Another Green Mountain Hike

Outside of "One Boat" village.

Lots of old trophies.

A very old pump house from the early 1800s.

Cross Hill from a distance.

A friend just bought a car. The then 90-minute walk to Green Mountain is now about a 20-minute drive. This leaves lots more time on the various trails. 

The trails are beautiful and in full bloom from recent rain.

A trail cut through rock by the British Marines in the early 1800s.

Land crabs sizing each other up.

The path can be a bit tricky at times.

There are many different colors of land crabs. Great camouflage with this color. Female land crabs lay their eggs in salt water. The crabs had a long walk to get this high and far from the sea. 

Another day of exploring.

A marine captain built this small cottage near the summit. 

On my last Green mountain trip, I hiked to the bamboo forest at the summit.

The trails we walked this day.

This guy was huge.

All of the hikes have a letterbox like this. Inside is a visitors' log book to sign and a stamp for your hiking book.

Beautiful Shell Ginger abounds everywhere. 

Ascension Island could be another Hawaii if it received more rain.

Before blooming.

 

                                                            Land crabs.

Comfortless Cove Part 2

I walked to the town of Two Boats on the other side of the island.

The school.

The RAF Base of Travellers Hill.

A typical barracks.

The island cacti are in full bloom. Pretty.

One of the beaches near the base. Island water is so clear.

This spot is known as "The Blackfish cafe". These are black tropical triggerfish.

The Blackfish Cafe. Leftover dining hall food is thrown out on the cement ramp. This attracts thousands of blackfish eating the leftovers. Of course, the sharks move in too. The swell throws the blackfish on the rocks. The next wave redeposits them back in the water. It is pretty funny to watch.

A view of One Boat village from the top of Cross Hill - 870 feet.

Ascension Air Force Base.

Georgetown.

Comfortless Cove is near the Ascension Radar site on the upper right. The first time I walked there I returned by way of many steep lava gullies from the radar dome to the beach on the left. It was a brutal long hike across the volcanic landscape. I kept thinking that if I fell in a gully and broke a leg I would probably never be found.

My exercise routines include walking up Cross Hill many times in a row. A very steep 870 feet. My record this day was 7 trips to the top. It is only possible to walk on the hill road as the volcanic gravel is so loose.

There are two cemeteries from the early 1800s at Comfortless Cove. 

Comfortless Cove used to be called Comfort Cove. But when passing ships dropped off fevered crew and passengers to fend for themselves the name was changed.

Sharks be damned! I went swimming. It was so refreshing after the one hour walk to get there. The blackfish surrounded me!

What a beautiful tropical beach. I will return with my snorkeling gear.

Bonetta Cemetary has a fascinating history.

The remains of yellow-fevered crew and passengers are buried under rocks.

It was a brutal life back then and still is for many people in this world.

No digging into volcanic rock. Lay the body on top and cover it with rocks.

A very old and weathered headstone.

 

                                                        The Blackfish Cafe!