Touching the Void
We had our first hiking expedition this weekend with a 2 day trip into the Andes. The guide was bi-lingual, unfortunately, neither of his two languages appeared to be English so it was more extreme Spanish.
Day One – Cotopaxi Volcano Climb
I should have known we were in for trouble when I noticed that the enormous SUV that the guide picked us up in had an altimeter on the dashboard. My fears were confirmed when (after an hour of bum-numbing driving along roads that weren´t even worthy of the title “dirt track”) we arrived at the foot of the volcano and the altimeter was reading off the scale.
Ascending the volcano is easy. After putting on every item of clothing you´ve brought with you (it´s cold) you ascend by taking 5 steps up, 3 steps sliding back down the volcanic ash, get double vision, go all whoozy (as if you stood up too fast), gasp for air, rest for 2 minutes and repeat, all while the guide watches on giving words of encouragement. After a few million repititions we finally made it to “the refuge” at 4,800 meters. This is where the nutters who plan to make it to the summit spend the night and it was high enough for us. I was glad to see, however, that the guide (who had lost count of the number of times he´d been to the summit) was out of breath on the last stretch. Then again, he was carrying me.
Day Two – Quilota Crater Lake
We descended a steep path into a huge volcano crater which is now a lake (spectacular!). On the climb back out the guide refused to carry us this time so we decided to hire some local transport. Unfortunately, all the llamas were taken so we were left with a donkey and a mule. Dulcie insisted on having the mule (it looked a little stronger) so I was left with the donkey. It handled quite well despite the lack of a saddle, until we reached a steep bit and I nearly disappeared off the back end. It also had a nasty habit of backfiring – very unpleasant for Dulcie following behind me on the mule.
Here´s a picture Dulcie took of me clinging on while I try and overtake a herd of sheep.
Tags: Travel
rob.dulcie
Bet you’re glad you took the ‘hat of knowledge’ although it seems to be malfunctioning. Nice arse (the donkey).
D & H
Loved the comments about the donkey. Geoff remembers when he went to Pakistan and the donkey he was in charge of finished up with syrup down its flanks. No fun scaping it off when you are suffering from the altitude as well.
Seems a huge joke when you look back on it.
Keep the jokes coming! I’m thoroughly enjoying reading them!
We think all the back firing is due to the low air pressure, well that seemed to make Jeremy Clarkson let rip on TV!
If you have not seen that episode then perhaps you think I am going mad – really it did happen.
Also, should those sheep be worried?
J&B & The Girls
Looks exactly like the Brecon Beacons…….only with less sheep.
I’ve never felt further from home.
Two die hard fans pause for breath before continuing on the long path to the East 17 reunion gig at the top of Mount Etna. Disappointment awaits however, as the phone box at the summit is already full.
Wringing the poor donkey’s neck won’t make it go any faster Rob, just mention the word “salami” in its ear. That should do the trick.