- Home
- Expeditions
- Oct 16, 2017
-
-
Email -
Facebook -
Pinterest -
Twitter
-
Colombia: Santa Marta’s Summits, the Kogi People, and White Sand Beaches — A Complete Adventure
Madness owner Mark Gunlogson continues the exploratory trip to establish the Caribbean to Glacier Climb & Trek in the wild Kogi tribal land of Colombia. Missed part one? Read it here.
As we left Dove Camp and the last bit of cloud forest, we entered the Santa Marta’s version of the sub-alpine zone where dwarfed plants, occasional small trees, and grasses covered the landscape. The goal, however, was the alpine zone where we’d set-up base camp for our climb of Colon.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1a_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=50be275b8f8cc2a3802c9d0cbfcb2c6b 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1a_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=f9dba9379be0646bf1612aeb5a9c1fa0 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1a_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=2c5dfa9215b8d5e034e901c7bbc1cffe 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1a_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=c74a68d5c5149b9013d6f19017495da6 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1a_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=6106d9dc7349369442a9b332b027aa1e 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1a_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=850d3f20b2f1e1ae7723f1462f7d9158 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1a_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=895b42f34892fbcc4f574bbea04dadb4 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1a_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=b85426a3b862b90519620b6cba290bec 1600w)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=c84cd1780191031b2875e34f6261495a 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=946c9891f944ee2804c254cfbc1643bc 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=15bd9f69ee2074430a32042025581a03 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=a112ca0ee8049fa8f070281c71e0305e 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=2ca054ef4d5083cc1caf6160e99292e8 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=de3e750c9e82d7b10bf22035af6097dd 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=20223a794561cef2a5bf87db6dece19b 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F1b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=4a47c525fc2824da2c3fea72b8a978e1 1600w)
Moving into the sub-alpine zone and an area of many lakes. All photos Mark Gunlogson and Juan Carlos Gonzalez
With the rainy season fast approaching, each day’s cloud build-up had a certain ominous feeling to it; leading us to wonder if it signaled the change of season. On this day, the rains and hail pelted us early as we walked up to camp. Miserably soaked, we opted to set-up camp and call it a day about two hours from base camp. “Is this the beginning of the end?” we wondered, as we listened to the rain turn to snow and accumulate on our tents. Hope returned the next day, though, as we crawled out of our tent to clear skies and incredible views of the peaks. Warm sun melted our ice-encrusted tents as we prepared to move to base camp. A pleasant hike up granite slabs and along crystal clear alpine lakes led us up to camp. Above, Colon and Simmonds rose in dramatic relief, their receding glaciers clinging precariously on the slabby bedrock.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC2_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=a975b2185649f94be80fd4e51f96e254 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC2_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=e95e3f1a3e698c6e0b0151864879d38a 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC2_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=0a6c0f21922377467e5a692be541e909 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC2_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=497f3d7dbbcdd45ad3f5ffd6694cdac0 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC2_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=f40194a23ded7c1493e972bce317ac85 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC2_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=3f4a34292f5c6733f2c9d982ac6dcd52 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC2_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=e141b681fdf3623d3e29c709aaa49177 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC2_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=df088223137d117f78a2da4a7bd299cd 1600w)
Drying out after a wet and cold night. First view of the mountains.
We made it; from tropical forests to glacier clad peaks- an epic journey for sure. We all dropped our loads thankfully and enjoyed a break, taking in the incredible surroundings in one of the planet’s few remaining relatively unexplored wild places.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC3_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=1a07d02ffc1acb101ae6a0cf488881cd 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC3_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=56cc06c55e6bf2adf34920fb4230cb43 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC3_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=fbad542dd3d024a41388c0879ea2ab2b 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC3_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=09ad7fe2603142935fdae815dbb6d2cd 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC3_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=b7bae74c04c3b6d3d470411ebc92e738 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC3_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=0e76669addaea58e4baef92b6a366523 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC3_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=3e544bf561c781e40f91d2514571c198 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC3_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=be5f187915bb40aa9a18c6f6f277bf72 1600w)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC4_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=008d3de92c7254f9fc1d608def28cb76 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC4_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=bee7d83ae1b7993f3e85f9c97128b812 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC4_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=06ad343d6c69ef2349c68ed31e811679 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC4_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=a05b33217997d997b06cdfb653065c85 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC4_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=82e6246ec81e9723381b363b3e715333 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC4_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=ef6db9cfd063ed178133bebea13d14b5 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC4_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=e64bc66d995ab87cd10accc734f00a46 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC4_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=841bdfc1b8927ce8b1a6b66a36358630 1600w)
Base camp and Simmonds Peak
Juan Carlos had climbed the mountain thirty years prior as an adventurous teenager, mentored by older Colombian climbers, but they had taken an altogether different approach. With only his distant memories about climbing Colon, some GPS mapping, and a trip report to rely on, we departed the next day into relatively unknown terrain. But, with an earlier than usual cloud build-up and staring down a narrow, canyon-like defile that dropped a long way before we could ascend slabs towards Colon, we saw only uncertainty and a shortage of time to take on the mountain. Recon trips like this often open the doors to amazing things — or sometimes slam the door shut where you thought it was open. Unfortunately, Colon slammed the door on us, and we returned to base camp to regroup.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC5_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=219e11f5843db2d87b7c71809b87f2fd 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC5_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=ba321168fbdd4673889addd63897bbaf 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC5_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=15c43e6dbe0e5045c1dd22085bc7be82 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC5_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=65261006735f8542e71e43a2151ae955 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC5_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=e5cb5634e89bf7c0214ebc03a2631020 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC5_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=5a008adf789ef9fbe226e050540a1226 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC5_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=ae6ee0d8e60dc6205f87bd4a11e9fa12 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC5_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=a318d533911895e7a65b31f1d83069fa 1600w)
Colon, the highest peak in the range, on the left.
