Northern Ecuador

July 11, 2024

Cotopaxi National Park. A wild and barren area featuring the second highest volcano in Ecuador (5980 masl). But where is it? Thick clouds only allowed us to see its shoulders coming out from underneath. Wow. This thing must be massive. We wanted to climb it as a rematch for Chimborazo. But after looking at the snowy weather forecast, we happily passed. Luckily, we got a beautiful late afternoon view of the iconic volcano as the clouds briefly vanished. Good enough. We'll come back for it. One day.

Next up, Quito. Ecuador's capital. Woh. Busy. One day rest and go. Off to cross the equator. Another highlight. We missed the landmark. But we took a moment for it anyway, applauding ourselves on a job well done, covering the longest continuous longitudal distance on land in the Southern Hemisphere (and then some). Back to our half. For the first time since our departure. Now more than one year ago!

We celebrated with a visit to Mieke, a friend from the Netherlands living just north of Quito together with her Ecuadorian family. She enlightened us about the traditional and spiritual ways of the indigenous people, showing us likewise the wonderful home and retreat she has built over the years. Part two of our celebration consisted of an accidental big feast, which we enjoyed in a surprisingly vibrant local road restaurant somewhere on our last climb in Ecuador. And, a police escort through a sketchy neighborhood we found ourselves in after a wrong turn. A new first. And that after one year on the continent.

The last climb brought us to the final section of our Ecuador traverse. A bumpy and very muddy road, passing large fields of exotic plants called frailejones; an endangered plant species living only in a few high altitude regions in South America. A unique passage in our trip. What beauty.

Now for the last leg. Colombia. We're in!

Route: Lasso - Cotopaxi NP - Quito Tambuco - Otavalo - El Ángel (EC) - San Juan (COL)