North
of Quito lies
a rocky peak
heaven. Seemingly
touching the
sky are a series
of antennas
( "Las
Antenas").
On clear days
you can see
as far away
as 52km down
the central
Quito valley.
Climbing either
Cruz Loma or
the higher peak
Rucu
Pichincha
[4627m]
will take around
4-5 hours to
the summits.
After three
and a half centuries
of lying dormant,
Guagua
Pichincha
[4794m]
awoke from its
slumbers in
1999, showering
Quito with ash
for a few days.
Although it
is currently
safe to climb,
climbing into
the inner depths
of the crater
is not recommended.
Before climbing
check conditions
with either
the local El
Comercio
newspaper [front
page]
or the Geophysics
Institute of
Escuela Politecnica
Nacional
that features
daily reports
on their website
at www.epn.edu.ec.
To get to the
volcano summit
you can either
rent a jeep,
take a guided
jeep tour for
around US$50.00*
or take a bus
to Mena
[check
the local bus
station],
or to Lloa.
A
taxi
will cost around
US$12-15*.
It's
best to set
off at the crack
of dawn before
the sun makes
conditions too
uncomfortable.
Alternatively
you can take
the new cable
car Teleferico
to the
top of the first
part of the
mountain.
The Refuge [refugio]
has beds and
water for overnight
stays but no
cooking equipment,
heating or blankets
so come prepared.
It is run by
the Defensa
Civil and has
an on-site warden.
Waterproofs
and warm clothing
should be carried
as at this level
of altitude
temperatures
tend to drop,
especially at
night. The climb
from the refuge
to the summit
is only 20 minutes,
but it might
take longer
if you're not
used to the
altitude.
*Prices
are approximate
Last
updated 25th
July 2006
