A Trip to El Altar

Saturday, February 24, 2001 [Sunday] [Monday]
     I was up at 8 AM to finish packing for the trip to Altar. I packed a lunch, and then put everything in the backpack. I met everyone else at the Jungle High parking lot at 9:30 AM, and by 10:30 we were driving out of town. Four of the Jungle High boys went, two dads, and friend who is visiting from the States, two Alliance Academy students and two parents, the Jungle High teacher, and me. We drove in a van and a king cab pickup.
     I was made the 'leader' of the group. If there were any decisions to be made one we were on the trail, I would make the final decision. Maybe this was because I had more high altitude experience than others. Maybe it was because I was the most 'neutral' person in the group. It was a title I reluctantly accepted.
     We stopped in Baños for a few minutes at noon to pick up bread. We then drove on roads I hadn't been on before to reach our destination. For quite a while we drove on a road that had been covered in many spots by mud flows from the volcano Tungarahua. The volcano erupted in October 1999. The van rode low, so in many spots where there were deep dips, the passengers climbed out to preserve the rear bumper and tailpipe.
     After asking directions several times, traveling through the towns of Penipe and Candelaria, and climbing up to 10,000 feet, we arrived at the hostel at where we would spend the night. It was 2:45 PM.
     After putting our things in the rooms, most of us went on a short hike up the steep hillside. The hills were like a patchwork quilt; some patches were full of cows, other patches contained fields of corn. The clouds hung low, hiding the tops of the 11,000 foot hills.
     We arrived back for a dinner of chicken, rice, and potatoes. Some of the boys were already complaining about the cold, and wore jackets, hats, and gloves to the table. I had a slight headache, so I downed a couple aspirin.
     After dinner we sat around a poor excuse for a fireplace and talked. By 9:30 most of us were in bed. Despite having a pillow which would have made a fine brick, I was able to get a good night rest.

Saturday, February 24, 2001 [Sunday] [Monday]