Resting on the slopes of an active volcano sounds like a daredevil’s dream doesn’t it? Welcome to the Guagua Pichincha Refuge a place where adventure meets the raw power of nature. Guagua Pichincha a stratovolcano in Ecuador looms large. Quito the capital city nestles around its eastern base.
Here at the Guagua Pichincha Refuge you are standing on the flanks of a giant. The two highest points Wawa Pichincha and Ruku Pichincha are visible from Quito. Locals often use them for acclimatization climbs. Wawa Pichincha translated from Kichwa means small child. Ruku means old person. The names offer an interesting contrast to the volcano’s volatile nature.
Did you know that the first recorded ascent of Guagua Pichincha was back in 1582? José Ortiguera led a group of locals to the summit. Imagine their awe as they stood where few had dared to venture.
Guagua Pichincha has a history of dramatic eruptions. In 1660 a Plinian eruption spread ash over 1000 kilometers. Quito was buried under 30 centimeters of ash. The most recent significant eruption started in August 1998. A phreatic eruption claimed the lives of two volcanologists in March 2000. They were working on the lava dome when disaster struck.
In October 1999 an eruption dusted Quito with ash several inches thick. The province where it is located was named for the mountain. This is the case for many provinces in Ecuador. Cotopaxi Chimborazo and Imbabura share this honor.
The volcano was considered sacred by indigenous cultures long before the Spanish arrived. These people believed the mountain held spiritual significance.
In 1737 members of the French Geodesic Mission spent 23 days on Rucu Pichincha. Charles-Marie de La Condamine Pierre Bouguer and Antonio de Ulloa were among them. They aimed to calculate the length of a degree of latitude.
La Condamine and Bouguer later ascended Guagua Pichincha in 1742. They gazed into the crater which had last erupted in 1660. La Condamine likened what he witnessed to the underworld.
Alexander von Humboldt climbed and measured this mountain in 1802. His writings inspired Frederic Edwin Church to paint Pichincha. The mountain’s influence stretched beyond science into the realm of art.
The Battle of Pichincha secured Ecuador’s independence from Spain. General Sucre’s forces defeated the Spanish colonial army on the volcano’s slopes. The victory marked a turning point in South American history.
Even orchids find a home here. Dracula vampira thrives on the volcano at elevations between 1900 and 2200 meters. This unique orchid adds a touch of beauty to the rugged landscape.
During 2008 to 2010 the lava dome inside Guagua Pichincha was stable. There were occasional phreatic explosions. Fumarolic emissions surfurous odors and noise were common in the crater. Rainfall often triggered phreatic eruptions.
Guagua Pichincha presents potential hazards to Quito. The city is only 11 kilometers away. Cooling of the lava dome indicates that Guagua Pichincha is becoming less active over time. Emissions and explosions could still occur.
So as you stand here at the Guagua Pichincha Refuge remember that you’re on a place of beauty history and geological power. This volcano has shaped not only the landscape but also the culture and destiny of Ecuador. Take a moment to appreciate the views and the stories etched into this majestic mountain.