22 May Green Mountain

Early visitors to Ascension Island at the the beginning of the 19^th century described the island as barren, with very few plants. There were some ferns, mosses and some grasses on the high slopes of what is now called Green Mountain, the highest peak on the island. It was known simply as The Peak and a height of 2817 feet.
Charles Darwin visited in 1836 and lamented the island was without trees though he admired the vegetables gardens that some marines had begun. In 1843 Darwin's friend, and later Director of Royal Botanical Kew Gardens, Dr Joseph Hooker visited and proposed a plan to increase vegetation on the mountain. His strategy was to plant trees to increase rainfall and vegetation to the steep slopes to prevent soil erosion and introduced a variety of crops. More than 220 exotic plant species from around the world were introduced and today flourish to be the largest man made ecological system in the world.

one of the 6 tunnels

garrison

Tom explains the history

Victorian water catchment

We could see the mountain from the boat towering over the island and had a leaflet of the walks . To reach the top we first grabbed a lift with the marine biologist to the town of Two Boats and from here another new friend, Tom a teacher at the school, drove us up the steep and twisting road to the top car park.

...and rest

tunnel

great viewing spot

Scots pines planted for masts

At the top are buildings no longer used; the Red Lion pub and guest house and a garrison post. Tom pointed out a large concreted area below the garrison; a Victorian installation to collect rain water for the island. He suggested we take Elliot's Pass, a circular walk around the peak with six tunnels cut through the rock. It's original use was to allow soldiers to watch all the coastline and seas for slave trading and pirate ships. The views of the island are spectacular. Being at almost 900m the climate is cooler and damper. The tall trees seen are Scots pine planted to supply masts for ships.

road down to Two Boats town

Land crab

After completing the loop walk we continued down the winding road passed banana trees, eucalyptus and watching the endemic land crabs all the way back to Two Boats. On certain nights in February to April they migrate to North East bay to release their eggs in the sea. All crabs have right of way on the highways and there is a hefty fine for driving over one.

From Two boats we hitched a ride back to Georgetown.