Darien Gap

dwmte says on Nov 18, 2005, 06:05:

gerakis... there's some excellent posts here on pbh on crossing the darian. do an onsite search of darian gap and you'll discover some very interesting and informative info.

definitely not for the faint hearted and weak.

dw

juanalejo says on Nov 18, 2005, 06:57:

Wrong site for this qustion. Most people in this site have hardly left an urban city, much less ventured into the jungle. For them going into the country zone is enough of over exposure. LP guide has quite a few forumers who have been around venturing around the country and can give you real advice on rural travel in Colombia.

morphus says on Nov 18, 2005, 07:56:

many people have done it for the adventure and the challenge. they did'nt do it just to get into Colombia. it took a lot of planning. one guy even did it with a specially designed motorcycle.

utopiacowboy says on Nov 18, 2005, 07:57:

Juan's right. I am sure that most people on the site have never been to Colombia. I'm hoping to visit British Columbia again soon.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Albatross says on Nov 18, 2005, 08:35:

Hope this helps... I did post-graduate work at Columbia, (30 min from Darien) but I don't remember a Gap in Darien, there's an Old Navy... maybe you meant that. (In which case you should have said Darien Old Navy)

But if your really looking for the wild side, try the Banana Republic next to the Outback.

P.S. What was that crack about us urban dwellers ???... I've spent alot of time in the 'burbs.

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

Mr. Hollywood says on Nov 18, 2005, 10:34:

Lots o people Lots and lots of people cross the Darien every day. Most of them, of course, are Colombian refugees fleeing to Panama. The rest are indigenous people who have beeen going back and forth since time began. Then, of course, there's the FARC, ELN and AUC bad guys who use it as a drug and guns running corridor.

If I were to cross the gap I'd try to look as much like any other poor Colombian as possible and forget about any sort of furtive sneaking around playing Rambo.

Hunter says on Nov 18, 2005, 12:59:

gringoinbogota Dirty, dark, stinking, insect infested places, God I hate the jungle.

Hunter

Crazy4Cali says on Nov 18, 2005, 14:06:

You guys just don't know how to have any fun... Come on.. maggot scars make for great converstation starters at cocktail parties. After you've broken the ice with the maggot scars on your arms, you can move to the machete scars on your legs, then the bullet scar in your butt (in the right company, of course).

But why risk your neck in a jungle infested with all sorts of things looking to puncture your precious hide when for most people (in the U.S.), just saying you went to Colombia sounds like a trip into the lions den. You can play that up all you want -- you know how your cunning and wits got you out of that bandit-infested country alive and how you narrowly missed the explosion on the bus, etc.

I mean, I've been to Colombia four times: to Cali, Bogota, and San Andres and my family is still amazed I've made it back each time. I could play that WAY up, if I wanted to (you know with tales of adventures gleaned from Hollywood movies). But no, like a fool, I tell them what a good time I had and how, in spite of my gringoness, I failed to attract the attention of any "evil doers."

Gerakis says on Nov 18, 2005, 15:01:

Darien gap advice Thanx for all you ppl helping me out... I guess all of you say no!! and i guess that's a smart move.Some ppl, like me, got suicidal tendencies... Being in the army for a few years, fighting bad guys does that to ya. thanx anyways

bobbyb says on Nov 18, 2005, 17:14:

Just do it Gerakis I'm with ya. Here's a guy who did it and lived to write about it
http://www.earthtrekuk.net/index.html

jazzmonkey says on Nov 21, 2005, 18:13:

I am living in Colombia so know what it is about. Am shortly heading to Mexico where I will work my way down to the bottom of Argentina.

I am myself considering the Darien Gap - dangerous as hell but extremely tempting nevertheless.

If I do attempt it it will be in around March/April of 2006 and would be interested in finding like minded people.

Send me a mail at gavinwood79 at hotmail.com if interested.

Gerakis says on Nov 22, 2005, 07:32:

Crossing the Darien Thanx Jazzmonkey, but i'm gonna be getting to the gap a bit later... more like JuneJuly at least

Gerakis says on Nov 22, 2005, 07:33:

Darien Crossing Thanx for the off Monkey... But if i do i'm gonna be at panama at the darien a bit later, like julyAugust 2006, but good luck on your trip.

Crazy4Cali says on Nov 22, 2005, 08:53:

Maybe... They should read those Darien Gap crossers should post from the stupid professor who tried to go through there a few years ago and got to stay with the Panamamian police for 3 weeks, then still had to take a boat to get from Colombia to Panama.

(but I think the thread with that link was deleted.)

Anyway, bueana suerte.