Several companies have announced they are suspending their tours to Duarte Peak due to the constant heavy rains and the poor trail conditions. Oscar Canizares, of Camping Tours, announced that the conditions are inadequate for the difficult hike up to the 3,087-meter peak, the highest mountain in the Caribbean. He announced that their tours would not resume until weather conditions improved. Yesterday, the Ministry of Environment’s protected areas department also recommended that tours to Pico Duarte be suspended. December and January are the busiest months for excursions to the mountain because usually there is less rainfall, but this year those who have gone have met with unusually tough conditions.