The Land of the Eternal Mist

I visited a place where the clouds wander freely; where the chilly mist covers everything and where life thrives magically. Cerro de la Muerte is not only the highest point on the Pan-American highway, but it is also a unique ecosystem. The Frailejón plant was my favorite discovery. It grows up to three meters tall, and its wooly rosettes of leaves store water. In this thin air, it was an epic climb to the peak. The climb was worth it when I reached the Cerro de la Muerte sign and saw a sea of clouds at my feet. Beyond the mist lie the idyllic towns of San Josecito and Providencia, home to hardworking people who live and farm in the gorgeous valleys.