News and Events
Andes
May 21, 2010
As part of a three-week summer course, Washington College students traveled to Ecuador to explore the native ecosystems and culture.
Choose a gallery: Andes | Rainforest | Galapagos
Click to enlarge photos.
A view of the Pululahua volcano in the Andes, where we began our three-week course.
A beautiful walk on top of the Pinchicha volcano, at 15,000 feet.
Diane Hagmann '12, Nielly Horstman '11, Ruby Callahan '11, Kendra Fox '12, Katie Laury '12, Caroline Robertson '11, Professor Leslie Sherman, Matt Stiles '11, Professor Hugo Valdebenito (University of San Francisco Quito), Guide.
Climbing to reach waterfalls in the Pahuma Orchid Reserve in an Andean Cloud Forest
Kendra with large leaves prevalent in the cloud forest.
An orchid typical of the reserve.
Enjoying lunch in the Colonial City of Quito.
Diane buying scarves in Quito.
The Quitsato Equator monument and sundial, with the Cayambe volcano in the distance.
A visit to the Quiroga community in Northern Ecuador. Learning about local artisan activities from our host Antonio Morales.
Extracting fiber from the cabuya plant to make the handle of the bag.
Spinning alpaca wool for use in the weaving of tapestries.
A view of the fascinating Polylepis Reserve, a unique site where a Polylepis forest is nestled in the Frailejones ("rabbit ear") plants of the humid Paramo region.
The enchanted trees of the Polylepis Forest
A break from our hike.
A nighttime view southward from the Reserve.