Jul 18, 2018
Ecuador Day 5: Cotopaxi
Our next day trip from Quito promised to be a cold, windy, snowy challenge. Today we would climb to the refuge house on the Cotopaxi Volcano, the second highest peak in Ecuador.
Victor picked us up in the van and we drove to the parking lot where we would stage our hike up the very, very steep ascent to the refuge at 15,953 feet. The trail was made up of very loose rock and ash and it was a real challenge to get a foothold. It seemed like every step I took up I slid two steps down. The wind nearly blew me right over several times, and the rain was soaking my pants.
John and I trained for this hike by doing some very steep trails near our home, but we live at 1400 feet and there was no way to replicate the elevation! So breathing on Cotopaxi was a real challenge. My trick is when I get out of breath I stop and sing happy birthday then start going again. It worked! I also took Diamox so that I would not get a headache or belly ache. Again, worked great!
Our team made it to the refuge, where several stopped for some hot tea and rest! Others headed back to the trail, where we topped out at about 16,611 where the snow started in earnest and we watched the water melting away from the glacier in a muddy rush. It was a wonderful challenge and getaway!
For lunch we stopped at El Rondador. It was a really sweet family place where we were greeted by an enthusiastic pack of friendly and affectionate and fluffy dogs. They were clearly well loved and cared for, and they had a line of dog beds on the side of one of the outbuildings. We managed to get a lot of snuggles in before eating a delicious meal that included (as so many Ecuadorian meals do) delicious fresh juice, steaming hot potato soup, and then a rice and meat entree.
We had a long ride home to Quito, where the Team split for dinner since some folks were more tired. John and I went to Mucura Cocina and enjoyed trying some local dishes.
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- John had his coffee with Princesa on the patio.
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- A scenic look out over Quito.
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- Team Ecuador!
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- Getting cozy in Victor’s Van.
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- Our first glimpse of Cotopaxi.
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- Cotopaxi is the second highest mountain in Ecuador (5,897 m / 19,347 ft.).
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- The clouds split for just a moment.
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- The trailhead is cold and windy.
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- John bundled up for the hike to the glacier.
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- Could and windy and snowy.
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- Heading up to the refuge.
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- The Album Cover.
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- It was a slow trudge at altitude.
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- The refugio Jose F. Rivas is located at 4,800 meters (15,744 ft.). It is about a 45 minute-hike from the parking area.
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- We climbed 1000 feet over one mile.
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- Then it was up to the tip of the glacier!
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- John and Trish at the glacier.
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- Team Glacier!
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- We saw our English friend Leena on the hike!
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- Cotopaxi from the museum.
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- Overlooking the canyon.
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- Great job team!
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- Jumpers. Kind of. 🙂
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- Back at Rondador we made so many furry friends.
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- We were in dog heaven.
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- This was the cutest pack!
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- Delicious juice.
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- Traditional potato soup.
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- Pollo con champignons!
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- Llook it’s a Llama!
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- John and I went to dinner at Mucura.
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- Fresh bread and unique dips.
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- We had a delicious quinoa salad.
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- Keeping herbs fresh at the bar.
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- I loved this decoration–colorful yarn.
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