THE HOUSE OF THE VOLCANO

Getting to the Cotopaxi National Park is simply removed. On the Other Hand, It Is Difficult to forget ITS landscapes. Because in this place, the mountains, Valleys and lagoons, as a spectacular panorama, Able to overwhelm the traveler. Located at only 50 kilometers from Quito, this protected area también a temptation for the “climbers” who fight and Suffer to arrive to the summit of the Cotopaxi, the Highest active volcano in the world.
It is cold, maybe too much, But That Is Not important now, Because it is NECESSARY to continue although the hill is sheer and the air gets scarce. One, two, three more steps … There is up the mountain, Powerful, the volcano, active. If it Exploder, rivers of lava, burning, igneous, aglow – Would Valleys and raze the cities. The life Tosses ashes for the rage of the bowel of the earth … But it is NECESSARY to continue: one, two, three. Persistent steps. Numb steps.
Closer or farther. Where is the end of the road? “, The summit wrapped up with snow flakes and Cover by a thick scarf of clouds? … and it gets colder and the air gets scarce. Hardly it exists. The Heart Does not fit in the chest, beats with strength, claming for a rest … But it is NECESSARY to continue Until Reaching the summit of the volcano. One, two, three more steps. Hopefully They Are the last ones.
The escalade continues. It is a question of will, of zeal, to the fatigue of Demonstrating That is always a tiny piece of energy inside the body. Do not let the frozen wind Neither the tortuous hill, Not Even the treacherous cracks in the badges of ice to stop you. To continue Until Reaching the summit of the Cotopaxi, That is the only one important thing now. There Only One Will Be Entitled to rest.
The pilgrims of the volcano and the lovers of the icy weather of the mountains with cowlicks of snow, Do not abandon in Their Fight Against Imposing the Cotopaxi. The groups of “climbers”, leave the Mountain Refuge José Ribas (at the base of the mountain and at 4800 masl) Between midnight and two am The Moon is an accomplice of Their adventure.
Ascending in the darkness to surprise the giant and Reaching the summit with the first sunbeams That seek to heat the snow. Nobody Thinks of Returning to the refuge. Nobody Wants To Be Defeated by the height or the cold or the fatigue … The “climbers” continue Their walk: They carry strings, nails and crampons, They Also carry courage and anger.
The Cotopaxi is the Highest active volcano in the world (5897 meters). Its last eruption in 1877 WAS. Stone and mud avalanches, rivers of lava go down with violent brutality. Their smoky waste Reach the Pacific Ocean. If it Exploded again, Would it cause Serious damages “in the central area of the Ecuadorian Andes.