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Q- Ball
Mountain climber
where the wind always blows
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 18, 2014 - 02:12pm PT
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After 180 miles of rafting, hiking and mules we reached the ocean. We descended the Rio Platano from the headwaters to the Atlantic Ocean.
This area is considered the largest intact lowland rainforest left in Central America.
I grew up visiting family in Honduras. I had heard about the Platano/ Nothern Moskitia region since I was young. On a whim I took my wife to visit Copan Ruinas, a beautiful friendly town that asks you to stay. I added an expedition trip before her arrival.
The usual Honduran arrival begins in San Pedro Sula. While waiting for the bus, water started filling the airport terminal. In broken Spanish I tried to tell the Hedman Alas employee the situation. He said, (translated) “no worries”. I sat back down while putting my luggage on nearby chairs as the water rose. Then all hell broke loose when employees noticed it. They plugged the leak!
From San Pedro Sula, I took a bus to the formal calm coastal city of La Ceiba. As a child I have memories of a small concrete block building and waiting hours for a plane. You could bribe them to get where you wanted.
The bribes are from the drug guys these days. I never realized going to a Pollo Express (counterpart to KFC) would have me patted down by local security with big guns.
Aside from not being able to sleep for a few nights (because of gunfire) I was ready for the Rio Platano!!!
Jorge met me at the door and asked if I needed anything. He then said he had to run to the Congrehal river to pick up folks.
As soon as Jorge left a couple folks came by asking about rates to stay there. I said, “I am just a customer and don’t know how to call Jorge”. They decided to check the establishment. A screech came out of a room and they were not far behind it.
They were yelling, “there is something in the toilet”. I started asking questions “was it a bug? Or snake?” A Pech Indian emerged from a dark room next to us and went in while smiling. He walked out with a chunk of Tapir he had salted and was drying in a vacant bathroom. His name is Humberto, Pech Indian, and master of the upper Platano River.
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Q- Ball
Mountain climber
where the wind always blows
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 18, 2014 - 02:16pm PT
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Should I continue a trip report? Just a question, trash me if you want!
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John M
climber
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Jul 18, 2014 - 02:17pm PT
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by all means.. tell us the story. If you have pics, then add pics.
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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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Jul 18, 2014 - 02:22pm PT
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Oh come now, don't be a tease!
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dave729
Trad climber
Western America
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Jul 18, 2014 - 02:23pm PT
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Oh please do! How to Marinate Tapir Meat in a toilet adds
quality to any story..
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Q- Ball
Mountain climber
where the wind always blows
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 18, 2014 - 03:02pm PT
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I met in La Ceiba with my brother and friend a few days later. Aside from having coffee with my uncle I felt like being in no-mans-land. (always good to have a family in these parts).
With our contact/Guide, Mino, we drove 14 hours from La Ceiba to a village called Bonanza in Colon Province. We spent hours looking for rubber boots in Juticalpa and Catacamas. We found them at a country store just outside of Catacamas, where Mino’s former Biology teacher was working!
Through dirt roads with no signs we drove for hours. The roads got rough, and the Hondurans got tougher. We ended up at the end of the road. The float begins, to the sea!
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Q- Ball
Mountain climber
where the wind always blows
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 19, 2014 - 12:39pm PT
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just posted a TR, sorry the spelling is off. Platano River, Honduras
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