Racing Antarctica, Movie Night, Book Launch Party!

Whew! So much exciting stuff happening.

I must first admit that fundraising has been hugely rewarding – I’m pleasantly surprised. Having passion for what the people at The Conservation Alliance are accomplishing keeps me motivated.

I am astonished at the generosity of so many friends and acquaintances. And it has been excellent touching base with some folks I haven’t corresponded with for quite a while. But this job is unceasing! Pass the word, send people my blog site, or better yet a direct link to my site where they can donate – http://www.terrischneider.net/

To add some fun to this process I’ve decided to host an “Endurance Madness” Movie Night as a fundraiser for Racing Antarctica and The Conservation Alliance. I’ll show film clips from Hawaii Ironman, Eco Challenge and an excellent documentary on Western States 100 and I’m certain that unless you have watched these with me you have never seen them – all “never been seen on TV footage”! This will be a get-motivated-or-your-money-back night of fun, film and raffle prizes. Plan to be massively inspired.
“Endurance Madness” Movie Night
Long Marine Lab, Santa Cruz, CA
Thursday, November 6th 7:00 PM


My new book has hit the market! I’ll be hosting a
Book Launching Party and Book Signing for:

Triathlon Revolution: Training, Technique and Inspiration
at
Capitola Book Café, Capitola CA
November 12, at 7:00 PM


If you’ve been thinking about writing a book I highly recommend it—loads of work but worth the rewards (kind of like an endurance event!).
Please come and celebrate this worthwhile project with me!!

Back at you with more Antarctica updates soon,
Terri

Racing Antarctica - for The Conservation Alliance

As some of you may know for most of my life I’ve sought adventure, physical duress and travel to far off wild places and the virtue that comes with these types of life choices. I’ve also witnessed the fragile relationship of human interaction with our planet. While the adventures I seek today seem to hold a much greater purpose, my time to give back is way, way, overdue. But the thought of running in 120 degree heat across the Sahara Desert is much more appealing to me than facing the terror of asking people to donate money for a cause…

Won’t you join me for my inaugural fundraising efforts and help dispel my fundraising fears! I’m raising money for The Conservation Alliance – an organization that directs their funding toward your community-based campaigns that protect threatened wild habitats. In this process we’ll embark on a big adventure – really big. I’ll be running 155 miles on one of the harshest continents on the planet – Antarctica. Join me! for Racing Antarctica, my fundraiser for The Conservation Alliance.

By supporting The Conservation Alliance, you will invest in an array of the most compelling conservation projects in North America—projects that support your favorite wild places and those of your children for years to come. The zeal of The Conservation Alliance and the outdoor industry companies who support this organization resonate highly with our lives and passions – like a cohesive family nurturing our planet. Help me in supporting your favorite wild places by joining me for Racing Antarctica. Contribute NOW! .

The idea of running 155 miles in one of the most inaccessible spots on the planet for the cause of protecting your favorite places back home is a perfect fit. Scroll down for a bit more info about the cause, the adventure and what YOU get for joining our Team.

The Cause
Have you given back to the rivers, mountains and open spaces that move you? To the places that humble you and will nurture your children for years to come? The Conservation Alliance does just that. They defend North America’s last wild places by supporting grassroots conservation organizations. Since 1989 they have helped protect more than 39 million acres of land, stop or remove 26 dams, and preserve access to thousands of miles of rivers and several climbing areas. But their job is unceasing! NOW’S YOUR CHANCE to give back!

The Adventure
I am one of 30 invited athletes who will participate in Racing the Planet: The Last Desert, November 24-December 4, 2008. As the windiest, driest and most frigid continent, Antarctica is the largest desert in the world. The Last Desert adventure will begin in Ushuaia, Argentina where we will travel two days by ship across the perilous Drake Passage. For 6 days and a total of 155 miles we will run at several locations on Antarctica and its outlying islands. I will be running to raise money for The Conservation Alliance – the folks who help preserve your favorite wild places.


Our goal is $5,000 (but I’d love to raise much much more)!

Your tax deductible contribution:

As a Racing Antarctica team member you’ll receive the following:
- You’ll come along to Antarctica! Your name (or company’s name) will be placed on a shirt that I’ll wear during my Last Desert adventure. (orca and polar bear levels get top billing)
- Invitation to a Team Racing Antarctica post event slide show and party!
- Regular updates on my training as well as live dispatches from the event.
- All contributors will get well deserved recognition on my website, on my donation site, as well as in all PR materials.

