Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

[sammy]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

lovin your report magic



BEAUTIFUL



you guys look so cute together [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70377-loveeyes.gif[/img]

[HOT T]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

beautiful pics thans for sharing

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

Thanks Nina, IM, Sammy, Hot T amd JD.

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...good thing for you Magic she is dainty and not mampee lol...

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[img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] I know!

Although where we were sleeping at Portland Gap and it was freezing, I coulda used one mampie gyal to keep mi warm. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Laurel]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

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Although where we were sleeping at Portland Gap and it was freezing, I coulda used one mampie gyal to keep mi warm. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

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[img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] SO - THAT IS WHY SOMEBODY TELLS ME HE MISSES SLEEPING WITH ME??? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[mountaingal]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

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not much gonna scare mr G nu fret, but really, do they still rent mules to go up on? i never did it that way but at this age it would probably be the only way id do it again.
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Bwai the mule woulda roll off the mountain if it try climb up there. I don't know the state of the trail 20-30 years ago, but from what I've been hearing it was easier and somebody even ran all teh way down it. But I don't think you can do that now. No evidence of mules though.

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i did the climb almost 20 years ago, and i don't recall any mules being on offer. but, i did it the hard way back then - going on foot from Mavis Bank in the middle of the night. Hiking up to Portland Gap, resting, then continuing the walk to the peak early next morning. It's a mixed blessing doing it at night - you don't see how steep some a dem precipice be and get friten, but then again, you NEVA QUITE SURE if you're one step from plunging over the side - specially as by the time you reach some a the steep parts you bone, bone tired.

i've heard of people skipping down the hill on the return journey. all i will say is that it was murder on my knees. The day after the walk, by knees swelled up, my big toenails turned black and later fell out (wore the wrong shoes), and that was all due to the descent.

but....lovin this report, Magic and DBL, and reliving the peak experience. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[Seveen]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

now this looks like the best way to go up that mountain [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

Laurel, fringe benefits! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Seveen, that sure is the best way up. [run quick before DBG come in]


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i did the climb almost 20 years ago,[...]but, i did it the hard way back then - going on foot from Mavis Bank in the middle of the night. Hiking up to Portland Gap, resting, then continuing the walk to the peak early next morning.

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MTG, you mussi mad! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] All the way from Mavis in one shot? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70392-silly.gif[/img] My hat's off to you! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] I couldn't do it.

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

Part 15-"A" - Spending the night at Portland Gap

There is a constant procession of little white puffy clouds that all originate from some place, on this otherwise clear day. Portland Gap, a pass in the mountain ridge on the border of Portland Parish and St. Thomas appears to be a cloud factory. Little balls of clouds emerge from the Portland side as though on a factory assembly line.



The Portland Gap Cloud Factory. Looking North.



L. with Robert on a narrow path (with a big drop) leading up to Portland Gap.


A narrow path chiseled into the steep slope leads us there. The Gap is full of beautiful flowers. We stop to take a picture of the first of a red variety that we saw, only to discover an entire bush of them around the corner. There is a gazebo here, a shelter with bunk beds, and a ranger station complete with a park ranger.



L. documenting our arrival.



One of the many variety of flowers found at the Gap.


The ranger as it turns out, is one of 23 children! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] All but one by the same mom. Imagine that family reunion. After helping us settle, he departs and we explore this beautiful little paradise. Tonight is would belong to nobody but us.









This place was just full of flowers. A Garden of Eden.

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

Part 15-"B"



Puffy clouds skimming the treetops of the Gap.



The gazebo where we ate at the Gap.


The temperature is just right with the sun out, but as after sunset it got chilly quickly. We decide to start a campfire to keep us warm. Finding firewood with a flashlight proved a little challenging but that much more fun nonetheless. Soon enough we had the fire blazing and we huddles around it to stay warm. For a moment my mind played a trick on me. Using a campfire to stay warm in Jamaica seemed totally wrong to me, and I had to keep on reminding myself where we were.



The only campfire in Jamaica that night designed for the purpose of keeping people warm!


