Comments on: Guatemala: Guan, baby, guan

By: Nate

Nate — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:25:42 +0000

@Mike- No doubt! I was surprised as I accepted my guan-less fate, that what before was unthinkable hurt less than I thought it might. Even without the target bird, it was still a great day in the field.

@Larry- I certainly wouldn’t feel sorry for me! Guatemala is a wonderful place with fantastic people, but if you do make the trip I’d be sure to take precautions. It wasn’t that long ago that it was a military junta like many Central American nations and parts of it can still be dangerous to tourists traveling alone. That said, there are lots of lodges and guides that would make things easier and safer and are a piece of cake to get in touch with. The nation clearly sees the advantages to encouraging tourism and they’re working hard to facilitate them.

As for the climb, I can’t deny it’s very difficult. But you could probably make it as long as you took it slow and steady. It worked for me, and fortunately there is lots to see on the way up and the way down so taking you time is encouraged regardless.

By: Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:49:21 +0000

I must say that I feel for your disappointment in not seeing this magnificent bird Nate but it is difficult to feel too sorry for anyone who has had the ability to go to Guatemala to try. I, and the girl that was to become my wife, made a trip to Guatemala back in 1976. We were captivated by its beauty but alas, those were my pre-birding days. Your photos inspire me to go back to Guatemala for a birding trip but your description of the hike up Volcan San Pedro makes me wonder if I could make it. The chance to see an incredible endangered species like the Horned Guan makes me think I can and should make the trip. I thought your readers may want to get more information on this bird from Birdlife International, the official Red List Authority for birds for the IUCN. Thanks for the excellent post on this endangered species!

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:30:06 +0000

I just read this and am already reliving flashbacks of the infamous San Pedro Death March. Very well-written, Nate. You manage to maintain an admirable level of equanimity despite having worked harder to miss a bird than you probably ever have or will again. The birding gods will undoubtedly smile upon you in time!

But I should add that seeing the Horned Guan certainly doesn’t suck…

By: Jochen

Jochen — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:25:50 +0000

It’s the thin air and lack of oxygen that makes your legs hurt so much – I’ve experienced it in Kazakhstan. It’s really bad.

By: Nate

Nate — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:34:32 +0000

@Jason- Not bad at all, you have no idea how close we were…

@Jochen- Yeah, the thin air doesn’t help matters in the least. Compared to how much my legs hurt I probably didn’t notice it, but it undoubtedly contributed.

By: Jochen

Jochen — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:35:15 +0000

I just noticed that the volcano reaches a height of nearly 3,000 metres above sea level.
So that’s what’s been killing you: thin air!

By: jason

jason — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:19:10 +0000

I’m in awe of the views and otherworldly feel, especially from those last two images. Even if you hadn’t seen a single bird, it sure looks like it would have been worth the effort anyway–to behold that scenery if for no other reason. Grant got it right: your tale makes the adventure all the more attractive. Sans the crowd, I mean. (And am I a bad person for thinking I’d have been inclined to walk over and politely smack members of the “dude” and “nice” group upside the head for being so daft?)

By: Nate

Nate — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:32:02 +0000

@Grant- Yeah, before I did it I always wanted to do the climb. Now, staring at the possibility of needing to do it again if I ever return? I don’t know. I probably would, but knowing what waits for you is disheartening.

@Jochen- That’s exactly how it feels, like you’re going to die right on the spot. And that’s before you even get to the pavilion that marks the approximate halfway spot. At which point the trail gets harder.

And re: Noah. You’re right! The Guan knew!

@Felicia- Me too! And there are some great birds to distract you on your way up, especially nearer to the beginning. One I forgot to mention was Blue-and-White Mockingbird, which I saw, but not well. More reason to go back!

By: Felicia

Felicia — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:24:33 +0000

What a massive bummer that you didn’t get that guan after all that work. But it sounds like you still got some really nice birds, not to mention a heckuva workout. Next time, I hope you are luckier–and I hope there will be a next time up there!

By: Jochen

Jochen — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:29:13 +0000

@Nate: no way you’d carry Noah up? So you wouldn’t do ANYTHING for the Guan? Maybe that’s why it didn’t consider you worthy…

@Grant (last paragraph): welcome to the club! I once did a hike along a particular trail that was well known for being strenuous. I consider myself a good hiker, but this trail was the first and only time in my life that I literally longed for death. I really wanted to die right there on the spot, just so I didn’t have to walk on anymore.
Yet, looking back it was a great day and I’d do it again 7 days a week. Okay, make that once a week …