Suggested contributions:

Orca Level: $1000
Polar Bear Level: $500
Leopard Seal Level: $100
Weddell Seal Level: $50
Emperor Penguin Level: $25
Other: Whatever amount you wish!

1. Online donation site: To donate quickly and easily CLICK HERE. Go to http://www.terrischneider.net/ for more info.

2. Via email: To avoid an online fee, email terri@terrischneider.net – your contribution can be taken via visa/mastercard

3. Via mail: Send your check to Terri Schneider – Racing Antarctica, PO Box 1826, Aptos, CA 95001

I’m psyched at the prospect of running in inhospitable Antarctica to raise funds to support the wild places YOU love back home! Help me support this critical cause (and get a well deserved tax deduction…)!

Heartfelt thanks for your time in this,
Terri

“We must become the change we want to see in the world.” Gandhi

Books - Terri's Picks

My name is Terri and I am a book junkie! When I’m not actually moving on a climbing or racing adventure I seek out quiet spots to devour a few good books. I prefer a real live book over anything digital and gravitate predominantly toward non-fiction.

In a spare moment back home you’ll find me at my local book shop in the travel or biography sections, though I have been known to shop prolifically online. Book stores make me happy! I dream of having my own library where I can sit among great thoughts and just…ingest more thoughts. In the meantime I’ll continue to work on expanding my own publications (next book comes out this November!) while I offer you a selection of my favorite reads.

A few of the below were read recently while some quite a while back. They are in no particular order. Stay tuned as I add reviews of each to my website and this blog. I'll post the url to that web page once its up and running...

I'd love to get your recommendations or comments on the below list!

The Places in Between
Rory Stewart
Brilliant in its simplistic prose via a powerful, complex 'adventure'.

Enduring Patagonia
Greg Crouch
The truth from inside Patagonia and a climbers soul.

Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West
Benazir Bhutto
A testament to the severe tragedy of this great woman's death.

John Muir: Apostle of Nature
Thurman Wilkins
If you can get past the deadpan writing style, the story of a legend who defines the term "ahead of his time" will unfold before you.

The Power of Now
Eckhart Tolle
Like many great seekers, Tolle is powerful in his humility and offers a steadfast means to mindful clarity.

The Big Open
Rick Ridgeway
I love this guy! The adventure: as epic as they come and for a formidable cause. It doesn't get much better.

Behavioral Expressions and Biosocial Bases of Sensation Seeking
Marvin Zuckerman
I devoured this while writing my masters thesis on risk taking. If the topic highly grabs you go for it, but be warned it reads like a text book.

Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies and Why
Laurence Gonzales
In fascinating story form Gonzales explains the who's and why's of survival like no other. Refreshing after all the academic speak stuff I've read on the topic.

The Kite Runner
Khaled Hosseini
Wow. This blows doors on the movie. Movie isn't even in the same zip code of how fluid and devastating the book plays out. Have tissue available.

The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z
Steve Martin and Roz Chast
Every square inch of this book is good fun! I bought 15 copies as Christmas gifts for my ADULT friends!

On the Ridge Between Life and Death
David Roberts
Roberts is arguably the most eloquent climbing writer on the planet (and I've read a lot). This most recent book elevates the depth and honesty of his continued examination of the sport.

Mother Teresa: Come Be my Light
by Mother Teresa and Brian Kolodiejchuk
If sharing these writings with the world was in part to help us dip into the vortex of this woman’s limitless faith - it did the job excruciatingly well. Many hats off to the Missionaries of Charity for their continued work.

Dark Star Safari
Paul Theroux
I'll read anything P. Theroux has his name on but this pick is particularly honest and poignantly dark. A heartfelt examination of a brutally complex part of our world.

Three Cups of Tea
Greg Mortenson
I didn't connect with the prose but the story and subsequent work by Greg Mortenson is beyond inspirational. An important piece in helping us understand the complexities of culture in the middle east.

The Beckoning Silence
Joe Simpson
Simpson also at the top of the 'best climbing authors' list. He has a profound knack for helping the reader feel that you are there. His writing gets better with each publication.

The Unheard
Josh Swiller
Within the context of a memorable story, Josh gives us valuable insight into the life of a deaf person. Compelling from start to finish.

Coronation Everest
Jan Morris

Thinking Body, Dancing Mind
Jerry Lynch

Camp 4
Steve Roper

Let my People go Surfing
Yvon Chouinard

Sacred Hoops
Phil Jackson

Man’s Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl

The Elephanta Suite
Paul Theroux

Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch
Henry Miller

Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison

Life in the Amazon Jungle - Kusutkau Village

Note: My apology that this is "late" but in any case, I think you'll enjoy this amazing experience. I will have more photos up soon.

