Sunday, October 25, 2009

Hiking Volcan Ilalo and Parque Metropolitana










With Maria and kids in Pasto it was time for big kid fun. Saturday along with a couple of teachers, Sinead and Roy, we made it up the extinct volcano of Ilalo...900m vertical in 2:20. From 2300 to 3200m. Super views of Antisana, Cayambe, Imbaburra, Cotacachi, Pichincha, Atacoa? Corazon, Ilinizas, Pasachoa, Ruminhui, Cotopaxi, Sangolqui? ...Oh so many volconoes to choose from...and right out my back door!
Today we taxied up to the teleferico (gondola) to climb Rucu (Pichincha) above Quito, but it was closed for maintenence. No mention of that on the recording that gave the operation hours!!! grrrr. Since the gondola was expected to open at 9, it was to late to get to another volcano and we opted to hike in the a city park. Great running trails and views down to the valley...turned out to be a great plan B. Got lost on the way out and a lady invited us into her house....made for little Ecuadorians....with Ewan and Sinead nearly banging their heads into the light bulb. After lunch in the "Bohemian" district of Guapulo, we remembered it was Sunday and headed of to the church below and to pay our repects to some Spanish dude in a dress who discovered the Amazon.
That's Cotopaxi in the background of the 1st 2 shots.

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