About Chirripo and Chirripo trek

Chirripo National Park protects 50,150 hectares of high elevation terrain. Cloud forest above 8 250 ft elevation covers half the park. On the top of Chirripo mountain there are numerous lakes therefore the Talamancan Indians call Chirripo "Place of enchanted waters".

Climbing
If you want to climb Chirripo mountain it is recommended to start early in the morning to begin trekking into Chirripo National Park. (you need to buy tickets at the park office located on the beginning of San Gerardo de Rivas). The uphill trail is steep and can take up to 12 hours in poor conditions for slow trekkers. Fit, experienced hikers can do it in 6 to 7 hours. The trek is 14 km to the base camp and then another 4 km to the top. It is better to climb only to the base camp the first day and continue the next day to the summit.

After reaching the 7th km you refill your water bottle. The base camp is very basic with bunk beds, no heating and no hot shower. Blankets, sleeping bags and cook wear are not provided in the base camp, you have to carry it by yourself or you can pay a local porter ($25 one way).

The hike can be very difficult but it is worth it. If clear, you can see the stunning views of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Source: Radek Adamec - here

Altitudes, average temperatures and conditions
Chirripo Base Camp has an elevation of 9,500 ft with daytime temperature 40 - 65°F and nighttime 30 - 35°F
Weather on Chirripo is unpredictable and potentially dangerous if you are not prepared.
Bitterly cold winds can exceed 100 kph with wind chill dropping temperatures significantly.
Rain is always a possibility, especially in mid-afternoon. Temperatures usually fall to freezing or below during the night.

How to get there
By car: From San Isidro del General to San Gerardo de Rivas, pass the church, go 1 more kilometer up towards the entrance to the park. We are the last hotel in San Gerardo, but closest to the park.
By bus: Take the bus at 5.00 A.M. or 2.00 P.M. (there is a bus ride only twice a day), get off the bus at the park office to buy tickets for the hike and then continue walking up towards the entrance to the park.

Activities
In Chirripo valley you can see cloudforests, waterfalls, Chirripo river, you can visit local hot springs and especially climb the highest mountain of Costa Rica Chirripo (3 820 m, 12 532 ft).
There is also troutfishing, horseback tours and massage by a certified masseuse.

Natural History
Formation
¤ 40-60 million years ago in the Eocene by volcanic activity. The presence of basaltic and andesitic rocks and tuffs
¤ 18 million years ago - Tectonic folding followed by intense plutonic activity which caused a rapid elevation of the entire area.
¤ 3-5 million years ago - The definitive shape of the range was attained during the post-organic phase.
¤ 25,000-30,000 years ago. - Formation of glacial lakes by movement of ice which still remain intact. They are u-shaped valleys, such as we can see in Moraines' Valley, the Lakes' Valley, and the Rabbits' Valley
Hydrology
¤ Chirripo means "Land of the Eternal Waters''. A Chirripo Trek in the rainy season shows numerous streams and brooks. On the top of Cerro Chirripo Grande the participant has a view of more than 30 lakes and lagoons. Some of them disappear completely in the dry season.
¤ Many large rivers have their source in the valleys of the Talamanca Mountain Range such as Rio Chirripo Atlantico, Rio Telire, Rio Chirripo Pacifico and the Rio Ceibo.
Flora
An extraordinary number of habitats can be found here, as a result of the differences in altitude, soil type, climate and topography.
¤ Paramo - From 2,900m up with mixed shrubs, grasses and perennial herbaceous plants of Andean origin.
¤ Swamps - Composed of herbaceous and shrub communities.
¤ Madrono Forests - Predominant species of the upper parts of the park.
¤ Cloud Forest - Large trees like the oak, sweet cedar, nargusta, elm, magnolia, lancewood, and mountain cypress.
¤ Fern Groves - They are mainly made up of the 1-2 meters high Lomaria fern and of sphagnum moss.
Fauna
¤ 263 species of amphibians and reptiles, and about 400 bird species have been observed. Chimp6 National Park shelters the largest population of tapir in the country, puma jaguar, peccary, monkeys and many other species of mammals.
¤ Among the birds should be mentioned the most spectacular: The resplendent quetzal.
Human History
¤ In 1904 Agustin Blessing, a priest and missionary of Talamancais, reported as the 1st white human reaching the summit.
¤ Following expeditions in 1905, 1913,1915, 1920, 1932 and 1942.
¤ From that time on many expeditions have achieved the goal: Get to the second highest peak in Central America: Mount Chirripo.
¤ On August 19th, 1975, Chirripo National Park was officially established. The Park was declared a "Biosphere Reserve'' by the Unesco in 1982, and of the "World Heritage Sites" in 1983.