We had the privilege of spending one evening and one morning in one of the Achuar villages, a 30 minute boat ride up the river from our lodge. Since we would be engaging in a couple of Achuar ceremonies, we were briefed by our guide on the social nuances in which we’d engage. We couldn’t just cruise in and start chatting, there was a manner in which these people interacted that was relevant and respectful. We were also told that no photo taking was allowed...

Apparently many years ago one of the Achuar villages (“the people of the aguaje palm”) was visited by some outsiders who wanted to film their existence. After this visit something “bad” happened in that village and the people there equated the mishap to the photos that were taken (don’t ask me why). Since that time photo taking is prohibited. Initially I was disappointed with this prospect. But as our visit progressed I realized the immense value in just being there engaging without having to wonder whether I was missing a good photo op. I remained focused on the nuances and interactions of the people rather than working to capture an image.

Most villages in this region are built on what look like (and is) a dirt landing strip for a small plane or helicopter. Foot and boat travel are these peoples only means of getting from one place to another, but they realize that if an emergency arose they would be ‘stuck’. So at some point they started building landing strips down the middle of their villages for Cessna or helicopter access. I do not know how they contact someone with a plane but apparently they have a system.

Achuar life centers on the domestic household, which consists of a primary family unit but can include close relatives. There are usually about ten to fifteen households within the village. Marriages are typically polygamous though in the family we visited the husband chose to have only one wife because he felt that focusing his time on fewer children and wives helped create a more prosperous and less conflicted environment.

We arrived by river and climbed a short embankment to the village site. I noticed immediately how friendly and aggressive the children were – not to us but to each other. Watching them play, climb trees with their feet and hands like a black bear, and push each other around, reminded me of watching wolf puppies in the wild. If you live in a harsh and tough land you’d better learn how to match the land or you don’t survive. During our visit I witnessed children of all families in this village, caring for each other, wandering off into the jungle to gather food or heading to the river to swim – even if they were only 3 or 4 years old. In this environment their lifestyle requires the kids to be tough as animals and it showed in their movements and interactions.

An Achuar home has a strong roof made of palm leaves and trees and it may or may not have side “walls”. If an enclosure if present it resembles an American fence with a short gate as the front door. We entered our hosts home in the ‘male’ area of the house. This is the section where guests are greeted and engaged. A log may section off another area of the house – the ‘female’ area. Outsiders are not allowed into the female area, it is reserved for family and close friends. Our host sat in the middle of the dirt floor on a wooden stool and we sat in a circle on logs or benches, greeting him as we filed in (there were 6 people in our group). He wore a skirt, a necklace of bones and seeds, a woven head band and his face was painted.

Conversation was initiated by our Achuar guide. They chatted about their day interjecting affirmative guttural noises while they avoided direct eye contact (a form of aggression) and as their conversation progressed it became louder and louder. We were then asked to introduce ourselves and our introductions were translated into Spanish and then into the Achuar language. Our host then asked us a few questions. Questions that were telling as to what was important in his life; space (freedom) and family. “Do you have much land around your homes?” – “Are your parents alive?” (his had died when he was young). We then were allowed to ask him questions.

During this time small children would come and go through the back gate, food was being gathered and prepared, and we were served chicha (sp?) or manioc beer by the wife of our host (who never spoke). This drink is the only source of fluid they take in. They have adapted to not drinking the river water as it is not compatible with humans. Instead they all drink this liquid made from a jungle plant which is chewed by the females of the family then fermented. The length of fermentation decides the strength of the brew.

They have deciphered that if all members of a family or even community ingest the saliva of the women, they are gaining natural antibodies that help their clan in warding off disease. The manioc beer serves that purpose nicely.

As we set up our tents and explored the village, the sun set over the jungle canopy and the full moon shined on a starry night. Many question the primitive existence of such people but in moments such as this in nature, I question the sanity of our civilized existence.

That night our whole group dined like kings on chicken, fish and roots that had been wrapped in banana leaves and placed over an open fire to bake. I then lay down on a pad with just a light blanket and looked out at the stars. I thought of how lucky I was to be sharing this moment with such a rich culture. For people who, in our eyes, have nothing, they seem to possess a strong sense of what is often missing in our world—family bonds and peace.

