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HIKING AT 4,500
METRES HIGH
I found that the summit of Guagua
Pichincha was a ridge of lava about one hundred and fifty
paces long, mainly firm rock, though strewn with loose,
decomposing blocks, amongst which there were a number of
lumps of pumice, up to a foot or rather more in diameter.
Edward Whimper, 1892.
The Pichinchas are two volcanoes known
as Guagua and Rucu located some 10 km due west of Quito
and easily visible from the capital. This is a good trek
to do in order to be in good shape before trying some of
the higher mountains.
Suggested itinerary:
| Day
1. |
Departure
from Quito early in the morning. After passing a
little village placed in a beautiful valley, both
of which are called Lloa, we will drive up a dirt
road until we reach a place called "La
Ensillada". From this point we will hike
until we reach the Defensa Civil
Refuge (4,600 m - 15,093 ft). Here
we will have lunch and later try for the Guagua's
summit (4,874 m, 12,380 ft), two hours round
trip. Dinner will be served, and a brief
explanation about what we will do the next day
will be given by our guides. |
| Day
2. |
After
an early breakfast we will leave the refuge.
First, we will follow an old trail which will
lead us to "Padre Encantado", from
which point we will hike up to the Rucu's summit
(4,787 m, 12,159 ft). From the Rucu we will go
down hill to a place called Cruz Loma the
where our car will be waiting to take us down to
Quito. |
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Trekking in Ecuador: Pichinchas