Week 1: From Rock to Hot

A quick catch up on what has happened so far...

Leaving the sanctuary of the Secret Garden Hostel we headed north out of Quito. The wrong way you might think... but we're tourists as well as climbers and there is a great big equator monument to be bagged. Photos snapped, we about-turned and headed for Cuyuja, a nearby sport crag. Ernie squeezed through narrow streets with wheels rubbing the kerb left and right, then panted her way up through the mountains.

Cuyuja
On arrival in the small village, first priority was procuring a couple of crates of beer. We cleared out one shop and moved on to a second.

First bushcamp at Cuyuja

The climbing was on 50m of overhanging flowstone of some kind. Routes didn't normally reach the top, but that was just as well cos they were generally quite hard. At least they were dry in the rain and the falling drops helped to keep you cool!

Cuyuja Crag

The second day was leader Tom´s Birthday, so naturally a truck party was initiated... but not before he had got together with driver Chris to catch (pay for) and butcher a chicken for dinner.

Driver Chris, with Henry Dinner

 Tom, the Birthday boy and trip leader

Misahualli

Heading east for a taste of the jungle, the temperature rose steadily as we dropped. When we arrived at "Banana Lodge" we just about managed to get our tents up before having to dive in the river (free from crocodiles we were assured).

Keeping cool in the jungle heat

The next 2 days were spent chilling out with some natives,  bobbing down the river on inner tubes and taking a guided jungle trek. Plenty of bouncing around in the back of pickup trucks... and lots more swimming.

Shooting blowpipes with local tribesmen of Misahualli