USUMACINTA RIVER EXPEDITION GEAR, ETC.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Meet in Panchan Hotel, Palenque by Mid afternoon
Day 2 Transport people and equipment from Palenque to Frontera - Camp At Yaxchilan, 6:00AM start
Day 3 Yaxchilan
Day 4 Chicozapote Falls
Day 5 Piedras Negras - Camp At Playa Zaraguatos
Day 6 Cascada de Busilja
Day 7 Busilja
Day 8 Rio Chocol-ha
Day 9 Cañon de San Jose - Camp At Francisco Madera
Day 10 Take out at Boca del Cañada (3:00 PM) and transport to Palenque - Big Party
Day 11 Head for Home
CAMPING
Since we will be camping on sandy beaches we won’t have to deal with many of the discomforts and precautions involved in setting up camp under the jungle canopy. We have run an entire trip without setting up a single tent (no rain no bugs). But a well screened tent is a necessary precaution.
Few bugs visit the beaches during the month of March and most are friendly. We have found gnats to be more of a problem then mosquitoes and then only for about thirty minutes both morning and evening. We have yet to encounter swarms of mosquitoes.
If it does not rain you can sleep comfortably with just a sheet and blanket. If we have a day or two of rain, polypropylene or wool long-johns, or a light weight sleeping bag are recommended.
Shorts, river sandals and socks are appropriate for camp but you will need a long sleeved shirt and long pants to go “trekking” in the rainforest. During the day dress to go swimming from the boats but have a hat and light shirt handy to avoid sunburn.
MEDICATIONS
The most common affliction of travelers is what they refer to in Mexico as, “tourista”. If this is your first time to Mexico don’t eat anything sold by the street vendors no matter how good it smells. Avoid uncooked foods and drink only purified or bottled water or beverages.
If you have any particular allergies i.e., insect bites, sulfa, penicillin, etc., consult your doctor and lets us know if special medication is needed. We advise that any lotions, creams, insect repellants, etc., that have not been used by a person prior to the trip should be tested to check for allergic reactions. Malaria has been officially eradicated in Mexico. However, the Guatemalan mosquitoes are unaware of this fact. There are enough cases during the year to make taking the medication prudent. Ask your Doctor for his preference of malaria pills and dosage (Because of adverse reactions some people have to some of the malaria prophylaxis medicines, many people prefer not to take the medications but take other precautions like; using good bug dope liberally and covering up legs and arms in early morning and evenings and sleeping well protected by good mosquito netting). Very important is to carry your personal anti-fungal cream or spray.
PERSONAL GEAR LIST
Sleeping bag- small, light synthetic or similar poly blanket
Thermarest or other sleeping pad
Cotton sheet (for hot nights)
Small ground cloth for tent
Pillow case (Plus jacket which can be used as a pillow)
Tent (2 person backpack/ 2 per)
1 Tennis shoes
1 Tevas or Thongs
3 pr socks
2 T-shirts
1 swim suit/shorts
Lightweight, long sleeved shirt (nylon, cotton or synthetic)
Lightweight Pants (cotton nylon or synthetic)
Hat and/or cap
Sweater or jacket (synthetic fleece type)
Windbreaker/rain shell
Bandana
Small towel or chamois
Biodegradable soap (Dr. Bronner’s)
Sunglasses (and straps to keep from losing them)
Pocket knife
Flashlight /batteries (small, waterproof, headlights are cool)
Insect repellent
Suntan lotion (15+ or more) —VERY MPORTANT!
Personal Toilet Articles / personal first aid – there will be a group first aid kit
Personal leak proof (1 liter) water bottle
Personal water treatment (iodine pills or small pump)
Plastic zip lock bags- small and large
$200 USD Spending money—change to pesos before arrival at group site
Optional
Small waterproof camera (wear it or leave it!) and film
Playing cards, binoculars, book --in ziplocks
Small collapsible umbrella – for sun or rain
Some light cord for clothesline or other purposes
Personl booze supply decanted into plastic bottle(s)
REMEMBER: You will get wet daily on the river, if from nothing less than diving off the rafts for heat and sun relief. Sunburn protection is high priority, hence cotton or nylon clothing to wear and swim in during the day. Tennis shoes are a must! Days are hot, nights may be cool, hence fleece jacket or sweater. DON’T OVERPACK! You need only minimal gear. One “Bill’s Bag” (rubber river bag) for every two people. Space and weight are limited. If you want to bring something not on this list, please advise us. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t go.