Rising directly above camp, 18,450-foot Simmonds offered a welcoming west ridge to the third highest peak in the range; a fine consolation prize. The next day, Juan Carlos and Matteo climbed Simmonds, while I took an enjoyable rock scramble with porters Minjo and Benedict up the 17,351-foot Wilches Peak. We took in an amazing view at the top; from the jumbled icefall chaos that would have been our route up Colon, all the way down to a marine layer of clouds covering the Caribbean Sea, we had a view unique to Colombia and the highest coastal mountain range in the world.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC6_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=0a60d3b90fd3502b3c1e83ef52d31089 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC6_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=c47af587077fe5af991e29adcb31aa38 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC6_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=5a808ca746cae9ca17d506b02b614299 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC6_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=49892b7a2603814d13eb68ecb6bf0a91 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC6_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=a3dec9dfc354f92eb7648e835a3d180b 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC6_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=a73bf9aa5bc1974583c65f1339c7a658 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC6_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=5a5a7b1e85ec3f83bcf168b2249f5360 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC6_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=914701880342b080c2b4c9803bf72e72 1600w)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC7_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=a739ae915db9a4f0c463bc2e379f9aa2 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC7_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=9c62a4acf7ebaf4ca35f1eddd3fb5912 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC7_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=c57ef4edb878ad21832c6309c5d35193 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC7_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=c1dddfea8cf5aecf4347cb52a50d31ba 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC7_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=2f51855e62687e757dd1cedd915d363f 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC7_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=9eb84e8a5f970def747e7eb238f3207f 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC7_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=ef3f197308257885bbad91854373ed6c 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC7_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=d34434bbbf4b063560b980cf9d615dce 1600w)
Simmonds and the view from on top of Wilches.
Meanwhile, Juan Carlos and Matteo enjoyed an easy-moderate glacier climb up Simmonds. From its top, they also confirmed the route we had been looking at on Colon would have likely been impassable — its summit guarded by huge crevasses and bergschrunds spanning the entire width of the glacier. While our suspicions were confirmed that the route would not go, it was still a bittersweet discovery.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0360_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=e5c3596a8e93bfbe57cae9bbdf57ec8e 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0360_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=5a912ed2d7fec83401769232f079ec50 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0360_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=79af1d83fa48be04a4dc016b0d9d681e 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0360_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=33477cd460d5ee34a9dd59ac5183b0e3 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0360_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=68ba380ca047a43f4c3c130a9e0b1ff9 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0360_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=fcb103fdc00db45bd7c117bfd4d8e5ef 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0360_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=84877ade922b843ca307fa3ebc1ed787 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FIMG_0360_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=f333077680ab3f947d096a04b417f465 1600w)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=990deaf8ef684455621ba78053078bd6 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=8475c4af03f5f213a4f16bfce9d82184 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=1cddd674bc322acedf1207635091a2a5 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=7d3c57da6ea9ecbcb3a159d9a4914f54 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=07c49bfc2b44e9c97d95a2c50d298e7d 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=6e1a6f261d923309abee236d4ed75fae 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=3a720f13ac99e89ddedc0fb1a25b2b2b 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8b_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=20344f75c9eb043e61809e2f0a02170d 1600w)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8c_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=b286bd7ec92e50c508516bfe1bb2f917 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8c_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=679a39a5bbb75b053024e0174fc97c9b 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8c_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=68e6c9b8b534752facb9b96a57cd933b 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8c_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=8bef3bde56fee6401af1dd1a5b659e30 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8c_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=29a64b125f220da5546f7f034a7b1e31 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8c_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=8375218a732beb1eae53e2ff8251d16a 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8c_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=66f7d26fe0ceb4671972ce4d36b72452 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC8c_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=9e769748d09e5e925cf376ac6dae1d8c 1600w)
The highest part of the range and Juan Carlos and Matteo heading up Simmonds.
