The Paramo..
A little stop at the museum in Cotopaxi National Park before heading up. In case anyone ever wondered how big a Condor is. It´s bigger then you are.
Taking a quick look from the bottom to see what we are in for...
There she is. Cotopaxi. Ms. Cotopaxi if your nasty. 5897 meters above sea level.
Starting the climb. It looked so pretty and peaceful from the bottom. Now it is freezing and I am getting whipped in the face with pieces of ice from the Glacier. 
Ok. So, right about now, at 4600 meters is when I started to realize, WOW, there is something to this whole altitude sickness thing. 
And right about now, I am wheezing. I literally would have to stop and rest every 15 steps. My muscles were really weak and the air so thin it was really hard to breath! Although in my defense, I was doing better than the other people in this picture from my group. The lady in the red didn´t make it to the glacier...
Taking a little break. You will notice here why I was freezing. Silly Sarah, packing light does not mean don´t bring a jacket. It means, don´t bring 4 pairs of shoes...
4800 meters. Taking a break for lunch at the Hikers Refuge.
Getting closer...you can start to make out the red volcanic dirt.
The last eruption was in 1904. See behind me where all the lava ran down?
Maybe I would compare it to being on Mars. I mean I´ve never been to Mars, but I´m guessing Mars is sporting some red, lava-like dirt.
Big, volcano rocks!
Hallelujah. We are almost to the glacier!
We made it! So hard to get up, but one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen in my life. 
5000 meters. WOOT!
See for yourself...we were literally in the clouds!
And just when I was quite exhausted enough. It was time to mountain bike down! Which was quite the adrenaline-fueled ride! I was squeezing the brakes SO HARD the whole way! This is at the bottom...in one piece.
Stopping at Laguna Limpioponga during the end of the bike ride.
And as if there hadn´t been enough beautiful views during the day...a rainbow to finish it off.
A little stop at the museum in Cotopaxi National Park before heading up. In case anyone ever wondered how big a Condor is. It´s bigger then you are.Taking a quick look from the bottom to see what we are in for...There she is. Cotopaxi. Ms. Cotopaxi if your nasty. 5897 meters above sea level.Starting the climb. It looked so pretty and peaceful from the bottom. Now it is freezing and I am getting whipped in the face with pieces of ice from the Glacier. Ok. So, right about now, at 4600 meters is when I started to realize, WOW, there is something to this whole altitude sickness thing. And right about now, I am wheezing. I literally would have to stop and rest every 15 steps. My muscles were really weak and the air so thin it was really hard to breath! Although in my defense, I was doing better than the other people in this picture from my group. The lady in the red didn´t make it to the glacier...Taking a little break. You will notice here why I was freezing. Silly Sarah, packing light does not mean don´t bring a jacket. It means, don´t bring 4 pairs of shoes...4800 meters. Taking a break for lunch at the Hikers Refuge.Getting closer...you can start to make out the red volcanic dirt.The last eruption was in 1904. See behind me where all the lava ran down?Maybe I would compare it to being on Mars. I mean I´ve never been to Mars, but I´m guessing Mars is sporting some red, lava-like dirt.
Big, volcano rocks!Hallelujah. We are almost to the glacier!
We made it! So hard to get up, but one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen in my life. 5000 meters. WOOT! See for yourself...we were literally in the clouds!And just when I was quite exhausted enough. It was time to mountain bike down! Which was quite the adrenaline-fueled ride! I was squeezing the brakes SO HARD the whole way! This is at the bottom...in one piece.
Stopping at Laguna Limpioponga during the end of the bike ride.
And as if there hadn´t been enough beautiful views during the day...a rainbow to finish it off.
5 comments:
Another cool sub trip in your adventure Sarah. I must admit I really wish I could have climbed up the Volcano with you, just to see who would've made it up 1st( you would've I got tired just looking at the pictures). oh and atleast now you now the meaning of pack lite.
Senora Sarah:
Magnifique!!!
Hope you will wade in Titicaca, too!! Titicaca is not a bad word!
At over 12,000 feet high and 3200 square miles area, it is the largest lake in South America. It is also the highest large lake in the world. Between Arequipa and La Paz.
Bon Voyage, j
Hi Sarah,
Maybe I'll be able to post a comment today! I'm so glad you are still able to ride horses...and remember all the hikes in the beautiful Catskills...they were just preparation for bigger and better things I guess!
:) Mom
Hey Sarah,
very cool. post a pic of a map if you have any city/park ones you get along the way. outstanding views.
Uncle Jim
ps. Kerry is an avid fan of your blog
Evie and I are looking at your blog. You are really having an adventure! The great photos and the descriptions of the places I visited in the 80s bring back so many memories.
FYI - Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world.
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