Out of Office: Summiting Pasochoa in Ecuador
I grew up in Barrhead, Alberta. Outside of the renowned Blue Heron statue - the largest of its kind in the world - we're not known for much. Living in Alberta did however give me access to the Rocky Mountains, one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. Over the past 20 years I've done some of the most renowned hikes in the area; Ha Ling Peak, the Valley of the Ten Peaks, Johnston Canyon, Sentinel Pass... the list goes on. What I'd never done was hike a new mountain range. So, I booked some flights, packed my bags, and shipped off to Quito, Ecuador with my partner.
Cotopaxi
Many people will recognize the name because the volcano, located in the Andes Mountains about 50 km south of Quito, is also the namesake of a popular, colorful outdoor gear brand. When you take a look at the view, it's not hard to imagine why. Also one of the highest active volcanos in the world, Cotopaxi is unlike anything I've ever seen. What it reminded me of most was the Lonely Mountain from Lord of the Rings; in the midst of this miraculous mountain range, one sat to the side, on its own, the largest and most daunting of them all. The fact that I was staying in a Hobbit Hole at The Secret Garden Cotopaxi probably didn't help to limit my imagination. I'd love to tell you I built up the nerve to carry a pair of ice picks up the volcano and make my way to the summit, but instead, I chose the mountain directly opposite.
Rain, Rain, and More Rain
I hiked Pasochoa in March, or as it's known to the locals, rainy season. After 30 minutes of exploring the grounds, I had already soaked through most of my clothes. The next day, while we were preparing for the guided hike, we were told to put on rubber boots.
Now I'd like to say that I'm a pretty experienced hiker, but I had never summited a mountain with a pair of Wellies. Nevertheless, I put on my beautiful borrowed boots, and off we went.
The trail was muddy all the way to the top, and the clouds made it so we were never fully aware of our surroundings... but the Andes were unlike anything I had experienced before. The hike through the forest, seeing llamas along the way, and then thousands of meters without any vegetation besides tall grasses. It was a stark contrast to the alpine I was used to, with wide rivers and flowers. This was a completely different kind of beauty.
The last 100 meters of our climb was the trickiest. At an altitude over 4,000 meters, it became more difficult to breath as our hike turned into more of a climb. My feet may have been dry, but the rubber boots made it harder to get a grip on the face of the rock, and it took some time to make sure each footstep was on solid ground.
Eventually we summitted, and the site in front of us was something to behold. In the distance through the clouds stood Cotopaxi, as unique and beautiful as any mountain I had seen before. Off to the side you could see mountains stretching out as far as the eyes could see. In that moment, I felt so lucky to be able to experience it.
The way down was an adventure. The hike's incline wasn't the steepest, but the mud made it hard to catch a grip. More than a few of the hikers ended up falling on their backsides and sliding down the path. When we made it to the trailhead, all of us were tired, soaked, and filthy. But what better place to wash off then a shower with a view of a volcano?
Is it Damn Good?
At Roam, we don't test our natural deodorant in pristine, sterile laboratories; we test them on the side of volcanos. After hours of hiking, high-altitude sweat, and fluctuating temperatures from the humid forest floor to the freezing summit, our baking soda and aluminum-free formula didn't cause a single rash or stain, and my gear, while wet and muddy, didn't smell at all.
Pasochoa was an amazing experience, and seeing the Andes up close was a dream come true. From the hiking to the food & accommodation, I couldn't have asked for a better vacation.
Rating: DAMN GOOD