On Saturday, we rode the Teleferico (a gondola) and then hiked to the top of the Pinchincha volcano that rises to the west of Quito. There are 2 peaks of the mountain: Wawa Pinchincha and Ruku Pinchincha. Wawa Pinchincha is the active caldera of the volcano and most recently erupted in 1999. We climbed to the top of Ruku Pinchincha which is 15,400 feet above sea level. We were in awe that this hike exists so close to such a large metropolitan area. We even saw several Lupine which reminded us of home. Lucy impressed everyone with her ability to scramble up any slope and make it easily to the summit. You actually look down on some of the clouds when you get above 15,000 feet so you feel like you really do “touch the sky”.

The Route

Lupine

Lucy waiting patiently for us