January 8 – Glacial Valleys and Deposits, Paramo Ecological Zone, Termas Papallacta
Up and out early this morning as we leave Quito for five nights “on-the-road”. Traveled east up a beautiful U-shaped glacially carved valley examining evidence and deposit of glaciation. By noon we were up on the South American continental divide. Water flows west to the Pacific or east in the Amazon river basin.
Our planned 6 mile hike down through the unique, high-altitude Paramo ecological zone was cut short by low clouds (we were in the clouds!), high winds (35+ mph) and freezing rain. Coupled with the challenge of hiking at 14,500 feet we felt it prudent to do only about 2 miles.It was still an interesting intellectual and physical challenge.
We then head east toward the Amazon rain forest, again traveling down a beautiful U-shaped glacial valley, inspecting striations along the way. We arrived relatively early at the Papallacta Hot Spring hotel, where we took advantage of the naturally heated pools right outside our door and the wonderful restaurant for dinner, followed by a little more soaking!