The Achuar day begins at 4 AM with a Wayusa ceremony (we participated in this ceremony). Strong black tea is drunk until one vomits. This is a cleansing ritual to start their day. While they sip tea they spend time with family, discussing issues in the village, teaching children how to make crafts, and playing. It is family time and is executed every day for a few hours until the sun comes up.

It is said that an Achuar is a living encyclopedia. They can recognize each of the 500 species of birds found in their area. One person can distinguish every tree and explain their medical or practical uses. They live in harmony with their environment, where all animals and plants have human-like attributes with a soul and an independent life. According to the Achuar every plant or animal has its own language and they are believed to understand some elements of this language. They know where to fish, how to hunt and when to harvest their crops. The forest is their nourishing mother.
The Achuar also believe that when somebody dies, some parts of the body become autonomous and will reincarnate in species animals. Thus, the lungs and the butterflies, the shadow becomes a deer, the heart lives in a bird and the liver is an owl.
During our Wayusa ceremony our host played his flute for us. We learned more about the Achuar way of life including how to use a make and use dart gun for hunting. We then got an opportunity to purchase crafts made by the village women and children. Decorative ceramic bowls are made by clay gathered in the river beds, necklaces made with seeds and animal bones, and woven head bands.

These people chose to interact with westerners because they believe that if they can create awareness about the importance and beauty of their environment and culture, we may see its inherent value and stop clear cutting or trying to invade their lifestyle by trying to change it (missionaries). So they let us in to be brief fly’s on the wall of an ancient way of life. What I saw were people with clarity of purpose, family ties, strong relationships with nature and contentment. Not so bad for folks who have no shoes and cook over an open fire on dirt floors.

I once again return home to a changed up lens color. This time further convinced to downsize my life (if I possibly can any more), and live closer to mother earth. Sometimes in our convoluted world – the answers we seek are in the simple places and times. Dust off the travel bag, and a world of answers can await.

To the Amazon Rain Forest

Note: I´m heading home tomorrow (sunday) but wanted to get started on piecing together this portion of my trip for you all. More to come upon my return state-side... (please excuse typos)

Monday, July 14

As we drove to Shell from Quito (Plan B), we noticed that we could see the beautiful snow capped volcanoes. Looks like the weather has cleared - go figure.

The really cool part of this drive was through the deep wet river valley and the start of the Cloud Forest near a village called Banos (yes, Banos). Despite the unfortunate name Banos is the "extreme sports capital" of Ecuador. Just on our wisk through we witnessed mountain biking, rafting, kayaking and bungee jumping. The many waterfalls in the deep canyon accentuated this lovely spot.

Our Cessna flight to Kapawi lodge in the Amazon was nothing short of spectacular. For the first 15 minutes I could see an infrequent smattering of dwellings, then our final 45 minutes into the bowels of the jungle was nothing but a sea of forest as far as the eye could see. Sort of like a lush green version of the Pacific.

Once we decended into our brief dirt runway and I stepped out of our 4 seater plane it felt like OZ unfolding before me and the air smelled like warm honey. "Toto we definitely aren´t at 15,000 feet anymore..."

I have been in rainforests before in Borneo and Australia and I figured out fast that they are all remarkably unique and yet hold similar qualities as well. The sameness lies in the warm enveloping radiance of the moist, still climate teamed with a consistently frenetic vibrancy in the surrounding jungle. Its inviting and confusing at the same time - like being wrapped in a heavy down comforter with a raging storm outside.

On our brief tranquil canoe ride from the landing strip to the lodge I recalled the many rivers just like this one I have paddled and swam (and picked up diseases ..). And I had that feeling of hope I get when traveling to a remote place on the planet - that maybe, perhaps, we are not yet lost to our own ingorance and inadequacies in sustaining our planet. Just maybe...

Tuesday, July 15/16 - Amazon

Yesterday I whiled away the afternoon in the hammock on the deck of our "cabin" writing, watching birds listening to jungle noises. There is a constant chatter and drone about the rain forest. The sounds during the day are unique to those in evening and then at night. As the day progresses into night its as if the critters are slowly sliding the volume up to hit max right when you climb into bed. But the sound is soothing, natural - distinctly different from man made sounds.

We started our day with birdwatching from the river. I´ve never had an interest in going into nature with the purpose of looking at birds but the relaxing rhythm of the canoe and our countless sightings of birds unique to this part of the world kept my interest.

After a lovely breakfast (the food here is quite good and I seem to be adding some weight to my ass as a result), we headed out on a 3 hour hike with the motive of learning about the medicinal plants used by the Achuar people who live in and have the rights to this region of the Amazon.

