the temperatures get hot at midday.
There are several ways to arrange a hike to Gros Piton. Prices begin at $50 per person but vary by tour or booking agency. I used Amazona Adventures. We booked the adventure in advance, but arrangements can be made on the island or even on the day. Only two things prevent a hike – a tropical storm or a shortage of guides.
Aside from admission to the mountain, many tour groups will also charge for pick-up and drop-off services and other add-on activities.
Proper hiking attire, snacks and water are an absolute must for this trip. Even though you are on a Caribbean island, pack for this specific expedition.
The hike is not recommended for beginners.
Zachary Smith is the data reporter for cleveland.com. You can reach him at [email protected].
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Publish date : 2024-11-13 06:05:00
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