Science at the Center of the World

On November 21, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Photo Challenge, South America7 Comments

One of the things that we really enjoyed during our visit to Quito, Ecuador, was going to the true equator and participating in several experiments. The first experiment was to close your eyes and walk along the equator line. Oddly enough, everyone found it hard to keep their balance and walk a straight line. We were told that it was because of the conflicting pulls from the northern and southern hemispheres causing you to want to lean one direction or the other. Next we watched as water was poured into a sink in each of the hemispheres and, although there are ways to make it swirl the way that you want, when nature is left to its own design it swirls in different directions. The same is true of hurricanes and typhoons where in the northern hemisphere things spin counterclockwise while in the southern hemisphere they spin clockwise. Water going down a drain does the same thing, counterclockwise north of the equator and clockwise south of the equator. Next was an experiment that we’re not completely sure if it works or why it works, but our guide had us push up on his hands while we weren’t on the equator and we were able to force his hands upward. Then we moved to the equator line and he used a single finger and was able to keep us from pushing his hand upward. The final experiment was to balance a raw egg on a nail on the equator line, which isn’t easy, but a few people were able to succeed. Definitely not something that you can do at home, unless you happen to live on the equator. All of them were very interesting, so for this week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge of Experimental, here are some pictures of the experiments at the equator.

Details of the Basilica in Quito, Ecuador

On November 2, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Photo Challenge, South America3 Comments

We had heard that we could get wonderful views of Quito by climbing to the top of the towers of the Basilica del Voto Nacional, so we made sure to put that on our itinerary. The architecture of the church is truly fascinating and some of the most interesting items are the grotesques, which aren’t gargoyles, but instead are native animals of Ecuador. Seeing the iguanas, turtles, caimans, and other creatures jutting from the stone walls was definitely interesting and unique. In other ways, it is a typical basilica similar to any that you find in Europe and around the world.

In addition to the architecture, the stained glass windows are truly stunning. On your way to the tower, you get great views of the main cathedral as well as a closer view of the windows. In order to reach the tower, you must cross a rickety wooden platform and then climb a ladder. You aren’t done climbing at this point and our fear of heights kept us from getting all of the way to the top, but we did get the amazing views that were promised.

This week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge is Peek and we are hoping that you get a good peek at the details of the Basilica.

Cotopaxi Volcano near Quito, Ecuador

On October 27, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Hiking, South America9 Comments

On a clear day, Cotopaxi is an ominous sight that can be seen looming in the distance outside of Quito. It is an active volcano that last erupted in August of 2015 and spewed ash and steam until January of 2016. You are no longer able to hike all of the way to the top, but you can hike up to the refuge shelter that sits about half way up the side of the volcano. There are evacuation route signs throughout the park providing a sense of how seriously one should take the possible threat of a future eruption.

Upon entering the park, you pass through a forest that is owned by a local lumber mill that provides wood for making furniture and other items. The road quickly deteriorates as you move your way closer to the base of the mountain and you pass through fields with wild horses roaming in the grasslands. It was a cloudy, foggy day, as is often the case, during our visit to the Cotopaxi National Park. We did get a few glimpses of the peak, although most of the time is was shrouded by clouds.

The steep road, which was made up of deep sand and ash, continued to get more and more difficult to travel the closer we got towards the trailhead. At several spots the road was almost unpassable due to the deep, slippery, sand and then as we rounded a bend just short of the trailhead, our driver got stuck and was not able to make it up the steep slope. We were just one of several vehicles that were not able to make it up this stretch of road even though we were in an all-wheel drive vehicle. It is definitely important to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle if you want to make it to the trailhead. We could have hiked up to the trailhead and then continued to the shelter house, but decided that due to the cold conditions and high altitude that we would pass on this particular hike.

Wind Swept Grasslands and Shrouded Volcano

Our guide then took us to the Limpiopungo glacier lake, which was created centuries ago and is home to an abundance of waterfowl and other birds. We did a nice hike around the lake, enjoying views of the wetlands and the volcano on the horizon. It was cold and windy, but the hike was very pleasant anyway. Afterwards, we stopped at a small, family-owned restaurant to enjoy a nice hot lunch before returning to Quito in the afternoon.

Visiting Cotopaxi is a simple, hour and a half drive from Quito and is well worth the time to visit. There are so many volcanoes in Ecuador that are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and each is unique in their own way. If it is possible to go on a sunny day, you will be greeted with stunning views of the snow capped volcano.