Cayambe – Antisana Skills Expedition November 20 - 29, 2015 – Dispatch 1

Cayambe – Antisana Skills Expedition

Lead Guides: Jeremy Devine and Romel Sandoval

Climbers: Catherine H., Graham K., Richard L., Melissa L., Hernando M., Jason M., Thomas W., Hallie Z., Andrew Z.

Received on November 23, 2015

"Over the past two days we went to the Otovalo market, and hiked Cerro Pasochoa (13,776 ft / 4199 m) to acclimatize. On November 21, on our way to the Otovalo market we saw many people walking on pilgrimage celebrating the feast day of the Lady of Quinche (Nuestra Señora de la Quinche). The Lady of Quinche is revered for providing protection against encounters with the Andean bears.

Everyone is doing great, we just came down from our acclimatization hike on Gua Gua Pinchincha (15,696 ft / 4784 m). There was some rain on the way down but we were able to see Antisana (18,827 ft / 5740 m). We are headed to the Hacienda Guachala for the night. Tomorrow we are headed to Cayambe (1896 ft / 5790 m) and expect to have better weather."

Jeremy Devine