An Outing to Test Our Lungs and Legs

Yesterday, we had a fun hike up Cerro Ilaló, a small mountain on which we wanted to test our lungs and our legs. ("Cerro" means "hill," but the Ecuadorians have a different conception of mountains and hills than we have back home.) Here we are getting started at about 8,200 feet above sea level.














Here we are catching our breath.















Here we are continuing on our way. The water has helped carve the well used path through the volcanic dirt. The dry season is just ending and signs of fire are everywhere.















Natalie and I turned back before reaching the top, but Jens and Caleb kept going. Here is Caleb almost at the cross at the summit.














Here is Jens at the top at about 9,800 feet above sea level.















On the way back down, we ran into a group of tired Boy Scouts who were also descending. We were a bit tired too, but it was a great outing, and our lungs and legs are ready for a bigger challenge next weekend or soon thereafter.

-Spee