The Llanganates Mountains are an area of high-altitude grassland rising to the north of the town of Baños in Ecuador's central highlands. They are famous for being the place where the Inca warrior Rumiñahui hid a cache of Inca treasure from the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.
The Llanganates Mountains are unusual for Ecuador in that they are not volcanic. Navigation is difficult because trails are faint, often hidden by tall grass and swirling clouds. This trip ended up being a reconnaissance for us. We had intended to climb its highest peak, Cerro Hermoso, but I was sick and unable to continue after the first day. We turned around, but learned much about a rarely explored part of the Andes and will be better prepared next time.
For a trip report see: www.markhorrell.com/blog/2019...
For related photographs see: www.flickr.com/photos/markhor...
Music by Aussens@iter (dig.ccmixter.org/files/tobias_...)
30 май 2020