USEFUL LINKS
One Participant's Account of the Adventure:
http://billlieberman.com/usu-rivertrip/index.htm
A global journal of practical ecotourism
a current archaeological project at Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico
http://www.mesoweb.com/palenque/
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies
http://www.famsi.org/
The Mesoamerica Center at the University of Texas at Austin
http://www.utmesoamerica.org/
The Usumacinta River
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usumacinta_River
HACH WINIK - Lacandon Maya communities
http://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/ocs/guatemala/assets/Nina_Shapiro_2014_Comps.pdf
A RECOMMENDED READING LIST
A. THE MAYA
Linda Schele and David Freidel
A Forest of Kings: The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya, William Morrow and Company, Inc. New York, 1990,
Chapters: 6 and 7
Carolyn Tate
Yaxchilan: The Design of a Maya Ceremonial City, University of Texas Press, Austin 1992
Michael Coe
Breaking the Maya Code, Thames and Hudson Inc., New York, 1992
Linda Schele and Mary Ellen Millar
The Blood of the Kings: Dynasty and Ritual in Maya Art, George Braziller, inc., New York in association with the Kimbell Art Musem, Fort Worth, Texas, 1986
Dennis Tedlock
Popol Vuh: Dawn of Life and the Glories of Gods and Kings, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1996
B. THE RIVER
Christopher Shaw
The Sacred Monkey River: A Canoe Trip with the Gods, W. W. Norton & Company: New York:London 2000
Teobert Maler
Researches in the Central Portions of the Usumatsintla Valley, Peabody museum Memoirs, vol.5, Cambridge, Mass., Peabody Museum of American Archaeology, Harvard University, 1901 -1903
C. FLORA AND FUANA
Norman Myers
The Primary Source: Tropical Forests and our Future, W.W. Norton and Company, New York:London, 1984
Day 1 Meet in Panchan Hotel, Palenque by Mid afternoon
Day 2 Transport people and equipment from Palenque to Frontera - Camp At Yaxchilan, 6:00AM start
Day 3 Yaxchilan
Day 4 Chicozapote Falls
Day 5 Piedras Negras - Camp At Playa Zaraguatos
Day 6 Cascada de Busilja
Day 7 Busilja
Day 8 Rio Chocol-ha
Day 9 Cañon de San Jose - Camp At Francisco Madera
Day 10 Take out at Boca del Cañada (3:00 PM) and transport to Palenque - Big Party
Day 11 Head for Home
CAMPING
Since we will be camping on sandy beaches we won’t have to deal with many of the discomforts and precautions involved in setting up camp under the jungle canopy. We have run an entire trip without setting up a single tent (no rain no bugs). But a well screened tent is a necessary precaution.
Few bugs visit the beaches during the month of March and most are friendly. We have found gnats to be more of a problem then mosquitoes and then only for about thirty minutes both morning and evening. We have yet to encounter swarms of mosquitoes.
If it does not rain you can sleep comfortably with just a sheet and blanket. If we have a day or two of rain, polypropylene or wool long-johns, or a light weight sleeping bag are recommended.
Shorts, river sandals and socks are appropriate for camp but you will need a long sleeved shirt and long pants to go “trekking” in the rainforest. During the day dress to go swimming from the boats but have a hat and light shirt handy to avoid sunburn.
MEDICATIONS
The most common affliction of travelers is what they refer to in Mexico as, “tourista”. If this is your first time to Mexico don’t eat anything sold by the street vendors no matter how good it smells. Avoid uncooked foods and drink only purified or bottled water or beverages.
