The "Mountain of Death "wounded my car, but
didn't kill it.
didn't kill it.
Jungle Journal 03-23-2007, by Thomas Scott Daly
In search of a new camera and/or repairs on my existing
one, a trip over the Mountain of Death became imperative.
one, a trip over the Mountain of Death became imperative.
Sierra Del Muerte was thus named for the large number of motorists killed
each year ( I think two hundred or so) traversing it's impressive heights
over a daunting two-lane road chock-full of trucks and busses, while suffering
long lines of often over-anxious motorists with few safe passing opportunities.
Combine this with sheer drop-offs and often limited visabillty and viola, you
have Sierra del Muerte.
each year ( I think two hundred or so) traversing it's impressive heights
over a daunting two-lane road chock-full of trucks and busses, while suffering
long lines of often over-anxious motorists with few safe passing opportunities.
Combine this with sheer drop-offs and often limited visabillty and viola, you
have Sierra del Muerte.
My Geo Tracker is a good little car, but has a tendancy towards running hot
when climbing hills, especially at slow speeds. During the majority of the trip to
San Jose we were stuck behind long lines of cars and trucks and busses all
trying to get to the front of the line, and the car was nearly constantly on the
verge of the red zone, and in it, on the water temp gauge. Very
nerve-wracking, not knowing which would happen first, an engine blow up, or
a head-on collision while attempting to pass. Just staying behind the slowest
of trucks was not an option if you want to get over the mountain before the
next millenium.
We managed the first leg to San Jose without major incident, but came up
short a few liters of water in the radiator along the way, and by the time I
parked the car I vowed never to drive the trip again, at least not with that car..
when climbing hills, especially at slow speeds. During the majority of the trip to
San Jose we were stuck behind long lines of cars and trucks and busses all
trying to get to the front of the line, and the car was nearly constantly on the
verge of the red zone, and in it, on the water temp gauge. Very
nerve-wracking, not knowing which would happen first, an engine blow up, or
a head-on collision while attempting to pass. Just staying behind the slowest
of trucks was not an option if you want to get over the mountain before the
next millenium.
We managed the first leg to San Jose without major incident, but came up
short a few liters of water in the radiator along the way, and by the time I
parked the car I vowed never to drive the trip again, at least not with that car..
Above is the famous Hotel Del Rey. Famous for it's sports bar, casino, and of course,
it's plethora of hookers populating the rather large "social" bar. Look! I even caught a
bird flying over it!
it's plethora of hookers populating the rather large "social" bar. Look! I even caught a
bird flying over it!
My neighbor, Mark, and I, however, stayed here at the
somewhat cheaper and lower key, Hotel Morazon.
(see Hotel Del Rey in background) I resisted the temptation to
gamble or cohort with floozies, this trip anyhow.
somewhat cheaper and lower key, Hotel Morazon.
(see Hotel Del Rey in background) I resisted the temptation to
gamble or cohort with floozies, this trip anyhow.
I bought my new camera and hit
the streets with it, and my newly
repaired old one.
the streets with it, and my newly
repaired old one.
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Chill, Dude.
As with all my
web-photos,
click on image
view.
web-photos,
click on image
view.
Montain of Death, by tsdaly, Thomas Scott Daly.
Recent newspaper photos of bus
crash from San Isidro to Dominical;
one I have ridden many times. It's
The Mountain of Death
crash from San Isidro to Dominical;
one I have ridden many times. It's
The Mountain of Death
*
* My story on the origin of the name, Mountain of Death, could be bullshit I've taken as fact from dubious
sources. After reading a bit..I found one article saying it was thus named before there was a road over the
mountain...but it does pay homage to the continuing carnage and death due to the often dangerous conditions
involved in traversing it's heights. I'm doing more research and will add links and pertinent data as fits in with
my story. If it doesn't fit in with my story, I will change it, as needed.
sources. After reading a bit..I found one article saying it was thus named before there was a road over the
mountain...but it does pay homage to the continuing carnage and death due to the often dangerous conditions
involved in traversing it's heights. I'm doing more research and will add links and pertinent data as fits in with
my story. If it doesn't fit in with my story, I will change it, as needed.
OK..just found this...which really throws a wrench in things..including my spelling: History: The name Cerro de
la Muerte, which translates as "Mountain of Death", predates the construction of the PanAmerican
Highway and refers to the tragic consequences suffered by many who attempted the arduous crossing
from the Central Valley to the Valley of San Isidro del General. This entailed a three or four day journey,
on foot or on horseback, and meant spending at least two nights in the cold and often rainy highlands.
Many were ill-prepared for the inclement weather and, if they did not succumb to hypothermia on the
spot, perished from complications such as pneumonia later on.
la Muerte, which translates as "Mountain of Death", predates the construction of the PanAmerican
Highway and refers to the tragic consequences suffered by many who attempted the arduous crossing
from the Central Valley to the Valley of San Isidro del General. This entailed a three or four day journey,
on foot or on horseback, and meant spending at least two nights in the cold and often rainy highlands.
Many were ill-prepared for the inclement weather and, if they did not succumb to hypothermia on the
spot, perished from complications such as pneumonia later on.
I deleted all the old text here cause the
should re-write it all, but don't really
feel like it. It described the ride in my
car and car troubles and so forth, but
we made it home with zero fatalities,
amputations or "serious" injuries..so it
should re-write it all, but don't really
feel like it. It described the ride in my
car and car troubles and so forth, but
we made it home with zero fatalities,
amputations or "serious" injuries..so it
I would write more here..again..but it
seems to keep being mutilated by
YAHOO! For some inexplicable
reason. If this remains unchanged for
awhile I may attempt to re-write the
original travail tail.
seems to keep being mutilated by
YAHOO! For some inexplicable
reason. If this remains unchanged for
awhile I may attempt to re-write the
original travail tail.