Looking at Plants...In Panama: Enter the Cloud Forest

Day three of class:

Today the group ventured to Altos de Campana, a cloud forest up in the mountains east of the Canal. Because of the moisture-rich environment, this forest is much mossier and contains more epiphytes than any of the lowland forests we've traveled to so far. It was absolutely breathtaking.

The trip was basically a long hike. It felt like Outdoor Action, but for class credit, which is a-okay with me. We hiked up a peak through the rooty, muddy, mossy trail (see below for the casualties), then down a ways through very difficult terrain where railings had been placed for more support, up again (involving more slipping on mud, as well as some bouldering), and finally reached the summit of this mountain. It was quite surreal being so high and not being able to see the surrounding landscape surrounding (presumably because of the standing in a cloud thing). What I could tell for sure, however, was that falling off the cliff wouldn't be such a good idea, and having a bit more room on the summit rock would have been nice. But hey, it was cozy and terrifying.

Additionally, we also deconstructed the psychology behind OA's Frosh Trip today. After climbing that mountain together, we all felt so bonded. I see what you're doing, Rick Curtis.

Blair, rocking the battle wounds from her fall.

Look everyone! We're learning about things in a frickin' cloud forest!

Don't look down... The view from the peak.

We made it to the top!

Professor Yves, hardly out of breath, beat us all to the top - and did it more gracefully.

So then it was back down the way we came, which was the same struggle once more. Clothes were ripped, hands were cut, thorns were imbedded in palms, quite a bit of falling occurred, and some gear was damaged. Some members of the group will be suing the forest for property damage, attempted robbery, and general harassment.
Best quote of the trek down: "I'm not nature-ly inclined" - Blair.

That's all for now, folks.