Dan's Papers - January 16, 2009 - Twentysomething...Climbing The 3 Crosses

On the border of Cali, Colombia, is a mountain where three giant crosses, known as Cerro de las Tres Cruzes, overlook the city. The site is not all that different than the Redeemer in Brazil, except that, in Brazil, tourists climb into gondolas, then walk up maybe two flights of steps to see the giant Jesus statue. In Colombia, you have to hike.

I'm one out of shape dude.

It's very common for families to bring small children on this hike up the mountain, and they paD along, get tired, rest, and then walk some more. For adults, the hike to Three Crosses is very demoralizing for two reasons. One is that it is unbelievably steep and long, and two, the stairs that the government built for citizens to climb end halfway up. Then you literally have to mountain climb on incredibly tired legs to the top. The climb is not completely vertical, but for a guy with no experience mountain climbing at all, it was terrifying.

I GOT physically sick. I also fell behind at one point and just sort of sat in the trail, soaking in the isolation, then WALKED on. There are only two locations to get water on the hike, and I didn't bring my own. But for about 50 cents you can buy a bottle, so I bought six. I cramped up of course, and reminded myself that when all of this was over, I was going to feel really healthy.

The views of the city from the top are incredible, but I didn't notice since I was on the verge of death. Something remarkable about the top is that there is a workout area with a pull-up bar, dip bars and sit-up seats. Oh that's just what I want to do, workout after climbing up a FRIGGIN' MOUNTAIN!

I did a few pull-ups. After all, I'm no wuss.

Speaking of these little workout areas, the Hamptons needs to get some of these in public places. The only place to do pull-ups in East Hampton, other than going to a gym, are at Herrick Park and East Hampton High School. The little workout stations look really nice and encourage people to exercise. It's a good idea. There. I've given my pro-pull-up speech.

Probably one of the worst things about mountain climbing in Colombia is the realization that the only way to get back down is by hiking. Physically, this is 100 times easier, but 10 times scarier because one little slip and down you go. A few missteps here and there are a good forwarning of instantaneous death.

I don't know if reaching the top and being in front of the Three Crosses was much of a religious experience for me, compared to other people who bowed in full prayer while breathing heavily from the hike. For me, it was more like a "don't throw-up from exhaustion" experience.

When my adventure ended, I found myself with a thermometer in my mouth, running a decent fever and sleeping for five hours straight with my body feeling pretty similar to the way it did after my first week of training for football in the August heat for East Hampton High School.

My Colombian adventure has just about come to an end. I've learned a few things. 1. The dollar is way more valuable than the peso, and you can buy just about twice as much of anything with it. 2. Having traffic enforcement is a good thing. Here in Cali, while the police force is strong, people never get pulled over for anything. I've seen at least eight accidents that could have been avoided. 3. Juice, in all forms, is extremely good for you. 4. In all countries on the planet, cheap beer tastes exactly the same. 5. Goat milk bought from the side of the road tastes good. And finally, 6. People do their best to be good.