Vale do Pati (BA) – Treading the Jolly Green Giant

Date: 12/06/2012 to 15/06/2012

Saimos of: Linen – BA

Destination: Guinea, an entry in the Pati Valley

Distance: 81km

Travel time: 1 time

Path: Saimos Lençóis, rumo a BR-242, Seabra-BA sense. After about 29km we took the road that goes Guinea-BA, Palmeiras through BA-. This whole journey was made with the Hare, our tour guide in the Chapada Diamantina.

Where to sleep: Dona Raquel, in the first two nights and His Wilson and Maria, on the last night.

What eat different: Braised green papaya and green banana cream in her native

Filled Tire : There were several, but the difference between this tour is the interaction with the natives. A specific situation that was marked in the commitment to see an American who was also staying at the home of Dona Raquel trying to teach a native to play Hey Jude in the accordion.

Flat Tire : The time, that on the one hand easier to walk, Our concealed by another first order. The time in Pati was closed during the first three days, with the sun opening only at opening.

In the midst of plains landscapes with, waterfalls and lush views, is the Pati Valley, a place that significantly increased our contact with nature and with native. Its immensity and beauty is such that it became one of the biggest attractions not only "ordinary tourists" Chapada Diamantina, who go in search of rest and a beautiful landscape, but also for hikers and adventure. It was recently voted by a magazine specializing in adventure as the third best track in the world, just behind the trail of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, voted the best in the world and the Inca Trail, em Machu Picchu, no Peru. Our trip totaled 60km, divided em 4 days and to guide us, Outside the staff of the Trail, agency specializing in tours and climbing the Chapada, selected Harebol, who had guided us the day before the tour of the caves. Indeed, the early experience we had with Hare on the first day made us want further contact with him. Over 40 years of life experience, and 17 these as a guide in the plating, o Hare, received on behalf of their function 6 years lived as Hare Khrishna, cause the first was inspirational life story of what we know along the way. It is a lover of his profession and in his spare time is part of the fire brigade of the plateau. If one day, some of our readers have the opportunity to visit the plateau, strongly recommend be guided by the Hare, not only by the person, but for their professional quality, especially his deep knowledge of the region.

For as 3 nights we spent there, we stayed at the home of native, descendants of the diamond diggers of the nineteenth century. According to the natives themselves, live 17 people distributed in 4 houses scattered by Pati. In spite of being 20 km of Guine, the nearest village, the houses have electricity Pati, proveninete de 2 solar panels at home provided by Coelba as part of the Federal Government, Light for the whole. Although not abundant, scores some points of light in the house.

Day 1: We left around Sheets 9:30, bound for Guinea, where we left the hostel with a Tanajura stalls to dry and got a run in the back of a D20 to the "alley", Based on the first hill to enter the courtyard. Packs attack back to the minimum possible weight, started walking uphill. With the cloudy weather and everybody rested, the first rise, despite the long and steep was overcome without much trouble. After climbing, reached a plateau with a low vegetation through which we walk a little more than 3hrs. No fim, faced with a fascinating view, but depending on the sawmill can not see it completely. At that time, could already feel the immensity of the place and the feeling of freedom and peace took hold in. We knew that would be 4 days in total harmony with nature, in the crudest form that already had experienced. After the photos and the contemplation of that "visu" as said the Hare, descent time of. This was undoubtedly the most pulled from the first day. It was almost a straight wall, a decrease of about 500 meters. We do not use ropes, but sometimes, was necessary to help us through the pack from one to the other as would wear in reaching. After little more than 1 time, again we were on a plain, already close to the house of Dona Raquel, where we spent the first two nights. Arriving at home, two boys were shy and polite in. They were brothers, children of Dona Raquel, she went to Guinea and because of that, we do not know them. The houses were very simple, the walls seemed to be made of adobe, painted blue, and the ground was dry clay and beaten.

The night, after the hearty dinner, we were able to interact with John and Andrew, who played in the "den of music", an extension of the house of Dona Raquel. There were several instruments, as zabumba, triangle, gourd, guitar and rattle. We were not so skilled with the tools, so we were more in the palms and occasionally someone risked a rattle or triangle.

Day 2: We woke up around 6:30, which would be pulled over the day. After a breakfast and fancy, were ready, with backpacks equipped with everything we were entitled. Lanterna of cabeça, carbohydrate gel, protetor solar, epipen, raincoat, repellent, water, clor-in, knife, whistle, etc.. The second day's hike would be a little shorter, apenas 10km, compared to the first day 16km. But, was a different route, basically a long and steep climb to reach "Castle”. After about 5hrs of much effort and sweat, reached the summit of "Castle", so named by locals as a function of the similarity of the formation of rocks and mountains with medieval castles.

The view once again impressed us. Lá to top, with the wind blowing in our faces, the feeling of freedom was indescribable. We had all that expanse of green still exploring.

After the stones lie down and appreciate all that "visu", time to begin preparing to return. He had no shortcut, the fall is the inverse of the increase. At last, We were all extremely worn, but still want to know "Waterfall of funnels". It was around 16hrs and still had not stopped to eat. We needed to go fast, otherwise, would be on track during the night. We exchanged the quiet past and calculated steps by more accelerated until, when we realize, were running. We were like children, mata running to within, laughing, slipping into the earth to lose my breath. Within minutes we were swimming in the icy waters of the waterfall and eating a cheese sandwich and salad prepared the Hare. We arrived back at the house of Dona Raquel soon as it grew dark. A janta, plentiful and tasty, reenergizava in and let us ready for bed. But tonight we know 2 Americans, father and daughter, they gave us some tips about Alaska, since he had spent a few days there. The highlight of the evening was after dinner, the "house music", where one of the children of Dona Raquel, the John, that tocava accordion, was super interested in learning to play the music that the U.S. played using only the keyboard, afinal or gringo was a pianist. The commitment of all who were there was great, but went beyond the gringo. Patiently, did everything, to hold the hand of John passing notes in the chorus. At the end of the night, John was able to produce a sound close to the track. But, the next day, just for breakfast, asked that the gringo is checássemos musical notes he had written on a sheet of paper to give John were correctly translated. The difference of language and class was not an obstacle for the two "work together". Not to let anyone curious, music was the Beatles, Hey Jude.

Day 3: After hearty breakfast at Dona Raquel, packed up our backpacks and went to the house of Dona Maria, that was the way to the "Cachoeirão”. We knew that walking would be the longest of all, but softer, after most of the time that the walk was 18km plain. The Sun drew an appearance, but it was not long lasting. After some time, we arrived at "Cachoeirão over ".

The view was the most impressive of all we had Pati Valley. The canyon possessed 8 falling water when we `d, But at certain times the number of falls reaches more than 20.

After appreciating the landscape, went to a stream of dark water, as almost all of the waterfalls Pati, with a tree in the middle of the river. After the snack as traditional, o Hare nos avisou: "Bora but that Mrs. Black will come soon", referring to the approaching night. When we arrive home, find or farmstead, Seu Wilson e Dona Maria, a girl believed to be daughter, and a couple of Swiss. Later reached 2 Americans who were being led by a Swiss, who lived on the plateau for several years now. We talked a bit during dinner, tions the fatigue on the bed looking fez earlier.

Day 4: Agreement the 6:00 morning, drank coffee, and it was time to return, because the journey would be long: 16km. Were 4 hour walk to reach back to the alley, as we enter and go out for Guinea, instead of hanging Andaraí. On the way, we were privileged to view in full, that we had lost the first day. Arriving in Sheets, plenty of fluids to hydrate, a lot of laundry and countless memories that will last a lifetime!