Set just under 7,000 feet above sea level is an absolutely enormous granite rock that stands over 650 feet tall, weighs 10 million tons and juts out of the landscape. It's situated near the quaint town of Guatapé, about two hours outside of Medellin. This was my latest adventure to share from this past week.
Known locally simply as "la piedra" (the rock), it's not an easy task to reach the top. The stairs (740 if you go all the way to the top) are very narrow in many areas and there is only a small wall holding you back from an accidental trip or fall straight down to the bottom.
According to sources, "In 1954 a group of friends—supposedly at the urging of a local priest—climbed the rock using a series of boards wedged into a crack. These were the first people known to have climbed El Peñon de Guatape. Climbing the huge stone took five days, but the top of the rock revealed both beautiful views and a new species of plant, Pitcairma heterophila. The rock, which is almost entirely smooth, has one long crack, the one that the climbers used in ascending it. In the crack was later wedged a 649-step masonry staircase, the only way to get to the top of the Piedra de Penol."
The view from up top was definitely worth the hike up. The rock itself was formed 70 million years ago as a result of a volcano and many, many centuries ago the local Indians worshipped it. Here's a short video I took of the panoramic view from the top:
Following the hike, I took a cruise around the surrounding lakes and lagoons to get a better feel for the layout of this unique part of Colombia. The best part of all is that the guide carried aguardiente (a very strong local drink that tastes similar to a mint schnapps) with her so any time someone wanted a drink, she was ready with her box (it comes in a box and a bottle).
For more pictures from this latest trip, click here.
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