el monte: the bush (or the backwoods)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPGiEwaxWjTPsxiKyECu5-R3cWoJG74x6D94_ljxAPlSwtI6VvOzs_6qBzPzUURSgtZ7BResUvhsVEZkB8BaT8Cgpxq2Qx-VeksAkULIlCm-CYFsii2qn0JwoibpzH2zHumNyczNWcNI/s320/argggh.jpg)
I lean towards the bush, I think the connotation is closer. Along those lines, I render romper monte as bushwhacking. I recently saw el monte rendered as just 'the woods,' which I think is a bit off, but it was in
this excellent article comparing how the Colombian government is trying to remake both victims and demobilizing guerrillas, which I recommend.
Not sure what bushwhacking is? Read this
masochist's guide to bushwhacking, where I got this photo. It's really much better done with a machete in hand, which rompiendo monte always seems to involve. Just imagine a campesino wearing a helmet like this to do it!