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I'll be participating in a 4-day volcano challenge and will be working my butt of until then trying to get in shape so I can make it through the challenge in one peice! The summits are over 16,000 feet high so it'll be no easy task making it to the top of these volcanoes! 

 

The challenge is designed to raise money for our schools in Ecuador. These projects are very close to my heart and the money raised will go directly towards improving life for the kids at school- whether that be scholarship $ to attend high school, or supplies for the kitchen that provides the children with often their only meal of the day.

 

Stats show that only 5% of indigenous children go on to complete high school education because they simply cannot afford it. It costs approximately $150 to support each student per year.

For those of you interested, the details of the challenge are below:

Day 1:  Laguna de Cuicocha
Our first day, we will be enjoying the crater lake of Laguna Cuichocha.  At 3,068m the lagoon created over a thousand years ago is at the foot of Cotacachi. The round trip will take about 4.5 hours.

Day 2:  Fuya Fuya               
We will set out early and head up to Lago Mojando where they will begin the ascent of Fuya Fuya.  At 4,290m  Fuya Fuya overlooks Lago Mojando (a series of 3 crater lakes). Often covered in cloud  this extinct volcano, with its steep climb, will provide the perfect acclimatization and warm up for the team.

Day 3:  Volcán Imbabrura 
Heading out at 4:30 am the team will make their way up to national park entrance where they will begin the 5 hour ascent of Imbabura.
The team will be climbing up the east face of the exploded crater and will be up among high grass páramo and in the last 100m face some rocky outcrops to reach the summit at 4,557m. If the clouds are high the team will be rewarded with a fantastic view of Ibarra, Otavalo and of their objective for the 4th and final day - Cotacachi!

 Day 4: Volcán Cotacachi

The final and most challenging of climbs (especially after the previous days) is that of Cotacachi - the 11th highest peak in Ecuador (4,944m)- an estimated 8hr return climb. The team will once again set out at dawn and get ahead of the sunshine in the 5 hours ascent.  The last 100 or so metres will require a rock climb and ropes and harnesses will be provided for those that wish to attempt the summit.

 

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