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Estefan Mora

This is a fantastic hike!!! As the article says you pass through every climate Costa Rica has to offer. You start in the thick rain forest, then the cloud forest, then up to the impressive oak forest, then the trees start to get shorter until you pass the tree line and there is only the bushes and shrubs of the "páramo" (tundra). The biodiversity is impressive. The views are impresive all the way but particularly rewarding once you pass the base camp and start hiking the high altitude trails. Once up in the base camp there are enough side trails in addition to the main Chirripó peak that you can stay 3 or 4 days at teh base camp and have a different adventure every day. The company that runs the base camp offers luggage transportation so you dont have to do the full hike carrying your stuff, this really helps. Just be aware that the complete hike is 24 miles round trip, 12 miles each way. The article is wrong about that. The weather at the top is as low as freezing at night. Make sure to bring some cold weather clothing.