This post features student writing by by Jake, Sophie and Claire
Hola desde Ecuador!
The next day was the most tiring but worthwhile day of our entire trip: hiking Cotopaxi. We woke up for an earlier breakfast at 7, and all of us layered up with all the warm clothes we had. We boarded the bus to get to the base of Cotopaxi, which was at around 15,000 feet high. The moment we got off the bus, the cold wind chilled us to our bones, and slashed at our faces. Within 5 minutes, all of us were grateful we had prepared so well with our layers. Unexpectedly, neither the wind nor the hail stopped on the way up to the refugio. The hike was completely uphill, the sand and the rocks wearing down our hiking boots, and for every two steps we took, we slid down one. The terrain was rough, but beautiful. Almost extraterrestrial in its scenery, the volcano was covered with red dirt that gave it the appearance of Mars. The wind, although harsh, ended up being a relief as the group struggled with the difficult hike. Despite the cold temperatures, we ended up sweating by the end. Breathing hard in the high altitude and low oxygen, the group persevered through the hour long hike up to El Refugio, a cozy rest stop covered by foreign flags and filled with fellow travelers. After a long stop for hot chocolate, some of the group continued on, to see the lowest glacier of Cotopaxi. Although it was more work, it was worth it. Seeing the red mud of the volcano contrasting with the snow capped glaciers gave the volcano a new depth, and our guide explained the ecological importance of our hike. These glaciers are slowly receding due to global warming, and our group was lucky to be able to see it in time. After taking some pictures, where we looked like we were on top of the world, the group went back down to El Refugio. In a moment of patriotism, the group signed the tiny American flag posted up on the walls of the rest stop, In this moment, we, our humble little Putney group, joined hundreds of other American adventurers who similarly conquered Cotapaxi.
