On Friday morning we made the very long bus ride up to the Fortuna Forest Preserve in the mountains in Western Panama, where several cloud forest researchers and projects are located. We have learned about bryophytes from Noris Salazar Allen and her graduate students, and gone on several great hikes with University of Illinois P.I. Jim Dahling. On today's hike we went up a very steep peak to see a great view of the southern mountains and the Pacific Ocean, swung on vines on a huge tree and got to go swimming in the river off the trail, ending with the insane wind in the Devil's Chin. Definitely the best hike of the trip so far!
La piscina! Super cold water, but amazing after our long day of hiking
Happy Trails!
--- Patrick
Happy Trails!
--- Patrick