We shared stories and jokes, shying away from any Duppy stories, as our location was not appropriate for such things. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70388-shameonyou.gif[/img] Mind you one duppy of a lost hiker who JDF helicopter failed to recover lurks in the shadows! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Soon clouds and sleep engulfed us and we retired for the night. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70394-sleeping.gif[/img] While Claus and Robert secured their sleeping arrangements with pillows and blankets as well as other appropriate gear, L. and I weren't so well prepared. A rolled up spare T-shirt served as a pillow, and we were mutual blankets to each other, having already put on all of the clothes we've brought with us. Even then if I had not kept convincing my mind this was Jamaica, I would have believed that we were at an Alaskan campground.



The shelter at the Gap.



Our accomodations.

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

Part 15-"C" The Dream

L. woke me up in the middle of the night. She had to use the restroom and wasn't going to fight off the Duppies, wild boars, and Arawaks that she would surely encounter on her way to the latrine. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70367-help.gif[/img] Upon returning to bed, as we would find out in the morning, we had the same dream: [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70402-thinking.gif[/img]

Upon waking up it was raining hard. Robert made the decision that we can't summit today, and must postpone the final ascent until the following day.

When shortly after 3am Robert's "Rise an Shine!" [img]/forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] snapped us right out of our dream, the tin roof resounded with the drumming of a downpour. Except unlike in the dream, we were heading out to climb the remaining 3.5 miles required to conquer the summit. There would be no postponement.

[Magician]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

Part 16 - Hard Road to Travel

Waking up shivering from the cold, tired from the lack of sleep and wet I was still hoping I’m still dreaming. After washing up in the frigid spring-fed water from a standpipe, and packing our few belongings we were ready. We set out on the trail that was much steeper, narrower and much more slippery than before. The jerky luminescence of our four flashlights sliced through the thick mist. The Jacob’s Family Reunion continued and our minds shifted into survival mode. The thick fog that now surrounded us would have surely prevented any rescue attempts by a JDF helicopter. There was not other alternative but to make it, and with every step, the load got heavier.





At one point we were traveling on the very crest of a ridge. On both sides the terrain dropped sharply into the milky abyss. Lightening illuminated the distant depths below us, yet no sound of thunder could be heard. The moon arose and suspended itself in space. The cold mist persisted and a surreal peaceful ambiance set in. If the ancient notion that the Earth is a flat disk suspended on four alligators is to be believed, then we have reached the end of the World. Either that or Heaven. Or at least the road to it.

[nige]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

this is a great report magic, and i agree, hats of to anyone who walked all the way fom mavis bank. we used to stay at whitfield and it was through them the mules were gotton for some, but this was long time ago so i dont know now. i see alot of changes though, actual ranger stations and hiking fees, that is all new to me.
keep it up cant wait till you reach the peak, my name along with many others should still be up there.

[mountaingal]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

[ QUOTE ]
Part 16 - Hard Road to Travel

Waking up shivering from the cold, tired from the lack of sleep and wet I was still hoping I’m still dreaming. After washing up in the frigid spring-fed water from a standpipe, and packing our few belongings we were ready. We set out on the trail that was much steeper, narrower and much more slippery than before. The jerky luminescence of our four flashlights sliced through the thick mist. The Jacob’s Family Reunion continued and our minds shifted into survival mode. The thick fog that now surrounded us would have surely prevented any rescue attempts by a JDF helicopter. There was not other alternative but to make it, and with every step, the load got heavier.


At one point we were traveling on the very crest of a ridge. On both sides the terrain dropped sharply into the milky abyss. Lightening illuminated the distant depths below us, yet no sound of thunder could be heard. The moon arose and suspended itself in space. The cold mist persisted and a surreal peaceful ambiance set in. If the ancient notion that the Earth is a flat disk suspended on four alligators is to be believed, then we have reached the end of the World. Either that or Heaven. Or at least the road to it.

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yes sah. the way stations may have gotten fancier, but the essence of the Blue Mountain Peak trek has not changed. the yearning to stop and go no farther, the realization that it is not an option, the digging deep into the mental resources so that you can finish the journey. especially a journey that started many hours ago on foot at the bottom of the peak.

thanks for the memories, Magic!

[loops]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

oh magic...i am jealous jealous...what a great expedition!!!! bless you for sharing these great pics and words.

[Laurel]

Re: Top of Jamrock! - The Blue Mountain Peak, Kingston, Negril and Ochi.

((Magic & Dainty)) [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I have to repeat Loopsie .... what an incredible experience and thanks for sharing with us - I am far to jealous as well!