This expedition was not just about climbing Colon, however, but about the whole experience, from jungle to glaciers and a step back in time visiting the Kogi people. Their lifestyle remains largely unchanged for hundreds of years, but they now live only a day and a half walk from civilization and their future interaction with the modern world is all but ensured. Mountain Madness will undoubtedly be the first commercial group into the area, and our hope is to build a viable tourist model with the Kogi that encourages sustainability for the long-term; something that has often proved elusive in this type of scenario.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC11_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=252de9ac4e64e541a1eaf4c3766271f4 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC11_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=bc2c46bbf5383a76b97cacab82a72804 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC11_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=0f3c7a7add1762a60871ea3b9f9d8dbf 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC11_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=0b0a7ab39da17fdf5f3cfef2a705f58e 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC11_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=4f2f4d0da0685ea738b1da8bfb2dc36c 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC11_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=2abde79fac64c7fc3e804a41335b8f09 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC11_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=6f86b434c634390942e04f59ec5ef881 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC11_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=b528dff0894755f5ce1cfef4485ba440 1600w)
Author and Mountain Madness owner, Mark Gunlogson, with Kogi shaman and family.
As we walked out, savoring the adventure we just had, but also eager for the luxuries of Santa Marta, we came across the shaman that had given us his blessing to travel into his people’s land over a week before. As is the practice here, he and his family were clearing the forest for a new place to live, grow crops, and continue their subsistence way of living. He and his wife graciously listened to our stories about our adventure, while their son played and chased the family dog through the jungle. This was for me one of the most poignant moments in all my years of travel; being amongst a culture soon to be changed forever. We later learned that the shaman’s wife was blind; she walked barefoot in the forest.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC10_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=bd3d111eeb20b3724c9c39bd2224e330 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC10_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=3eb53c3ac72978395479182f4511f044 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC10_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=c6f62cdd6df8d72470fb16e0e3727912 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC10_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=f74f62f32cc93424b50bb7758556a76d 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC10_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=cfb01fd2e173617ef8375019a0ebcdb3 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC10_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=eb94096ee5f52662356fd5e560e48e05 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC10_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=c534d757f719a10ac5c9ce030feab6d8 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC10_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=d95700f40caa74dee2b3ce4e5c4f2687 1600w)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC12_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=c8e259dc31daff25c9bfcfdd5137be34 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC12_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=f108f2b097e050f435e6af24599a1ede 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC12_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=54ce169e1945dcf69e29b6871d42afe7 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC12_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=2d1f805514d950dc71deef3188f8d18c 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC12_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=31640ff93439480bdb15424534d2c939 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC12_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=c1c54bc728c1f8f7a8c327b13fcc5e38 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC12_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=6c01e8ebc2e4e31357075db6cb2d46fa 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC12_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=e4094774e736a2c36e650d5706f61809 1600w)
Juan Carlos and Matteo, top; bottom photo showing our team.
Postscript: We discovered our trekking and climbing route proved difficult at best and not suitable for a guided expedition. Recon trips are full of both expected and unexpected challenges, but once checked into bungalows on the Caribbean in Tayrona National Park, we found ourselves satisfied with the outcome of the trip and formulated a new game plan. After some rest and relaxation, Juan Carlos and Matteo would travel to a different Kogi settlement, one that we hoped would have easier access to the mountains and include pack animals. As they would find out, after some careful negotiation, this group of Kogis would welcome us in the future as well. The sense of adventure is still intact with this approach to the mountains. Familiarity with would-be trekkers and explorers is all but unknown, let alone the difficulty of obtaining permission to access the region. And with the blessings of the Kogis and some mutually agreed-upon conditions, a trip of immeasurable uniqueness awaits in a world where wild places like this are rapidly shrinking.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC13_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=237da2c2ea0f2a141d0106a324178e5f 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC13_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=519a7153ac099fa17173347fe1633892 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC13_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=da01f0694344665847fa2e64e9b10962 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC13_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=767f8a2a8ca2b5418815dc891a045255 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC13_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=e6746401a90e1abfa91e45cbe64becda 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC13_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=d089594ca13bec9d392bf4ebb9dac5b7 1200w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC13_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=1b797c2cc31bde3ea76f678dae9c6e76 1400w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC13_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=d18622fd121b1745ce664ed3a792bfc1 1600w)
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC14_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=285da04f9e1508405311f7fe8802feac 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC14_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=c8ad8b9f7e3756ed89f1747f554f2ca3 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC14_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=d6cb0e64bb7600c41e68fac56184c012 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC14_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=c502d1e38ca69274b6a2a78991a1cf7c 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC14_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=46038748f2a6944154f6eb4a6909eb28 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC14_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=3c75b669fb1f65226c43271375e2f231 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC14_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=fed18fa21ca60d2efa6804f0fec15390 640w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2FC14_2048.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=70e1e45ac2ac329875af475a24d99126 640w)
Beach time!
~Mountain Madness President Mark Gunlogson