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Volcanoes, volcanoes and more volcanoes.. as its on the equator, Ecuador has many of these natural wonders a few of which are active and one is on an alert warning- its errupting!
We left Cuenca and headed to Riobamba to see and climb (to the 2nd refugio) the highest one (and the 2nd highest peak in SA), Chimborazo (6310m). It was huge and just like a volcano from my imagination. We climbed upto the second refugio and it was an easy gradiant, but diffucult because of the altitude again! It was completely bare of any life up there.. but was amazing!
That night we went off into the mountains to see Tungurahua errupt closely. It has been errupting for 2 weeks and we saw the black smoke of the erruption in the day but wanted to see it errupt in the night, it was supposed to be amazing! So we headed up in a 4X4, and got really close.. we bumped into a campesino family that jumped in the back of the truck and showed us a better place to see it.. we got there and waited.. and waited... and waited somemore. We could hear very load rumblings, and
were dying of anticipation.. but after 6 hours in the freezing cold.. there was nothing!! So we headed back to Riobamba a bit dissapointed, but still had a great night with the family! Heard news the next day that it didnt errupt until 3am!so glad we didnt wait, especially as we had to get up at 6 to be on the Devils Nose train!
The train journey was really lovely, the views were amazing. We were on the roof of the train for 7 hours, started off freezing with woolly hats on.. then it soon got very warm! The campesinos waved at us as we passed through local towns and villages, it was really lovely.
The next volcano was Quilotoa, a crater filled with blue water, a lagoon! It was really stunning, we stayed one night with an Andean lady, who was more than slightly mad! Then went to the lagoon the next day, we went to the bottom and back up, it was a lovely walk. Although I definatly prefer doing the up bit first! We then went back on the scary bus ride (with shear drops!) to Latacunga. From here we went to another volcano.... Cotapaxi,
as the weather here is bad this time of year, and everyone we have spoken to has had to turn back.. we decided to climb to the refugio only, although I would love to get to the top.. look down and see hot lava bubbling! .. Will have to do it next time im here!
The weather was really really bad.. it was difficult to walk.. snow, hail and wind in our faces.. and when we got there we couldnt see that much really! But was worth it!
Congratulations to Fiona & Danny.. for bringing Ethan into the world.. look forward to meeting the little guy!
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michael lasky
non-member comment
tungurahua
thank you for your photos and article on ecudor. i lived the for many years in the 1980's including Banos, I pray that sthe mountain calms down and that there be no further deaths and destruction. I"ve lived for over 30 years in south America, and am currently preparing to return to mylittle house in the Yungas of Inquisivi province in Bolivia. If you liked Ecuador you;'ll love Bolivia! Megamalito@hotmail.com happy trails to you! michael lasky mohawk, ny