Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi the highest active volcanoes in the world at 19,348 feet (5897m) is located at the center of Cotopaxi National Park, the most visited National Park on the Ecuadorian mainland. Located 1
½ to 2 hours south of Quito on the eastern flank of the Andes, Cotopaxi offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities including mountaineering, hiking, birding, horseback ridding, camping and mountain biking.
History
For centuries the native people of the area worshiped Cotopaxi as a god.
Foundations of homes built near the Rio Pita are evidence of the pre-Hispanic
cattle herders in the area. The ruins show evidence of platforms built to
worship the mighty mountain. These people also realized the strength and
strategic position the mountain offered them by building fortresses high its flanks.
El Saitre was built to control the passage into the area. As the Incas arrived in
the area they too worshiped the mountain and built fortresses to control the
surrounding area.
Much of the mountain's history surrounds its volcanic activity.
Records indicate that in 1534 the conquistadors engaged in a war with the locals
for control of what is now Ecuador. During a battle on the flanks of Cotopaxi the
mountain began to erupt. The locals viewed this as a sign from their god and ran
off in fear. The Spanish unused to volcanic activity and seeing the reaction of the
locals ran off in terror.
Since the Spanish first experience with the fury of Cotopaxi there have been
many eruptions. The most famous occurred in June of 1877. Smoke from the volcano could be seen from
Quito to Latacunga. Ash filled the skies and covered the countryside all the way
to Machachi. As the lava poured out of the crater it melted the glacial ice and
created lahars (avalanches of mud) that sped down the mountain reeking havoc along
the way. Much of the neighboring countryside was buried as a wave of mud
cascaded over it. The city of Latacunga was demolished it's residents unable to
escape were buried alive. The lahars continued with such a magnitude that within an 18-hour period the mudflows had reached the Pacific
Coast town of Esmeraldes. Much of the countryside of the Sierras
still show signs of that devastating flow.
Climate
Temperatures on Cotopaxi vary little throughout the year. The average
daytime temperature is 45°F (7°C). Seasonal variations and night-time
temperatures range the temperatures between freezing and 68°F (20°C).
Visitors to the Park are recommended to bring several layers of clothes
including a warm sweater and protective rain-wind jacket, hat and gloves.
The rainy seasons run between January and May and October and November. The main dry
season of June to September though the strong winds are known to occur.
December also has a short dry season and the time around Christmas is normally
considered the best weather of the year.
In general the best weather (least chance of rain or cloudy skies) is around
the full moon. Climbers are recommended to plan assents around the full
moon whenever possible.
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