ANTIGUA

Day 1:

Meet at 8:30am. Start your day meeting the team at Barbies for 8:30am, the cafe below the yacht club in Falmouth. This is an ideal place to have some breakfast, sip a coffee, check your gear and pick up any last minute bits from the shop before jumping in a taxi from the main car park. I suggest that you aim to leave Falmouth by 9:30am.

Drop off point/parking - address. There is room to park on the road side. Remember to make note of where you leave your car if you have decided drive so that you can find it again...its a very random road to find!

1. Start. This first ascent really sets the wild mood for the expedition. Be prepared for some bush whacking, steep climbs and a bit of a nav mission. (There is a marked route up to Mount Mcnish which I have marked as 'optional' on the map'). From the roadside you will face a south westerly direction to face Mount Mcnish...you won't miss it - its that big mountain that has been in full view as you approach the parking location. Just past a farm house (A) you will see a track and a gate, go through the gate and follow the track that winds up the hillside for as far as it will take you. Eventually, you will start to second guess which way the track goes...or if it is even a path anymore. This is where the fun begins. Stay high and continue in a NW direction. You will eventually meet a fence line, that runs along the mountain contour, handrail this fence until you hit a secondary fence that runs down the mountain, hop over the gap in this secondary fence line and you will begin to find the path again. The path will guide you to a stunning ravine, where you will suddenly feel like you are in the jungle. The trees are bigger, vines are hanging from above, and the air tastes more moist. Clamber over the boulders. You may spot a few red markers that will lead you directly up this ravine. Find your way between the boulders, until eventually you will leave the ravine to the left and wind your way through the jungle - keep walking in an upward direction! Watch out here - there are a few paper wasps. Ahead, you will notice more daylight, the jungle abruptly stops and you will emerge from the jungle into a large lemongrass field. Walk to the electrical tower. Take a sit, enjoy the breeze, have a drink and a snack and absorb the views of the island and the route ahead. Can you spot Boggy Peak?

- note. There are several routes up to Mount Mcnish, let me know if you find a better route up!

2. From the electrical tower, there is an obvious track to follow in a southerly direction, down into Christian Valley. However, don't get complacent as you might miss your left hand turn which cuts a good chunk out of your journey. The left turn is before the car track takes you North. If you miss it....or if you do decide to add the option to go up to Rock Peak (a steep climb but incredible views at the top), then I suggest you extend this trip into a three day adventure. The short cut I have created takes you into Christian Valley, where you will emerge from thick jungle, at a plantation farm. From here, join the car track that takes you directly west towards the ocean. If you reach the national park gates you have gone to far. There is a engraved monument at the start of the next stage of the route (b).

Option Rock Peak - this is a good workout, a steep climb, but the views are great! When the terrain begins to flatten out you will arrive at an area that locals have made camp. I got a little lost here finding the way, but if you keep to the northerly side of the mountainside, you will find the trail which directs you through a tree plantation. Keep left up here and follow the markings down to the valley. I you find yourself facing west, you won't be able to get down. It's really steep. From here, you can either head to Morlenes restaurant for a drink, or if you have plenty of time still, turn left at the road and work your way up the valley to the National Park Gates to the engraved monument for Mount Obama and start the next stage of the route (b)

3. This section is well marked all the way to the summit. There are two route options (c): signposted 100 metres along the trail there is the option to take the long route or the short route. I suggest taking the short route as you've still got a long day ahead of you. Weave your way through mature rainforest. When you stop to catch your breath and grab a drink, pause for a second...and notice how quiet it is. Look up, at the sunlight dappling through. Its incredible! The marked trail will take you just over an hour. Keep a steady pace as its a big climb to the top in hot conditions. Eventually you will hit a T-junction. To reach your second summit of the day you will need to turn right at this junction. This will lead you to the road and the final steep march to the summit where you can stop for lunch!

4. Once reenergised, return down the steep road then back along the same track you emerged from earlier - do not continue down the road (or do if you want to finish here). Remember the T junction with the sign post to Fig Tree drive? Follow the signpost labelled 'Fig Tree Drive' (d). Get ready for an epic ridge walk!

5. There will be a short climb to join the ridge. Once you reach the highest point, the direction of the trail will head south to the next peak called - 'Cade Peak'. There are lots of different trails that join this track, and it can be misleading - I saw one sign labelled 'Mount Mcnish' when I was walking it -another route option to investigate next time (I think this takes you past Christian Valley Waterfall, but bypasses Mount Obama). Stay high, and check your compass every so often to ensure you are still going south (its easy to loose your sense of direction in the jungle). If you start descending down either side of the ridge, you know you are going wrong. Stay on the ridge. When the view opens out and you can see Carlise Bay, the trail will swing to an easterly direction and descend rapidly.

6. Eventually you will hit a dirt track that will guide you to the road. Stick left!! Watch out for dogs here, they are chained up but loud - I tend to take my backpack off one shoulder when I am around dogs in the case I need to use it as a protection barrier. Follow this trail all the way down past the houses and to the road. Turn left at the road and stop at the road side cafe for some BBQ jerk chicken and a cold drink.

7. Continue down the road, all the way to the entrance to Carlise Bay (E). I strung my hammock in the trees here. (Don't be tempted to stay at the hotel!!). If you want to sleep in a more hidden spot, walk to the south end of the beach and string you hammock in the trees here.

8. String your hammocks, collect some dry wood, make a fire and get in the water. Watch the sunset whilst you enjoy your BBQ jerk chicken. I have seen local fishermen here before, maybe ask if you can buy a fish from them and roast it over the fire!!

Day 2:

9. Make sure you carry any rubbish out with you and leave the beach clean. Keep your towel handy and keep your shoes off whilst you walk the beach as you have to cross a deep stream at the end of the beach to start the coastal trail.

10. Follow the purple ribbons along the trail that takes you alongside the swamp, through a coconut 'graveyard' (F) and to a track. There are cattle roaming free here...the bull didn't bat an eyelid when I passed him. Turn right when you meet the track. Follow this track all the way to the windward coastline. This whole route is well trodden and mostly marked, it will take you all the way to Tucks Beach (G).

11. Walk the beach, across the stoney section in the middle dodging the waves. Approximately 100m from the rocky section there will be an opening into the jungle (H). Follow the pathway until you get to the cliff edge and see Randevousx Beach. The trail will guide you down to the beach, you won't be able to access the beach here because there is a barbed wire fence. 'Handrail' the fence along the brook, keeping right until you reach a pond (I).

12. When you reach the track there will be a channel (to prevent livestock escaping) which you will walk through, it is beside a locked gate. Follow the dirt road in an easterly direction until you reach the turn off for Turtle Bay (J).

13. Nearly there, follow this trail all the way to civilisation and the rewarding views of the entrance to Falmouth Harbour...the finish line. Make note of the switch back (K) its not obvious when you are there.

14. Finally, follow the road back to town. Stop at Sweeties for a reviving milkshake. Get ready for some cold beers followed by a solid nights sleep back in your bunk!