Ilinizas attempt and furry Ecua-animals

He's no Arlo, but I love him just the same.

I was invited by Miss Kim Lewis (of Fulbright fame) to join a group of Peace Corps volunteers as they attempted to make their way to the top of Ilinizas Norte, a retired volcano to the south of Quito.  These Peace Corps folks have resolved to climb Cotopaxi sometime in the coming weeks or months, and they had settled on Ilinizas Norte as an appropriate "training hike."  It should be noted that his mountain was scouted (and sent) by Uncle Keith (of Skier Boyz International Division) in October 2010. 

  


Ilinizas Sur (left) and Norte (right) at dawn.



I miss them so.

 Organizing even a small trip with a large group is never simple and never without dischord.  To lessen the number of schedules and ideas that needed accommodating, I encouraged Kim to join me on a separate-but-equal journey with the same goals: victory and close encounters with local fauna.  She accepted and we made our way to the Hostal La Llovizna in El Chaupi.  Bladamir, the climbing guide and hostel owner that Keith had met and adored on his initial Ilinizas mission, met us with a smile, good wine, and disheartening news of exceptionally dangerous conditions at the summit.  The Peace Corps volunteers turned around about halfway to the climbing refuge and joined us at the hostel for beers and a game called Telepictionary.  The Brazilian kids (also enjoying the warmth of the hostel) didn't find it quite as entertaining as my North American comrades did. 

Cotopaxi in the early morning.

Cotopaxi, still looking smokin' hot.

The Brazilians and their local climbing guide started walking the next morning at 3:00 a.m. and never made it to the top.  The Peace Corps volunteers, discouraged by the rain, fog, and bad news from Bladamir, opted to head south in the morning.  After breakfast and coffee, Kim, our new Swiss friend, and I were rewarded with bluebird skies and views of every volcano in the country as we walked above the clouds and toward the sunshine.

Ilinizas Sur (left) and Norte (right).



Cotopaxi, once again.  It's fairly photogenic.

We made it to the climbing refuge and a little farther, but the top indeed looked unattainable due to the fresh snow, changing conditions, and limited number of PB & Js. 

This is the car that my new Swiss friend bought in Alaska last summer.  He drove it from Anchorage to Ecuador, delayed only slightly during the crossing between Panama and Columbia.  This was, to me, quite precious.