What began as an exercise to just get used to high altitudes ended up being an adventure. Of course.
This morning Toni, Dad and I rode the Teleférico (cable car) to about 4000 meters, and then began hiking. We walked with a family of three that had ridden in the cable car with us. It was nice to have a stream of friendly conversation as we plodded along the path upward. We frequently stopped to catch our breath and enjoy the panorama of the mountains. You can see all of Quito from there, spread out in the valley at least 50km from North to South.
Soon the long wavy bushes and muddy path gave way to heartier shrubs and a narrower rock path. When we hit that rocky part, the family we were with just wanted to point out the way for us, but then decided to turn back. As we bid them goodbye we met up with Jordy, a Catalan who had arrived in Ecuador a few days ago. His plan was to hike a bit and turn back. Little did he know the power of group encouragement!
We continued and passed a group on the way down from the summit. They gave us an estimate of how much we had left to go, because by now we had decided that we would make it to the top. A steep sandy patch and then some rocky clambering welcomed us to the top along with fog settling in. Jordy was tempted to turn back after the sandy incline (as well as before it, we had already said goodbye to him), but faced with the prospect of descending alone or continuing with us, he gave in. At the top (at 4,696 meters) we ate pizza and tostada before heading back down.
We had just begun to wonder where the path down through the rocks went when it began to hail...hard. Suddenly the slopes were white and hailstones were running their merry way down the mountain. Rocks became slippery and hidden, and after pushing aside some panic, we continued slowly downward as our fingers lost all feeling. It was difficult to know whether you really were holding onto a rock or not. A group below us had turned back just short of the top when the hail hit, so we gladly followed their tracks, almost skiing through sandy mounds of hail as the sky thundered around us. We began to weave our way down the mountain with the group.
The same path we had come up the side of the mountain was now snow-covered and more slippery. The fog began to lift more and we suddenly saw the Quito valley below us, sunny and untouched by our weather dilemmas. After we left the rocky zone and entered the short bushes, our adrenaline levels returned to normal and elation set in. We ran down the inclines and sloshed our way in the mud. The sky cleared as we lowered the bottom, and Ruco stood above us, unperturbed by the elements that made our way so hazardous. The crater of Guagua Pichincha also peaked out over the mass of Padre Encantado (Enchanted Father), in full snowy regalia.
At the Teleférico café the sun, a heater, and some nice hot chocolate warmed our bones. We laughed at our experiences and felt cold toes as we rode the cable car back down to the sunny city. It turns out we have more sisu in us than we thought! Note to self: next time take gloves!
This morning Toni, Dad and I rode the Teleférico (cable car) to about 4000 meters, and then began hiking. We walked with a family of three that had ridden in the cable car with us. It was nice to have a stream of friendly conversation as we plodded along the path upward. We frequently stopped to catch our breath and enjoy the panorama of the mountains. You can see all of Quito from there, spread out in the valley at least 50km from North to South.
Soon the long wavy bushes and muddy path gave way to heartier shrubs and a narrower rock path. When we hit that rocky part, the family we were with just wanted to point out the way for us, but then decided to turn back. As we bid them goodbye we met up with Jordy, a Catalan who had arrived in Ecuador a few days ago. His plan was to hike a bit and turn back. Little did he know the power of group encouragement!
We continued and passed a group on the way down from the summit. They gave us an estimate of how much we had left to go, because by now we had decided that we would make it to the top. A steep sandy patch and then some rocky clambering welcomed us to the top along with fog settling in. Jordy was tempted to turn back after the sandy incline (as well as before it, we had already said goodbye to him), but faced with the prospect of descending alone or continuing with us, he gave in. At the top (at 4,696 meters) we ate pizza and tostada before heading back down.
We had just begun to wonder where the path down through the rocks went when it began to hail...hard. Suddenly the slopes were white and hailstones were running their merry way down the mountain. Rocks became slippery and hidden, and after pushing aside some panic, we continued slowly downward as our fingers lost all feeling. It was difficult to know whether you really were holding onto a rock or not. A group below us had turned back just short of the top when the hail hit, so we gladly followed their tracks, almost skiing through sandy mounds of hail as the sky thundered around us. We began to weave our way down the mountain with the group.
The same path we had come up the side of the mountain was now snow-covered and more slippery. The fog began to lift more and we suddenly saw the Quito valley below us, sunny and untouched by our weather dilemmas. After we left the rocky zone and entered the short bushes, our adrenaline levels returned to normal and elation set in. We ran down the inclines and sloshed our way in the mud. The sky cleared as we lowered the bottom, and Ruco stood above us, unperturbed by the elements that made our way so hazardous. The crater of Guagua Pichincha also peaked out over the mass of Padre Encantado (Enchanted Father), in full snowy regalia.
At the Teleférico café the sun, a heater, and some nice hot chocolate warmed our bones. We laughed at our experiences and felt cold toes as we rode the cable car back down to the sunny city. It turns out we have more sisu in us than we thought! Note to self: next time take gloves!
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