I would like to meet up for coffee with people who have hiked in Colombia recently and are willing to share some advice or are interested in hiking in February 2016. I would like to find some experience hiking partners that enjoy a bit of a challenge while getting to know the local culture.

I am suggesting meeting next Friday any time from 5 to 8 pm at Waves (1095 W Broadway) because I have to choose a date to post a trip and that is the first day I am available. Happy to change date/location or organize more than one meeting. If interested, contact me at nchapinal@gmail.com

My hiking plans are flexible, but this is more or less what I have in mind (I also posted a thread in the 'looking for partners' forum):

I am planning to go to Colombia in February (first 3 weeks of February). I would like to hike in El Cocuy National Natural Park (with or without a local guide) and

Los Nevados National Natural Park (without guide). I have added a few links below. If you have been there recently and have some advice or you would like to join me, please let me know.

I have quite a lot of experience hiking and backpacking, mostly in BC and Europe.  I am thinking of doing some multi-day hikes, covering a substantial distance and elevation gain (sleeping in tents, huts or with local families). My plans are totally flexible.

Spanish is my first language and I have traveled a lot in Latin America. Moving around using public transportation should be no problem, which would keep the cost low and would allow us to enjoy the real Colombian culture.

El Cocuy National Natural Park

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Cocuy_National_Park

http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/portal/es/ecoturismo/region-andina/parque-nacional-natural-cocuy/

http://www.pnncocuy.com/

http://www.desktodirtbag.com/sierra-nevada-del-cocuy-colombia/

http://backpackerreport.com/2013/03/13/el-cocuy-national-park/

http://theadventuresofadr.com/2013/08/20/el-cocuy-national-park-colombia/

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/travel/02explorer.html?_r=0

Local guide (in case I end up hiring one, Rodrigo is the best I found so far):

http://www.danbm.com/cocuy/guides.html

Los Nevados National Natural Park

http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/portal/es/ecoturismo/region-andina/parque-nacional-natural-los-nevados/#

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Nevados_National_Natural_Park