Only 7 % of plants in the rain forest are edible! The rest are toxic or poisonous ( both of which can be used in particular medicines by the locals). If the forest was more safely chewable than it is it would be taken over by the ridiculous plethera of insects. The animals figure out what they can and can´t eat and yes, there is a very specific pecking order for how it all works. Nature is admirably smart in all this - we are the ones that tend to disrupt things. Though the Achuar have lived here since - God knows when - and they too have adapted to live in sync with all beings in the forest. All depend and thrive on each other for survival.

Here´s an example: The ant bird follows and eats army ants. Certain types of butterflies follow the ant bird and eat its feces - the ant bird apparently excretes a certain mineral that is needed for this butterfly to lay its eggs. So they all work off of each other to survive. We learned of just a few of thousands of these types of processes.

We examined plants used for pain, malaria, wounds, ear aches, to ward off evil spirits and to cure a child with a cold. Wow who needs mega-billion dollar pharmecutical companies when its all right here! Nature truly does provide if one is obliged to seek and experiment. More food and we decided to head out on another short hike before an afternoon canoe trip up river.

Tomorrow we will doing more trekking, then heading to a nearby Achuar village as we´ve been invited to spend the night, interact and have ceremony with these indigenous people. More about this part of my trip when I return to CA...
terri

Back in Quito from the Amazon...

Wow - I´m back in Quito via helicopter, and kinda blown away from my whole experience in the Amazon - including an intimate visit to a family ´home´in a village of the Achuar people who reside there. Wow again...

Once more my perspective of the world and myself in it has been turned over a few times. Really great stuff. I´m a bit weary from travel but will write more soon to recap the whole experience plus share some additional poignant thoughts I chewed on while swinging in a hammock listening to jungle noises...
Back at you soon...
xoxo
terri

Off to the Amazon

After a serious day of sight seeing in Old Town and shopping at the Quito art exibits we´re off tomorrow to the antithesis of the mountains of Ecuador - the Amazon jungle. I´m still blown away at the diversity of the geography of this country. This leg of our trip will solidify that observation. We´ll be staying at www.kapawi.com - an Eco Lodge owned and run by the Achuar people.

The lodge is a 30 minute plane ride to Colon, 1 hour helecopter ride then canoe journey into the lodge which is located on the border of Ecuador and Peru. The only other way to get into this area is by foot - 10 days through the jungle.

We´ll be trekking, canoing, bird/animal watching as well as spending time with the indigenous Achuar people in their villages. I hope to see pirrahna and pink dolphins and get a strong sense of how these people live in this challenging area...

Needless to say, I won´t have email or internet access while at Kapawi.
Back at you on the other side...
xoxo
terri
(check out posts below on the last few days of our trip in the mountains...)

Lets back up a few days...

Some fun details starting a few days ago...

July 9

We´ve reached Chimborazo Base Camp and the lodge owned by Marco Cruz. Yet another stunning spot we´ve been able to experience - www.expediciones-andinas.com - click on Estrella del Chimborazo.

The views from the lodge, the detail of the craftmanship and history of its housed artifacts are reflective of the man who built this dream spot. Each square inch of each room was attended to in detail and with care. The colors chosen to evoke warmth and life and and the pictures and items hung tell a tale of a full rich life.

Marco Cruz has not only been climbing for 50 years he is a lover of history, art, geography and the people that surround him. Among some of the original pitons, carabiners and climbing protection made are photos of his beloved Ecuador and the native people he respects. Despite our lack of climbing we have been more than pleased with our time with Marco - he has taught us much about his country. I am truly in awe of this mans depth.

I wish I could gather all of my friends and family at this lodge and sit around the fire sipping tea. The warmth of that consensus would be profound.

The Next Day:

The snow dump and high winds that we got on Cotopaxi seem to have followed us to Chimborazo. Its been dumping on the mountain for 5 days and continues as I write this - once again nixing our climbing plans. We attempted a hike today in an area near our lodge with Inca ruins and even more unique vegitation, but 100 yards from the car we got pummeled by hail and winds that were knocking us over. The weather is not cooperating.

But mountaineering requires time and patience - the former of which we don`t have since we chose to plan this trip with a tight time schedule. Therefore we must accept our predicament.

So instead of heading up to high camp i sit curled up next to a grand stone fireplace writing and reading - not such a bad consolation actually.

