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Ecuador’s Volcanoes: Team’s Arrival & First Day in Quito

Posted by: Eric Frank, Casey Grom | December 13, 2012
Categories: *Expedition Dispatches *Ecuador
Elevation: 9,350'

Hello everyone. After a day of long flights, our team arrived in Quito last night and moved into the Hotel Mercure Alameda to rest and recover.

This morning the team indulged in a great breakfast including various local fruits and dishes. After a quick orientation meeting, we headed out for a city tour and visit to the Equator. Warm weather and a sunny day made our time walking around the city enjoyable. We were able to visit Independence Plaza, the Jesuit church La Compania, and the Virgin of Quito - a 100+ foot statue with gorgeous views overlooking the city.

Seated at 9,350 feet, the air in Quito is thin, especially for those of us coming from sea level. The city tour, in addition to exposing us to some of the best sights in Quito, gave us a chance to stretch our legs and aid in the acclimatization process. The time that we spend here is building the base to increase our chances of success later in the trip.

We spent the afternoon exploring the Equatorial line and phenomenon associated with it. We watched basins of water, only a dozen feet apart, swirl opposite directions on each side of the line and learned when the indigenous people first discovered their location.

After taking a few hour siesta, the team met for our first dinner to round out the day.  The conversation and laughter at our table made it feel like a group of old friends, who will only grow closer in the coming days.

RMI Guide Casey Grom

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