One down...

---

(I´m actually in Machachi, about an hour and a half south of Quito at the moment, but that wasn´t on the list).

Got back a few hours ago from a successful summit of Iliniza Norte, a new high at 5126 m 16817 ft.
No probs, which bodes well for Cotopaxi on Sunday morning.

The hut had a gas heater and stoves (and about 12 people) so it wasn´t too cold at night. The windows didn´t open, though, so there was moss growing inside from all the moisture. Slept on and off from about 8:30pm to 5:20 for breakfast. A combination of altitude, cold (temperature and illness) and dodgy mattress and bed combined to make sleep difficult. Maybe Cotopaxi will be more comfortable (he thinks naively).

So no it´s rest time. And tomorrow we also have off. Time to catch up on the Spanish homework and try to learn to play the flute -- pipe I bought in Otovalo. The hostel is at 3500m so we continue to acclimatize.

Well, I will leave it there for now. Photos to come once I arrive back in Quito.

Pollo o Res,

Tim x

---