Howdy folks, We have just kicked off our next Ecuador Volcanoes program here in Quito.  With most of our team arriving late last night, we spent day one casually around town. After a large buffet breakfast we went on a four-hour city tour where we visited the equator along with some key landmarks throughout the old city of Quito.  Even though this wasn't quite as relaxing as laying by a pool all day, it is important that we keep some blood flowing for acclimatization. Just by being in this city we are starting this process because it sits at 9000'.   Once we returned to our hotel and did a gear check the team was ready for a little fun, so we checked out one of Quito's new micro breweries.  The pale ale was on par and the chili cheese fries were among the best I ever had. Finally we will go to dinner tonight so we can pack on a few more calories before we start burning them tomorrow on our first acclimatization hike up Rucu Pichincha.  A small 15,700-foot hill right outside town. Stay tuned to follow the rest of our journey through the Andean high country! RMI Guide Ben Liken