Cotopaxi

Got conquered by the mountain, but not defeated!

Volcanology class went to Cotopaxi yesterday to see Ecuador’s tallest volcano and learn about rock-things. Ecuadorians also like to claim that it is the tallest volcano on earth, since technically, from the center of the earth to the top of Cotopaxi, it’s the farthest distance (the earth is not actually a perfect sphere, but a weird oval-ish shape instead). However, this is just wrong as we all know that Hawaii in fact has the highest volcano with Mauna Loa. They like to pretend though. I´ll let them dream.

We arrived at Cotopaxi after several hours of bus (which once again left at 630 am on a Saturday, yay), watching the mountain grow larger and clearer all the way from Quito (I can see this mountain on my morning busride). Someone got left in the bathroom at one of our stops, so we got delayed, and thus Theo was pissed at us, but whatever, I thought it was pretty entertaining. When we finally got to the base the mountain was even more impressive, as we stood looking up at this huge, snow-capped volcano.

We took some time and got some lessons about the area. Theo, being crazy, made all 107 of us run down this ridiculously steep hill that was basically the consistency of really loose and deep sand. I was glad I had my botas de gaucho [rubber boots] because it prevented any rocks from getting in my socks. We saw some cool rock stuff, then, of course, had to get back up the hill. Again, crazy man. Imagine running in sand. Now imagine running in sand up a super steep hill. NOW imagine running up a super steep hill made of sand, 14,000 ft up with altitude slamming you with every breath. Yeah, crazy.

In any case, once back at the parking lot, we had 90 minutes to climb the mountain on our own to go see the glacier if we wanted. I really wanted to get up there, so we started trekking upwards. If I thought the first part about the sand hill was hard, this was even harder. The higher we got, the harder it became. The altitude really started to get to me and me and the other girls I was with had to stop frequently. We're not in the tip-toppest of shape, but we're all pretty active, but that hike just destroyed us. There were several points where I had to just stop because I was so dizzy and light-headed I was afraid if I kept going I'd pass out. I've never really had a problem with altitude before, but this time it definitely got me. The girls and I commented that it felt like we'd been drinking, but we were all completely sober. Unfortunately, due to the altitude, we didn't get all the way up to the glacier, though we did make it to our goal: the snow line. Silly Michigan girls getting excited about Ecuadorian snow. :)

We came back down and made some more stops learning about rocks on our way south towards Baños. However, I think the altitude and strenuous hike really got to me because I felt pretty sick the rest of the afternoon. I decided that instead of going all the way to Banos with the rest of the class I'd come back to Quito with some friends that night instead. Three traveling weekends plus mountain climbing has taken a toll on my body and I felt like I needed the rest.

We took a 2.5 hr bus back to Quito ($1.50 oh yes) then ended up in a terminal waaaay far south in the city. It took some figuring out and impulsive decisions but we finally made it back to Tova's house (another K student) by about 8ish. It was a bit nervous but kind of exciting to sort of know where you're going but just going ahead anyways. Was exhausted when I finally got home, but it was definitely an awesome experience. Just you wait, Cotopaxi... I may be back for round two!