A massive landslide caused by the Christmas Eve rains has blocked segment one of the Waitukubuli National Trail at the summit of Morne Crabier.
This week hikers were stopped in their tracks by the slide. “I was absolutely speechless when I saw it,” said Paul Crask, who had been hiking from the Soufriere end of the segment towards Scott’s Head. Crask, the author of the Bradt Travel Guide to Dominica and an experienced hiker of the Trail, said, “A picnic bench was teetering on the edge and one of the benches was halfway down the slope. There was no alternative but to turn back.”
The WNT office said that last year a sign had been placed at the Scott’s Head end of the segment indicating that the segment was closed after the trail had deteriorated at another point on the climb up to Morne Crabier. It was hoped that another sign would now be placed at the Soufriere end of that segment.
From reports received, the WNT office said that all others sections of the trail were open although there had been a recent slide along section 13 (Penville to Capuchin). This had now been cleared, said the WNT official.
papabodyea
wow
just know tresspassers will be deal’t with
Wow! A bit frightening though I must admit.
Peter say how you obtained the land. lol
What can be done about landslides? It is part of nature. As we say, Mother Nature.
In Canada, the words are, “an act of God” even though some do not recognize him and do not want his Holy Name mentioned in their presence or workplace as they greet others at Christmas, happy holidays instead of “A Blessed, Happy, Merry Christmas”. Hypocrites eh!
My electricity went off in summer for a few hours in the late evening. Thank God it was not longer.
Ontario had a power outage at Christmas and New Years, the latter for some. The majority of people were without electricity, some for as much as 5 days or more. To my surprise, those on air called it an act of God. I call it a punishment and to keep us on the alert, as a reminder of what is yet to come.
In summer 2013 Toronto had a rain storm which also caused a power outage in some areas for days. Poor people. Some of those same people had a power outage at Christmas; some until after New Years. Talk about lightning striking twice.
Out in the open as on the Waitukubuli Trail with heavy rain, landslides are to be expected. Careful people in the future.
The Money is finished . They did what they wanted with it and now begins the deterioration.This is what happens when a government snatches an idea from dedicated Persons who have a genuine love for nature,they envisioned a National trail that would have been managed by volunteers as a labour of love!
Instead the Project was snatched from them just as the finances were being negotiated.They stole the Credit and never mentioned the name of Person who initiated the vision not until they tried to involve volunteers and of course the money all used up . Today the trail is going to grass and I predict that it will disappear in time.
Where is Morn Crabiere?
Morne Crabiere is located in the heights of Scott’s Head, and can be reached by climbing the trail.
Trees, trees, trees…………
Dominica is a mountainous place and trees play a vital role in keeping the land slides in check. As the environmental conditions (weather) changes, we are going to see more landslides and even people dying in places where trees have been cut down. So Dominicans we all have a role to play in ensuring that few trees are cut down and in places where trees have been cut down, we should be planted new trees. Finally remember where trees have been cut down, the eventual landslide could kill a family, friend or even you.
So remember trees, trees, trees…………….
In view of progress and construction of new roads, I wonder if not cutting trees could be avoided. Trees which are planted take years to grow.
The same applies including flooding due to construction of new roads and new housing projects. This is why Dominica has been experiencing floods in certain areas where none ever occurred then.
I resided in Dominica in those days where there was more land than houses especially new ones as at Canefield and Checkhall and other areas where there have been severe flooding.
I have given this a good thought. How many new roads were built and how many trees were cut down in those days? Practically none.
It is something which some nationals do not consider. Some have stated it is due to poor planning. I laugh and scoff at that. They do not think in-depth, at least to a certain extent, of the reason for flooding and also landslides.
So it took 3 weeks for this to be brought to attention? This is just lazy and poor maintenance of the trail, if it was an advanced hike turning around and hiking back wouldn’t be an option for exhausted people.
You have no idea what you are talking about.
That is why the trail was designed so that the next village or main road is relatively near.
Are you retarded? there are trails where villages or roads are barely seen, example segment four, when you pass middleham falls theres really no turning back
These areas are very prone to slides so hikers should exercise extreme caution.
This is my land at Mt crabbiere that the Govt stole and trespassed onto to pass der segment 1 Trail. let me see what they will do again. keep disrespecting people’s private land, like we hAVE NO LAW NO C*NT-STITUSHON. that is Peter karam’s land they stole and trespassed onto.
Maybe you did not get the compensation you expected but thanks for your contribution to making DA the only one in the Caribbean to have a national trail and to allow people to keep fit and enjoy more leisurely pursuits (than the rum shop sewo). On the plus side its less maintenance for you too
. Then again maybe in an uncanny way that also contributed to the soil erosion/land slip!
Peter
how did you obtain that land ?
when did you purchase it ?
from whom did you purchase it
do you actually know where Morne Crabierre is?
Dow push me right .
They forgot people hike from the other direction too man?
I hope it’s re routed soon. That trail is on my list!
Murder….