Ecuador Volcanoes 25th July 2009

Team Leader: Joe Brown

Team: Michelle Howarth, Paul Blake, Peter Russell, Niall McDermott, Linda Meyer

6th and 7th August – ‘Thursday was an easy day.  We walked off Cotapaxi and drove to Latacunga and spent the night in a hotel. The next day we visited Quilotoa Lagoon on an Indian reserve. We descended 350m down to the lakeside and everyone except Robinson and I rode a donkey out. Back in Latacunga it was an emotional farwell to Paul who was doing the extension tour. In Quito we had a last dinner together and said our goodbyes to Peter, Niall and Michelle. I was the next to leave at 11:00 on Saturday and hopefully Linda got away on Sunday okay.

Despite the successes and failures the team really enjoyed their experience on the trip and I´m sure that it will take quite a while for them to realise what they have achieved. To me the most important thing was they bonded together as a single unit and did the best they could to support each other. As the memories of early starts and fatigue fade into distant memory they will start to think ‘what next?’ and no doubt we will see them again on new future challenges.   Joe

5th August – ‘ Moved to Cotapaxi National Park and got to refuge about 14:30. There had been no ascents of the the mountain since Saturday. The weather, although bad, had been predictable – clearing about 16.00 then bad for midnight. Robinson and I decided that the best chance was to leave about 17.00 getting to the summit for about 23:00 and being well down the mountain before storm hit again. The team agreed, however both Paul and Michelle decided to sit it out. We made good progress to the ice where we roped up, Raphael had been drafted in again and we were three teams of two.

Once on the ice again we made steady progress and as it got dark a full moon rose and you didn´t need a light, perfect! At about 20:00 the weather started to change early and the wind picked up.  It turned cold and flying ice crystals reduced the visibility. By 21:00 Linda and I started to lose ground on the others who were waiting for us higher on the hill, to give them the best chance of success we decided to turn around. Niall and Peter got to the summit about 22:00 with Robinson and Raphael but only stopped there long enough to take photos.  There was lightning in the east and the wind was hammering them;  they needed to get down. We all took a bit of a battering with the wind on the descent but shortly after midnight we were all safely back at the hut. About 50 people set off from the hut about 12:45 and no one else made the summit.

An excellent achievement for the lads who were too tired to realize what they had achieved!’ Joe

4th August – ‘ An early start was the order of the day for an attempt of Ilinzes North summit. Michelle and Peter decided to opt out and save their energies for Cotapaxi and went horse riding and mountain biking as an alternative.

It was 04.00 call and we were in the car park ready to start the climb at 06:45. It was dark, cold and cloudy not the best start to the day. As daylight came we made steady progress but it got colder and colder and rime ice was on everything which made for some spectacular formations. At times the clouds parted and gave breathtaking glimpses of both peaks and a good motivation to continue. We reached the refuge where the night´s occupants had already left for their ascent. At this point Paul decided to opt out and wait for us to return to the refuge. We continued over steep scree and ash to reach the start of the scrambling. Everything on the south side was ice but our route tended to avoid it until the last 25m to the summit. The air temperature was -5c but the wind made it feel worse, however, the cloud did clear for a couple of minutes and gave wonderful views for 360 degrees before the clag set in again.

The descent was swift and we soon joined Paul to finish the walk back to the awaiting truck.’ Joe

29th July – ‘The team visited the Museo Solar Int I Nan- the GPS approved centre of the Earth which was fascinating and enjoyed by all. The equator has Kryptonite affects on humans and tests of strength proved the point.  The Guide couldn´t break my grip of forefinger and thumb away from the equator but very easily on it. Other tests followed which proved the point. It´s also easier to balance an egg on the equator and Niall’s and myself have the certifcate to prove it. There were many other interesting facts to learn but for me the best was a solar chronometer which is accurate to within ten minutes. The visit to the official ¨La Mitad Del Mundo´proved to be very poor in comparison.

The accommodation at Cuicocha Lake is stunning, sitting on the rim of an extinct volcano with the lake sitting below. Our first walk took us around the rim which was full of variety from start to finish and gave excellent views of the next three days objectives. We reached a maximum altitude of 3379m according to my watch and just right for a first walk. The team are looking forward to the next peaks and are consolidating as a true team by looking out for each other and enjoying each others company.’        Joe

27th July – ‘All of the team have arrived safely and have enjoyed their first group meal! A local restaurant was recommend by the hotel manager and we jumped into two taxis. However, there appears to be two restaurants with the same name and we ate as two groups of three!! Everyone enjoyed their meal, and my group enjoyed a rendition of Él Condor Pasa live at the table, as we tucked into our pudding.

Tomorrow we are off to ´La Mitad del Mundo´the disputed ´Centre of the Earth´, then onto Cuicocha Lake where our true adventures start.’

Cheers

Joe

21st June – The team will fly out to Ecuador on the 25th July.