Comments on: Horned Guan Death March Part 2

By: Getting the Guan

Getting the Guan — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:18:07 +0000

[...] in the Americas. Rick Wright has done it. Bill Thompson III has done it. Jeff Bouton has done it. Sharon Stiteler has done it. In fact, an entire Facebook group has organized around surviving what we describe mostly in jest [...]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:26:00 +0000

Gwyneth is so right. I’ve birded with Gustavo in the Galapagos, Ecuador’s mainland, and Colombia, and he’s a gem. I loved reading your account. Why DO we torture ourselves over these critters? Then, I remember spurts of adrenaline after hours of trudging, as a special view of an avian wonder is finally possible, and it’s all worth it. Nanci A.

By: Gwyneth

Gwyneth — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:02:00 +0000

I share your appreciation of Gustavo. I have travelled with him a couple of times and he is one of the kindest people I know. I’m glad you dedicated that post to him.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:55:00 +0000

Sharon, that was a great story, congratulations and I enjoyed reading it as well as hiking it, although I have to recognize it is difficult but pleasant once you get the volcano top or the Horned Guan level, and much better if you see a single one or 10. Thanks for the flowers, Sharon. Congratulations for the whole group for making it to the Guan!
HHET.

By: dguzman

dguzman — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:21:00 +0000

Wow, it’s like “Into Thin Air” only without the extreme cold or the deaths. Thank goodness for that.

What a great story! Glad you got such great looks. Next time I see you, I’m going to bow down to your supreme strength.

By: MarkN

MarkN — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:02:00 +0000

You give a whole new meaning to “Ash-throated” …

By: Kirk

Kirk — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:27:00 +0000

This was an awesome account of your trip! Thanks for posting. Your story makes me want to travel to see birds even though the furthest trip I’ve made thus far to see a bird hasn’t been more than a few hours drive. I really feel for all those people who make that kind of physical effort and don’t get to see the bird. That must be just awful Glad your story had a happy ending.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:08:00 +0000

Sharon, I really enjoyed reading this two-part post. It brought back memories of doing last year’s trek up Atitlan–all of that and we didn’t even see the bird! I wish I could have stayed and gone with you guys, but I’m really glad you got to see the guan.

By: Mike Hendrickson

Mike Hendrickson — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:14:00 +0000

Wait till you do the death march to see the Colima Warbler! Also while doing this march in Texas, leave the scarf in your hotel room because its a long hot walk back down the mountain.

By: birdchick

birdchick — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:56:00 +0000

Julie,

You are right, I left out the part about the elevation's effects on a lowlander like myself.

I did hear stories about you and BT3 and didn't want to out you. I've seen you galavant the steep hills on your property, you guys are fit! So, to hear Ana Christina and Irene say you had a hard time too, it made me feel less like an out of shape schlub--I bike ride, I lead trips, this was hard.

Again, I was hesitant to put it all in here, cause I don't want someone planning a trip to Guatemala to avoid the guan, but you should know going in, that many of us have a hard time.

I wonder if there is some cross marketing. Even though we were fed very well, I lost a couple of pounds on my trip to Guatemala. Perhaps rare birds and weight loss would be a great tour combo?