We went to Ecuador to visit my daughter Frances. In Quito we stayed with
Ecuadorian friends who introduced us to culinary delights such as calf's
foot soup (good for hangovers), cow's udder (like eating Pirelli tyre
rubber) and guinea pig (like roast chicken on a spit). We planned to
climb volcanos, acclimatising slowly, starting from Loma Lumbisi at 3039
m and building up to Chimborazo at 6,268 m. Although not technically
difficult, they weren't easy. There was rock scrambling on Carihaurazo
and one had to take care not to trip on the steep snow. Between climbs
we relaxed and recovered in the hot thermal springs and rejuventing calm
of the spa town of Baños and the jungle pools of Papallacta. The account
describes our struggles to cope with altitude sickness and to find
foothold on the loose ash slopes. It describes our relations with my
german friend Hans from Venezuela, whose slow, measured pace Steve found
frustrating but whose rhythm suited Scharlie.