Dear Laurence,

I've been meaning to e-mail you ever since our hike about a month ago, to say thank you and to send you this picture. It's the only picture that came out properly.  I was really very sorry to hear about the incident at Guanapo. All of us that went on the hike with you were very saddened by the news, especially since we enjoyed our hike so much and were talking about it for a long while after. David from England in particular sends his condolences to the families in Trinidad.

All the best, Clare

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O.A.S Office, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
16 July 2008

Dear Mr Julien,

It was with the greatest shock and horror that I came upon your report in the Express of 16 July 2008, of the double tragedy that occurred during a hike organized by Hike Seekers on Sunday 13 July 2008.

I am currently based in Haiti, where I have been for some 15 months and even for a while before I left Trinidad and Tobago, I did not go hiking, mainly because most hikes take place on Sundays so that they coincide with Church. However, whenever there was a mid-week or Saturday hike, for example, or on Public Holidays, I was there. Notwithstanding all this and even if, as most other members, I have hiked with other groups, I still consider myself a member of “Hike Seekers” with whom I have hiked over a number of years.

I have always found “Snake” and the other members of the leadership to be very responsible. Invariably, there are a number of “military types” on the hikes, fully equipped with ropes, first-aid equipment, even life-jackets, on occasion. Moreover, their pre-hike briefings are nothing if not comprehensive…and these are some of the factors that reassured me during my early hikes with them. Referring to your story in the Express of Wednesday 16 July 2008, although I am not in a position to vouch for anyone, or anything, the account by the “member of one of the country’s protective services” quoted, is, to me, quite credible.

As for the statement attributed to “the former meteorologist Robin Maharaj” who reportedly questioned why a mountain hike was planned in July, one of the country’s rainiest months for the year, in the first place”, I am not sure what that was intended to convey. As far as I am concerned, the rainiest months are absolutely the best for this type of hiking. I simply love to hike when it’s raining, especially in the Northern Range. It is an opportunity to see another side of our environment. Who does not like to witness our waterfalls when they are “in full cry” ? Our very beautiful waterfalls, for one, cannot be appreciated during the dry months. So…But, this, I insist, is my personal preference, even if I know many others who share this view.

Nevertheless, there is no escaping the fact that this is a very, very great tragedy and, as ever, when lives are lost, one will always wonder whether “anything” could have been done to avoid it. Perhaps we will never know in this case, even if it is always hoped and prayed that truth will be revealed. The bereaved families deserve our greatest sympathy. If I were in Trinidad and Tobago, I think I would have made it my business to attend the funeral(s), whether or not I was on that hike, simply because of my long-standing affiliation to Hike Seekers. At the same time, I would hike with “Snake” and Hike Seekers again tomorrow.

I imagine that the entire population of Trinidad and Tobago is grieving with the bereaved families and although I do not know them, I take the opportunity to convey my deepest condolences.

“Snake”, my best thoughts are also with you and the other members of the hiking leadership at this very difficult time.

Congratulations on a fine piece of reportage, Mr Julien.

Arthur A.Gray

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A hiking adventure in the rainforest. Swim in the sea. Cool off under a jungle waterfall. Splash through a mountain river. Witness the ancient ritual of giant Leatherback sea turtle nesting on a secluded beach. Visit remote caves to see the endangered Oil birds and a wide variety of forest bats.

Since Trinidad has no dangerous animals, hiking is a safe and popular activity. Hikes and camping trips are geared to all levels: Easy walks in natural surroundings; Moderate hikes in the rainforest; Strenuous rugged hiking and overnight camping trips into the mountain rainforests of Trinidad.