In contrast to the green of the Venezuelan valleys, the tops of the mountains are gray and bare. Mike and I stepped off the tram and started walking down a trail.  We couldn't walk fast because of the high elevation. About half way down, the trail turned almost straight up but we endeavored to the top of the pass. On the walk back to the tram, Mike picked up trail trash and we both wondered why we didn't just hire a mule to take us to the top.