Riobamba again (Chimborazo volcano)

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An exciting day trip today, as can be seen on the photos. The two of us, along with a Swiss chap named Patrick, were driven by our guide William up to the lower of two refuges on Chimborazo volcano (4800m above sea level), a few miles northwest of Riobamba.

Although it is still called an active volcano it is estimated that the last eruption was about 10,000 years ago, so we risked it.

The idea was then to walk up to the second refuge at 5000m, but us lilly-livered Englanders only managed to get about half way to the refuge before calling it quits and descending again. We were both surprised at how quickly we got out of breath at that altitude, even though we knew of the effects beforehand. Just walking to the toilet had me gasping for air, and that wasn't because of the stench from the cubicle next to me. (Bridget would like to point out that she was not in the cubicle next to me.)

Our Swiss pal left us standing as he shot off up to the second refuge, then was actually jogging when he returned to the lower refuge. He later complained that he felt like he had been in a dream and he couldn't remember much of being at the second refuge! Just goes to show that our ploy of only doing half of it before sitting down for twenty minutes and scoffing some choccie biccies was the correct option to take. (Smug, aren't we?)

On the way back down the fun really began as we donned helmets and gloves and wobbled off down the volcano on mountain bikes. This was really good fun despite the road being loose gravel and 10,000 year old volcano-dust for a good proportion.
Hopefully you will already have a good old laugh at the pic of me falling off my bike (not so smug now). This picture wasn't taken by Bridget, it was taken by the guide. Bridget was too busy laughing to worry about taking pictures.

We got back in to Riobamba exhausted, so now we're off for some more lovely "lomo" for dinner, now we know what it is (thanks Andrew).

Miss you all lots,
Bridget and Jeremy.

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Photos

Chimborazo
We're at 4800m, the peak is 6,300m.

Comments

[Dad B.]

Lomo alternative.
Now you have discovered what Lomo is, steer clear of the Pilamensal. (Work it out!). Great Blogs!!