Page 28 - 2018 AMA Summer

EXPEDITIONNEWS
EX DRAGON
ECUADORIAN
ODYSSEY
By Jodi Longyear
Julian Assange, quinoa, the equator and volcanoes seemed to top the ‘pub quiz’ answers connected to Ecuador. So when the question ‘Do you want to go on an expedition to Ecuador?’ was asked the obvious answer to me was ‘Yes’
As a trained geography teacher who’d never quite managed to cross into the southern hemisphere the lure of the equator was great. Also, the expedition was planned for January when the weather in the UK was guaranteed to be cold, dark and miserable. I’d read enough Joseph Conrad and Jules Verne to know that the equator would be delightfully warm. The lure of some actual, real volcanoes rather than Youtube videos narrated by Professor Iain Stewart was also a draw. I’m a big fan of quinoa as well though I hoped the local cuisine wouldn’t rely too heavily on this Andean superfood.
Everyone’s aims for the expedition were slightly different. Some people would be totting up log book experience, others revisiting old haunts and for some it might be a life changing experience in a new culture. My aims were threefold: firstly to have an enjoyable and rewarding cultural experience, next to push myself on the physical and technical aspects of ‘alpine’
mountaineering and lastly to peak on some very high mountains.
Aim 1. Ecuador did not disappoint. It is a stunning country with friendly people, a varied and interesting cuisine including just enough quinoa and beautiful scenery. A real bonus which added hugely to the trip was our engagement with a group of Ecuadorian Special Forces. No matter what level of language skills we shared these guys were a real boon to the trip. On the steepest climbs they showed us the way forward (as they tended to be at the front) and we also gained a ton
of cultural knowledge. A highlight for me was watching Capt Smith’s face when he came into the room to see me playing Ecuadorian Rummy for cash with three of the toughest guys in Ecuador.
The balance of the trip between moun- taineering and acclimatisation (work and play) was pretty much perfect. Free days in Otavalo and Quito allowed for rest, a little shopping and a chance to practice some rope work. Free days also allowed us to scope out restaurants for the evening meal. Good food proved quite easy to
28 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER