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June 21st 2010
Peruvian- Middle Earth Huaraz is considered by many to be the trekking capital of Peru. A little town deep in the Andes, surrounded by seemingly encroaching mountain peaks glistening white with glacial blankets, Huaraz is a perfect base for countless treks, climbs and other crazy adventures. We arrived here after a brief stint on the dry, desolate coast, excited for altitude, new colours, and challenge. I spent the first day climbing some of the local climbing routes - certainly a challenge for the old muscles after 8 months with no climbing! The next day we set off on a four day trek through the mountains - guideless... donkeyless... alone and unassisted. Between us we carried a tent, fat sleeping bags, enough food for four days, a near-dead lighter, and piles of woolly things bought at the ... read more
June 11th 2010
South American Wanderings We left Galapagos a month ago now, semester ended, visas expired and we were sent flying back to Quito where the Andean climate was crisp and cold and beautiful…such a change from the humid sea level of the islands. Sad to leave but the time was right to move as I suspected I´d feel. After leaving we spent a week at the home of one of my teachers about an hour out of Quito. A beautiful German woman called Judith with a big mud brick home, horses, chooks, children. We spent our time debriefing about uni, discussing conservation and planning and dreaming future research ideas. Riding horses in the golden light of the late afternoons, cooking delicious food. One day we climbed to the first refuge of Cotopaxi mountain, Ecuador's highest volcano…at ... read more
April 18th 2010
Holiday within a holiday... Mick and the Possums tour Isla Isabela Story and photos by Josie Eight days and nights in a hidden part of the world, only a day’s boat ride west from San Cristobal but seemingly a world apart from the paved streets, university pressures and day to day routines. The early morning boat from San Cristobal slips across the blue sea as the sun rises... past rocky Isla Santa Fe, covered in stark cactus trees, arriving at Puerto Ayora in Isla Santa Cruz around 9am. Santa Cruz is the most populated island in the archipelago and is not a place I’d like to spend a great deal of time - busy, artificial and filled with wealthy tourists. We stepped onto another boat after lunch, packed tightly into the overcrowded cabin with surfboards, tents ... read more
Pirates, Biologists, Tourists and Creationists Battle for Darwin’s Cradle of Evolution.
Published: February 17th 2010South America » Ecuador » Galápagos » San Cristóbal Island
February 16th 2010
Book Review Adapted from and quotes by Carol Ann Bassett, 2009, Galapagos at the crossroads, National Geographic Society The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes¨ - Marcel Proust 1000km off the west coast of South America, a lonely Albatross soars majestically just above the reach of the rolling swell. It’s been a long journey and although his wings never seem to tire it feels good to be home. Las Encantadas “the enchanted islands”. A meeting place for the life bringing cold, nutrient rich Humboldt current, driven perpetually north by the south east trade winds, and the opposing life depleting El Niño current which meanders south from the equator, bringing with it death and destruction. The albatross slowly banks and rises, seemingly effortlessly on the equatorial, warm thermal ... read more
January 28th 2010
Marquipucuna cloud forest is a small reserve about 4 hrs from Quito It was listed as a protected ares in 1995 It is a truly unique and diverse ecosystem Situated within pristine primary rainforest and nestled within a thick band of cloud. Hence the cloud forest. Like so many places in Ecuador it struggles to maintain diversity. Pressure from local agriculture and poaching threatens to destroy this beautiful ecosystem which is one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. The area was once used as a thoroughfare to bring booze into Quito from the surrounding towns. The trail is called the "Culuncos" it is so well worn from the hundreds of years in use it is 2-3m deep in places. Today it is still used to traffic drugs which is also a problem for ... read more
January 28th 2010
This is the result of an hour long hike (at night) in the beautiful Amazon rainforest. One of the most spell bounding places I have ever been. Enjoy... read more
January 17th 2010
4300m above sea level, deep in the Ecuadorian Andes exisits a magical place. Paluquilla is a mountain paremo like only a few on earth. A place where beauty abounds and wonders never cease to amaze. Enjoy.... read more
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