Author: Donn Griffin

The island of Nevis, part of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies, is not just a geographical marvel but also a rich tapestry of history and culture. Originally named by its Spanish colonizers as “Nuestra Señora de las Nieves,” translating to “Our Lady of the Snows,” this name reflects the ethereal beauty of Nevis Peak. This potentially active stratovolcano, the island’s highest point at 985 meters (3,232 feet), dominates the landscape of Nevis, positioned at its center. Climbing Nevis Peak is an adventure far beyond a mere hike; it’s a challenging ascent involving rope rappelling and traversing diverse terrain. My son Keifer and I embarked on this demanding journey, which took us through a trail filled with varied sizes of rocks and roots, particularly from local rubber trees. The path was steep, often muddy and slippery, requiring us to use guide ropes extensively. The ascent is a full-body workout, taking us approximately 6 hours in total – 3 hours to climb up and another 3 to descend. We covered over 2,000 vertical feet and 6.7 miles, with few flat spots offering brief respite. Essential for this climb are ample water and a backpack. Halfway up, we caught a glimpse of the Nevisian landscape through the jungle canopy, a view briefly expanded at a resting point where our guide, Lee, showed us a vista of the Caribbean Sea far below. The summit of Nevis Peak, shrouded in clouds, offered a different kind of reward. While we couldn’t see Charlestown due to the weather, the sense of achievement and the symbolic connection to my mother, Helen Angelica Griffin, and our heritage was profound. We celebrated atop the peak, singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her, a native of Nevis. Descending was an equally intense experience, akin to rappelling down the mountain, often requiring us to scoot or lower ourselves carefully from handhold to handhold. Nevis, with its rich history, was originally known as “Oualie” (land of beautiful waters) by the Kalinago and “Dulcina” (Sweet Island) by early British settlers. The island is a part of the Leeward Islands chain in the Caribbean Sea, situated near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles, about 350 kilometers east-southeast of Puerto Rico. Nevis, also known as the “Queen of the Caribees” for its numerous sugar plantations in the 18th century, holds a significant place in the Caribbean’s cultural and natural heritage…. for me it’s my ancestral home.