Unprepared...

I left the hotel with a banana and the intention to visit the Historic Centre. But as I rode with Roberto, my cab driver, upon seeing the clear skies I suddenly changed my mind. I asked Roberto to take me to the Teleferico instead to go up Rucu Pichincha, the mountain right here in Quito. Roberto dropped me off around 8 a.m., kindly offering me a mango as a parting gift. I was at the right place but two hours early, so I lay down and enjoyed the sun’s warmth and the stillness around me.

When the Teleferico opened, I went up to 3,947 meters armed only with my banana and mango, no jacket, walking shoes, water, or food. Hiking wasn’t the plan, but I started anyway. I met fellow hikers — two girls from the UK, a Dutch couple, a German-Argentinian couple, and a Texan. Together, we motivated each other up steep paths and loose sand until I reached around 4,650 meters — just 50 meters shy of the summit (4696). The altitude is challenging, and I feel dizzy; the last bit requires climbing and in my current state, I am not ready for it. So I sit here, enjo the view, and rest until I feel ready for the decent. Then me and my Mango (i ate the Banana) will slowly hike back to the Teleferico hoping to find some water there...Lue lisää