And the Next:
more bad weather. Even if it clears at this point avalanche danger would be very high. So we
started our day with a run from the lodge... at 13,000 feet. Actually it was more like a trot down hill for a bit, then a walk/shuffle back up the hill to the lodge. Now that is an excellent way to humble onself as a runner.

We then headed off to experience a market in a village quite a drive up into the mountains. Here all resident villagers gather each week to purchase or trade food, pigs, cows, and other goods. This collective
of Andean villages houses the original" people of this area who continue to uphold their ancestors traditional way of life. (I took some great pics - look forward to sharing those when I return). From
the market at 14,000 feet we had rich views of the surrounding hills of crops and dwellings.

We then headed to Marco´s home in Riobamba as we were invited to lunch with his family - apparently quite a priviledge. Marco´s home and surrounding property are something out
of ´life of the rich and famous in Ecuador´. His ranch-spanish style home looks like more of a stylish museum of climbing, Incan and Catholic religious artifacts. Stunning at minimum.

But the best of it was our conversation with his wife and daughter. We discussed America and the coming election, sports, and womens
status in both Ecuador and America.
We also got the best compliment I´ve gotten to date from a foreigner who interacts quite a bit with tourists. Ximena, Marco´s wife, said that we seemed incredibly matter of fact and accepting of the ways of 3rd world Ecuador. She said that most people criticize and dissect the ways of the Ecuadorian people rather than take them at face value, as we did. I told her that having traveled extensively, one either learns to observe and accept or,take on the angst of the worlds problems. i prefer the former as it is a much richer means of truly "seeing" another culture.

Opening to the ways of others also allows us to come home and feel genuine priviledge for all we have. And though we don´t think we do - belive me - we have oodles.

more tomorrow before we head to the Amazon.
xoxo
terri

In short - Continued severe weather prevented us from getting to the top of Chimborazo (20,700 feet). But we have had an auspitious few days in a gorgeous place with incredible people.

Today we tried to climb a part of the mountain instead of sitting around waiting for the weather to change. We got up to just under 17,000 feet to make an attempt at crossing a narrow ridgeline and with 70 mph winds it was sketchy at best - so we aborted Plan A, decended a bit and then traversed for several miles through about 4 eco-systems back to our lodge. The weather is still raging now on the mountain.

We´re back in Quito for some good food, shopping and wine and then off to the antithesis of the mountains - the Amazon jungle. I´ll post more tomorrow....it has been such a fabulous trip even sans summits...put Ecuador on your travel list!
Best,
Terri

Day 4-6- Ecuador

In short - our attempt on Cotapaxi was thwarted by an ice storm. But we´re safe and heading to our next mountain...Here´s how it played out in this land of crazy weather...

After a fitfull night sleep due to smoke inhalation from our room´s wood stove I had a bit of a black day.. Very tired. Doubt. Bad mood. I woke with a feeling of impending doom and it lingered for about 24 hours.

Our short hike up to the lovely Cotapaxi climbers refuge at about 15,000 ft. cleared my head a bit and lifted my mood. It appears the weather is following suit with my sporatic moods. After several days of pretty good weather we were required to hike up in a snow storm today.

The wind generally blows from the east6 and the area of the Amazon. Most of the time it does not actually snow above this mountain, rather the moisture blown from the rain forest turns to a viel of snow when it hit the top of the mountain. The direction of the wind partly determines the consistency of the precipitation - ice, rain, or snow.

Ice direction can cerate a cap of ice on the glacier, rain will turn the snow to glue, and snow, well is snow. The speed of the wind will not only affect the condensation but whether we can stay upright on the mountain, or not.

We are slated to head to the summit in about 7 hours. If the weather remains as it is our glacier will either be iced over or become unstable glue ´- in either case our attempt will be thwarted.

But apparently conditions can change from minute to minute as we are experiencing so what we will have in 7 hours is anybodies guess - even our head guide who has summited this mountain over 500 times.

Cotapaxi National Park houses wild horses, alpaca, llama, deer and an intense array of cactus, wildflowers and shrubs that run the spectrum of the rainbow visually. This mix is quite soothing to the eye and the soul. The is a quiet peace in this place despite is juxtoposition to the looming volcano.

Day 6

Up early in the refuge and good byes all around to our newfound friends. We confirmed that we had made the right call after talking to a guy who tried for the summit last night and got turned around after only 45 minutes of climbing. We´re off to Chimborazo to try our hand.
Once again I will be off email for a couple days. Wish us luck.
Best to all! (sorry for all the typos!)
xoxo
terri