Quito to Misuhalli

Ernie in bush camp at Cuyuja with the crag in the background.

This was the site for our first bush camp. Was pleased to get away from Quito as 5 members of the group had been robbed at knife point. The drive to the crag was stunning over hills and scary gorges with forests as far as the eye could see and in the backdrop snowcapped volcanoes. The climbing here was on solid Andesite and was mostly steep and technical. Owing to the lack of really good topos I chose the route which looked the easiest. I later found out from a reliable source that it was a 7b+ which made me relieved as I had dogged most of my way up it! Had two days climbing here. Other highlights were showering under a beautiful waterfall and on our leader Toms birthday Chris (our driver) set his face on fire whilst juggling with fire. Of great joy was the chicken we bought and slaughtered for dinner one night. If you look carefully you can see it´s head hanging from the truck door. We have now driven down to sea level and are staying in a lodge on the banks of a river in the middle of the jungle. We plan to go tubing and go on some jungle tours, hopefully to learn more of the indigenous lifestyle. Sorry I only managed to get one photo on, camera ran out of power before I could get more on, ill get the hang of this technologu eventually! Hope all is well at home!

Evening entertainment on Ernie. The French introduced a game called caps where you have to throw the cap off your opponents bottle. If you succeed they must drink, the French were very good.

Campsite in the jungle by the beautiful river. Hot rock kitchen in the middle.

Hunter in the making! Me blowing poisoined arrows at a termite mound. Notice the tribesmens privates are skillfully hidden by his arrow pouch!