Up early to begin our trek. The road was so rocky vehicles can´t even make it to the park entrance; we had to walk 1k to reach the park! The climb was definitly a challange and tested our fitness levels! We walked over HUGE boulders, then over rocky road and it was all at a 45 degree angle! Around each corner we hoped to see a flat road, but , no!

We reached the campsite after 6pm and set up camp just as the cold was setting in. We were in bed by 7.30, in all our layers!

UP at 4.30am to hike the rest of the way to the summit. Still cold; I put socks on my hands for gloves!!! Reaching the top, we looked around at our striking, night view of the Pacific, Cerro Punta and David. A wise local had told us we must climb to the cross - we spotted it; it was another 30 minute climb over boulders the size of us! We made it before the sun came up and had a gorgeous 360 degree view of the sunrise over the landscape. Beathtaking! Felt like the only people alive!

I wanted to climb down the other side of the volcano towards Cerro Punta. Why walk back the same way??? We spotted a small trail and off we went... not long in, we reached a bit so steep there was a wire attached to a tree that helped you climb down for 30 mins! Jon was not so impressed with my bright idea at this point! We hiked through all sorts of terrain; moss, boulders, slit, forest - madness!!! All on a natural rail that we could just about make out! We doubted the path sometimes! Saw no other people all day!

Ran out of water and began to wander would we ever leave this forest! Eventually, four hours in, we came to a grassy opening with a wierd crop... scenes from¨The Beach¨ flashed before me and we both looked, cautiously, for armed guards, but all was well! The countryside in this valley is lovely. A patchwork of small farms cover the slope in interesting plughing patterns and the majority of people wear traditional Panamanian dress.

Thankfully, we got a friendly ride the rest of the way to Cerro Punta and rehydrated there! Amazing journey! Will just bring more water next time!