Quito & Vicinity - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 92

ast. Numerous trails offer hikes from 30 minutes to eight hours in
length. One trail reaches the summit of Pasochoa and takes about six
hours to complete.

Although a few of the trails are not too
strenuous, you should spend at least a couple of
days acclimatizing before attempting them.
The high altitude and steep slopes can leave the
average coastal resident quite short-winded.

Maps are available at the administrative entrance. See pages 98-99
for directions to the reserve.

Pichincha Volcano

Just west of Quito is Volcán Pichincha, the site of the historic battle
that freed Ecuador from the clutches of Spain. It offers great views
and a relatively strenuous, though not technically difficult, climb.
Unfortunately, it has also been the site of attacks by thieves and
armed bandits, so do not go alone. Check for recent reports from a lo-
cal tour operator or the South American Explorers Club ( /fax 2-225-

228, [e-mail]).

Many of Ecuador's volcanoes are active and
they make living in the Andes an adventure
itself. After 339 years of dormancy, Volcán
Pichincha became visibly active in 1998,
creating a mushroom cloud near Quito and
spreading a light blanket of ash over the entire
city. Air traffic halted and there was brief
concern over potential dangers of an eruption,
though because of the crater's northwestern
position, it is unlikely to threaten the city itself.
And in November, 2002, El Reventador
Volcano, 60 miles east of the colonial capital in
the upper Amazon, created a cloud of ash 10
miles high that settled on the city and created a
brief state of emergency. Much closer,
Pichincha continues to rumble on occasion, a
gentle reminder that nature has the last word.

Although Pichincha is still active and has recently dropped ash on
Quito, experts do not expect any activity from it that would threaten
Quito in the near future. The volcano has two climbable summits.
Gaugua Pichincha , at 15,369 feet, is the lower of the two (but it's
also the active one). Nevertheless, it does offer some spectacular