Krohn reports on Victoria Peak trek
Keeping Belize Litter Free is the focus of a clean-up campaign over the next several months. But rather than arm themselves with trash bags and pick up litter, one group of environmentally conscious Belizeans made the ultimate commitment to the cause. They spent five days tackling one of Belize’s biggest natural wonders, Victoria Peak. News Five’s own Stewart Krohn was among those who got to sample the view from the top of Belize.
Stewart Krohn, News Reporter
“What it was like was a lot of heavy breathing and just really at a lot of points you appreciate the scenery is fantastic. The views are magnificent. You can see from miles and miles just forest and forest; no people, nothing. You really get an appreciation for how empty Belize is and how untouched Belize is. And the plants, the forest is beautiful. The orchids up there – growing at the top of Victoria Peak, orchids like you would never expect to see and it is all fantastically beautiful.
But the problem is you are so exhausted by the time you are getting up to those reaches that you would sometimes, unless you are on top of the peak or something, and took time to really explore; while you are climbing you don’t really appreciate those things because you are so tired. You are so dedicated to putting one foot in front of the other to make it to the top. That was all you were thinking about at that time. I wish I could say that I could stop and smell the orchids, but I didn’t and my mind was on getting to the top and once I got on top getting back down before dark, because that is a real consideration. To be marching through the jungle or marching down a mountain in the middle of the night is not something you want to look forward to.
Hyacinth it was a very, very interesting trip. Don’t ask me if I had fun; don’t ask me if I will do it again. But I was very glad that I did it. It was one of those things that will stay with me for a very long time.”
After Easter you can expect to see News Five’s full story on Victoria Peak. “Hike for a Cleaner Belize,” was organized by the Belize Tourism Board and the Belize Audubon Society with support from Trekforce Expeditions and the B.D.F. There were 18 hikers assisted by an equal number of very able men from the village of Maya Center.
