Today (Monday, Dec 21st, 2009) was the day I was going to quickly "jog" up Rucu Pichincha, the dormant volcano that is in Quito's backyard. After all it's a "simple" hike from ~4100 mts (~13500ft) to ~4700 mts (15510ft). I mean a "mere" 2000ft!!! How hard could THAT be???
At this point, a saner person would have pointed out to himself that 13500 ft is higher than the highest point in the continental US and the top of Half Dome at ~8500ft is 5000 feet below the base of Rucu Pichincha. But then, I am dumb ass who, as a Swede I know says, has a "lowered sense of self-preservation"
One can take the Teleferico, a very slow tram that takes you from Quito up the lower flank of Rucu Pichincha to a height of 4100 meters
Simple put, I got my ass kicked!! I did not make it all the way to the top, passing on the last 150 meter "rock scramble" that makes the Mt. Si haystack scramble look like walk in the park!
I started too late (noon!), took only a camel pack (2 liters) of water and was under dressed with only a light fleece jacket (and no gloves) and I HAD NO FOOD!
Had an headache that lasted 5 hours, thought that my heart was going to explode in a red mess right up there on the flank of this volcano.
Pictures of my ass whopping on Rucu Pichincha
Note to self: Bring netbook next time to work on pictures while on travels
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2 comments:
Hahaha.. sorry to enjoy your suffering, but along with your "lowered sense of self-preservation", looks like you also had a case of "elevated sense of your competency" :-D
Kishore, suck a lemon, preferably a very sour one!
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