to Pine Forest Camp: another big Ecuador hill

March 22, 2017

Today is pretty much a repeat from the last couple of days; there is big hill waiting for us.

We go downhill to a river, then face a 1300 meter high hill. It starts off pretty steep, this is going to hurt. The views into the valley are beautiful but most of the time we are just staring at the road grinding away kilometer after kilometer getting to the top. There is a cold wind, then some rain, then a little sunshine. We stop in Susudel for a drink and food break. Right along the road is a small park with a shelter that might make a good campspot if you bring earplugs. A little further up at a viewpoint bus stall, we stop to make salami sandwiches.

Just over the main hill is another good-sized town (we did not see a hostal though) with several restaurants. We have a nice bowl of hot soup and coffee. Then one more rise to just over 3200 meters. There are some shops and restaurants at the crossroads where we fill our water bladder. Not 500 meters further is what looks like the old road cut going through a pine forest. We have to push our bike up one at the time, but there is a very nice campsite in the trees. It is about three o'clock. We enjoy a couple of hours of dry weather which we use to cook our dinner. Shortly after we retire in the tent the rain starts up again.

One more day, one more hill and we will have a couple of rest days in Cuenca.