If you have any particular allergies i.e., insect bites, sulfa, penicillin, etc., consult your doctor and lets us know if special medication is needed. We advise that any lotions, creams, insect repellants, etc., that have not been used by a person prior to the trip should be tested to check for allergic reactions. Malaria has been officially eradicated in Mexico. However, the Guatemalan mosquitoes are unaware of this fact. There are enough cases during the year to make taking the medication prudent. Ask your Doctor for his preference of malaria pills and dosage (Because of adverse reactions some people have to some of the malaria prophylaxis medicines, many people prefer not to take the medications but take other precautions like; using good bug dope liberally and covering up legs and arms in early morning and evenings and sleeping well protected by good mosquito netting). Very important is to carry your personal anti-fungal cream or spray.
PERSONAL GEAR LIST
Sleeping bag- small, light synthetic or similar poly blanket
Thermarest or other sleeping pad
Cotton sheet (for hot nights)
Small ground cloth for tent
Pillow case (Plus jacket which can be used as a pillow)
Tent (2 person backpack/ 2 per)
1 Tennis shoes
1 Tevas or Thongs
3 pr socks
2 T-shirts
1 swim suit/shorts
Lightweight, long sleeved shirt (nylon, cotton or synthetic)
Lightweight Pants (cotton nylon or synthetic)
Hat and/or cap
Sweater or jacket (synthetic fleece type)
Windbreaker/rain shell
Bandana
Small towel or chamois
Biodegradable soap (Dr. Bronner’s)
Sunglasses (and straps to keep from losing them)
Pocket knife
Flashlight /batteries (small, waterproof, headlights are cool)
Insect repellent
Suntan lotion (15+ or more) —VERY MPORTANT!
Personal Toilet Articles / personal first aid – there will be a group first aid kit
Personal leak proof (1 liter) water bottle
Personal water treatment (iodine pills or small pump)
Plastic zip lock bags- small and large
$200 USD Spending money—change to pesos before arrival at group site
Optional
Small waterproof camera (wear it or leave it!) and film
Playing cards, binoculars, book --in ziplocks
Small collapsible umbrella – for sun or rain
Some light cord for clothesline or other purposes
Personl booze supply decanted into plastic bottle(s)
REMEMBER: You will get wet daily on the river, if from nothing less than diving off the rafts for heat and sun relief. Sunburn protection is high priority, hence cotton or nylon clothing to wear and swim in during the day. Tennis shoes are a must! Days are hot, nights may be cool, hence fleece jacket or sweater. DON’T OVERPACK! You need only minimal gear. One “Bill’s Bag” (rubber river bag) for every two people. Space and weight are limited. If you want to bring something not on this list, please advise us. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t go.
USEFUL LINKS
One Participant's Account of the Adventure:
http://billlieberman.com/usu-rivertrip/index.htm
A global journal of practical ecotourism
a current archaeological project at Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico
http://www.mesoweb.com/palenque/
Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies
http://www.famsi.org/
The Mesoamerica Center at the University of Texas at Austin
http://www.utmesoamerica.org/
The Usumacinta River
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usumacinta_River
HACH WINIK - Lacandon Maya communities
http://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/ocs/guatemala/assets/Nina_Shapiro_2014_Comps.pdf
A RECOMMENDED READING LIST
A. THE MAYA
Linda Schele and David Freidel
A Forest of Kings: The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya, William Morrow and Company, Inc. New York, 1990,
Chapters: 6 and 7
Carolyn Tate
Yaxchilan: The Design of a Maya Ceremonial City, University of Texas Press, Austin 1992
Michael Coe
Breaking the Maya Code, Thames and Hudson Inc., New York, 1992
Linda Schele and Mary Ellen Millar
The Blood of the Kings: Dynasty and Ritual in Maya Art, George Braziller, inc., New York in association with the Kimbell Art Musem, Fort Worth, Texas, 1986
Dennis Tedlock
Popol Vuh: Dawn of Life and the Glories of Gods and Kings, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1996
B. THE RIVER
Christopher Shaw
The Sacred Monkey River: A Canoe Trip with the Gods, W. W. Norton & Company: New York:London 2000
Teobert Maler
Researches in the Central Portions of the Usumatsintla Valley, Peabody museum Memoirs, vol.5, Cambridge, Mass., Peabody Museum of American Archaeology, Harvard University, 1901 -1903
C. FLORA AND FUANA
Norman Myers
The Primary Source: Tropical Forests and our Future, W.W. Norton and Company, New York:London, 1984