Pico Duarte is the highest point in the Caribbean! I hiked this enormous mountain this last weekend with some other volunteers and Dominican friends. It was a three day trip. The first day we hiked 13 miles, the second day we hiked seven miles to the top, and the last day we hiked the 13 miles back from our campsite. At night we camped in a cabin, drank hot chocolate and tried to stay warm. I also swam in a freezing cold river when we finished the hike!
While hiking Pico Duarte, some of my friends rode mules because they were too tired to continue on foot. A mule has long ears, a short mane, a tail that looks similar to a horse and hooves. To me, it looks like a mix between a donkey and a horse.
At first, I felt sad for the mules because it seems as though it must be such tiring work for them to carry up so many people and camping equipment. However, my mountain guide, Jose David, explained to me that mules are strong and resilient. The hike up and down the mountain is not as difficult for them as it is for other animals or hikers.
