High above Quito

The air is thin at 13,000 feet.  Nevertheless, we managed a short hike up towards Pichincha Volcano, which overlooks Quito.  A cable car took us up from 10,000 feet to 13,000, and then we huffed and puffed it from there.

A close call on the cable car!

Quito and its population of 2 million people sprawls along a narrow corridor between two cordilleras. It's amazing to be up so high on a grassy, Andean mountain, yet to be so close to the city below.  

Here's the view from the cable car platform, looking north of Quito.

Neil, Ruby and Oscar walking uphill with Quito in the background.

Colaciones gave us energy to keep going.

This is the view up towards Pichincha Volcano.

Does anyone know what flower this might be?

The landscape is ever-changing as the clouds move through the sky.

Happily descending after a strenuous walk.