Ecuador Volcanoes Expedition Dispatch
October 9, 2018 – A Trek Around “Guinea Pig Lake”
Our goal today was hike around the Guinea Pig lake, a crater lake situated at the foot of Cotocachi Volcano, at an altitude of 3200m.
After breakfast, we left for Cuichoca Lake. Cuichcha means guinea pig in Quechua. Our trail around the lake stared at an elevation of 3200 meters.
The volcano's last eruption was 3000 years ago. The vegetation around the lake was formed since then and it is quite spectacular.
Team is ready to go at the trailhead
Team photo at the beginning of the trek
Soon we were climbing above the shores of Cuicocha Lake
Two islands in this volcanic lake are said to like guinea pigs – hence the lake.
Andrea and Adriana
Gabby
Jerry and Lorraine on the trail
Kale helping adjust Lorraine backpack