Itajaru climb.

The next most famous mountain in the area must be Itajaru. It is actually slightly higher than Graminha and requires some more treacherous climbing. We climbed yesterday but I was too tired to post the pictures until today. Graminha is more famous to the locals but on the way down from Itajaru we met two guys from Muriae (about 75 minutes by car) who were coming to hike up Itajaru and stay for the night. One of the two had done the hike 18 times and had stayed at the top on various occasions too.The crew prior to starting the hike. Blake, Bryan, Toni, Jeh and Matthieu (back) and Marlon, Gustavo and Lucy in front. Thanks to Robin for taking the pic and Matthieu for posting it on Facebook so I could steal it:)

Some of us caught a ride out with Robin while Matthieu, Toni and Marlon chose to walk the first part and wait for us to meet and get them for the last part of the drive.

For the first part Toni (the only person in our group to have already been to the top) led the way. In this picture you see Bryan and Toni is the one in front of him.

The trail got narrow at times and in fact near where this photo was taken we were almost run off the road by a herd of half a dozen or so cattle. They came bounding through the closed in woods and when they got near those of us at the front of our group they got spooked. We had gotten out of their way in time but had to warn the others and by yelling made scared the cattle even more thus they increased their speed but fortunately no one was hurt and the men tending the cattle caught up to them and calmed them down.
Cool lichen on the side of this tree.
Our final chance to fill up on water before we began our ascent to the top of Itajaru. This clean and clear water was very refreshing. It also meant we were almost out of the forest cover that had protetected us from the beating sun.
Each time we looked up and thought we were seeing the top we realized we were not near the peak but still had another climb to do.
As you can see our hard work was rewarded with amazing scenes such as this.
Graminha is the the mountain on the left.
Graminha is in the center of this photo. I was standing near where the landslide happened on Itajaru and photographing the valley and waterways running between it and the landslide at Graminha.

Intrigue in the forest!!!! According to legend the crosses mark the grave of a "wild" boy who had some sort of a disability and grew up fending for himself in this area. From time to time food was left for him and when he died and his body he was found he was burried under this tree. Who was this boy? Why did he live on his own? What made his family leave him in the woods?

One lovely example of forest flora:) I saw better flowers but wasn't able to photograph them.

Lucy tired but happy after our hike:)

Lose these?

Mt. Graminha climb.

On May 18th I climbed to the top of Mount Graminha along with a dozen or so other volunteers and staff from Iracambi. We were led by Clovus who helps with Thursday tree plantings (cleanings, fench fixing, etc.) and is the husband of our cook Carminha.Mount Graminha is the highest point in this picture. The community at its base, which is one of the main two communities that Iracambi works with, shares its name.You may recall my post from March 3rd which was about a Land Rover ride with Robin to know the area. It explains the reason for the white streak on the side of Graminha.

The British triangle....Neil (foreground), Lucy and Brian. The sun did actually set on the British Empire for a few weeks after Lucy left and before Rachel came.
As you can see rains have not only washed out part of the hill higher up but also down below where I took this picture. The ground in this area seems to be fairly unstable.It was a mostly clear day but the clouds did limit visability as you can see.What a glorious place to live!!!!Toni (Spain/Catalonia) calls this "digital syndrome". He was referring more to the need that people feel to photograph everything they see/do not only to record their memories but also to be able to prove that they did something such as go to Brazil, climb mountains or hang out with friends.Here is the streak closer up and from a different angle.It was really cool to see Iracambi and surrounding communities from high up and see better how it is all laid out and where places are in relation to one another.
The crew at the top. From left to right: me, Lucy Bryan, Fabio, Clovus and Toni.
Rob Roy anyone?Alive and on the way home after an awesome climb.