Mountains and What They Are Made Of (part 2)

Here we continue the behind-the-scenes tour of my recent mountain adventures! This post picks up where “Mountains and What They Are Made Of (part 1)” left off.

Cotopaxi

Even after three days in the Paramo, we apparently didn’t have our fill of outside adventures that week. So, we decided to visit Cotopaxi on Saturday.

A group of hikers climb, single-file, up a slope. They are wearing cold weather gear and backpacks. The terrain is barren, with a light dusting of snow. — On the trail

A overcast sky covers the side of a rocky mountain covered with light snow. Halfway up the mountain, there is a squat, two-story lodge which is white with a red roof. In the distance, hikers trek up to the lodge — On the trail

We didn’t have much of a view because of the fog, but experiencing the mountain landscape, almost completely barren except for a few species of lichen, was incredible.

We knew that hiking Cotopaxi would be a challenge. Having been in Ecuador for two weeks, we were accustomed to the altitude. But, Cotopaxi was at another level. Literally. We didn’t summit, but we did hike up to the start of the glaciers, which were over 16,000 feet above sea level.

This was definitely a type-2 fun experience. That is, you’re glad you did it, but in the moment, you suffer. We all have varying levels of fitness and experience with altitude, so we felt it in different ways. Some people were just really tired and out of breath. For others, it was the hardest thing they had ever done in their life.

What I think was the most beautiful about this experience was how we supported each other. At one point, one member of our group was considering turning back. They needed to take a lot of breaks and worried they were holding everyone back. We told them, truthfully, that we didn’t care. We weren’t there to go fast, we were there to do it together.

Twelve hikers group together for a photo amidst and rocky landscape covered in snow. They are wearing cold weather gear, many with hats and backpacks. The surround area is almost completely white with fog. — At the start of Cotopaxi’s glaciers. Altitude: 16,000+ feet

It’s cool to say that I climbed halfway up a famous mountain. But, I feel more honored by the fact I got to share such a difficult experience with my cohort and be a part of supporting each other. That’s probably the real highlight.

Cloud Forest

Two days later, we were in a completely different ecosystem: the lush cloud forest on the western side of the Andes.

A low-angle shot captures a cluster of people walking through a dense, sun-drenched forest abundant with foliage. The sunlight, penetrating through to the forest floor, illuminates the faces of the individuals at the front of the group.

The view is partially obscured by the thick vegetation in the foreground. Large, healthy green leaves dominate the lower half of the frame, their surfaces marked with natural imperfections and sun spots. The leaves act as a screen, framing the figures immersed in their exploration.

Those in the forefront are captured from the shoulders up, each with a backpack slung over their shoulders, suggesting a hike. A woman is the most prominent figure, her head angled upwards to the left, possibly observing something out of the frame. She is wearing a baseball cap with a name visible on it and a dark backpack.

Behind her, other members of the group follow closely, some slightly obscured by the dense foliage. This positioning makes it difficult to discern their features, but their presence reinforces the collective experience of the hike.

Above the group, the forest canopy is a network of green leaves and sturdy tree trunks covered in moss, indicative of a humid environment. The trees reach for the sky, creating a natural cathedral above the group. The composition of the image emphasizes the immersive experience of the group as it navigates the lush undergrowth of the forest. — On the trail in the cloud forest

Ecuador has some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, and you can really see that in the cloud forest. Here’s just a sampling:

A close-up captures a red and yellow flower, possibly a Chinese Lantern, held gently by a left hand, standing out vividly against a soft green backdrop. The flower petals display a mesmerizing pattern, with bold red veins branching across a golden yellow base, creating a complex lattice-like design that draws the eye inward.

At the very center of the flower, a cluster of tiny orange and red structures form the flower's reproductive organs, adding depth and texture to the composition. The hand holding the flower is pale, with the indistinct shape of a thumb and possibly holding a pen.

The background shows lush greenery, where various hues of green blur together, hinting at leaves and grass. The bokeh effect creates soft, out-of-focus spots of light that suggest sunlight filtering through foliage, enhancing the ethereal quality of the image.

The photograph is taken in natural light, which enhances the vivid colors of the flower and softens the background, creating a sense of depth and focus. The overall mood is gentle and inquisitive, showcasing the delicate beauty of nature through a macro lens. — Redvein abutilon

A top-down, close-up shot depicts a vibrant blue beetle confined within a clear plastic container held by a person. The beetle, the central focus of the image, displays a lustrous, iridescent blue exoskeleton that catches the light in such a way as to highlight the depth of its coloration. The beetle's body is segmented, with a distinct head, thorax, and abdomen. The head is a deeper shade of blue compared to the thorax and abdomen, which exhibit a shimmering, almost metallic, quality with hints of teal.

The beetle's six legs and antennae are clearly visible, extending outwards from its body and exhibiting the same iridescent blue coloring. The legs are delicate and spidery, indicative of the beetle's small size.

The insect rests on the bottom of a clear, square plastic container, the transparency of which allows for a glimpse of the person's skin holding the container. Small amounts of dark, granular material line the edges of the container, near the bottom. These dark particles contrast with the clear plastic and the beetle's bright coloring, adding a textural element to the image.

The container is slightly out of focus, which draw even more attention to the beetle itself. The colors and details of the beetle are sharp and well-defined, making it the clear point of interest in the shot. — Redvein abutilon

Each day was a constant deluge of some of the most colorful and intricate birds, plants, and insects that you could imagine. Considering that we’re basically a big group of science nerds, there was no lack of enthusiasm for these discoveries. Lectures were frequently interrupted to pick up bugs, point our birds, and ask the scientific names of flowers.

Experiencing the wonder of all of these discoveries was certainly a highlight of the trip!

On our itinerary for Wednesday, we had a mysterious two-hour block that was simply labeled “drop off in forest.” Intriguing…

Student and professors crouch along a clear, shallow river that runs through a lush tropical forest. Some are bent over, looking intently at macroinvertabrates samples while others walk around. They are wearing light field clothes and rainboots. — Sampling for macroinvertebrates

It turns out, it was exactly that. After completing our macroinvertebrate work examen, we were each dropped off in our own little corner of the forest. The idea was to experience what it’s like to be completely alone in nature.

You could imagine that this could be a pretty surreal experience. You’re all alone in the forest, with no sign of any human life, with only the sound of the birds and your thoughts for two hours.

A wide-angle shot showcases a sprawling mountain range, with the foreground dynamically framed by verdant trees on both the left and right sides of the composition. The sky, blanketed with a mixture of grey and white clouds, creates a slightly overcast atmosphere overhead.

In the middle ground, a series of mountains stretches into the distance, their peaks and valleys adorned with a dense forest of green trees. Patches of mist or low-lying clouds are nestled within the valleys, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to the landscape.

The overall composition presents a harmonious blend of natural elements, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in the serene and majestic beauty of the mountain range. — The view from our lodge

In reality, it was nice, but not life-shattering. I was actually reminded of the many times I’ve done something similar at home, albeit not quite as isolated. Similarly, the flora and fauna of Michigan might not be as flashy, but in my experience, it has an equal ability to produce wonder.

This was a good reminder that much of what I have experienced here, at its core, is not limited to Ecuador. All of my “mountain top” moments — the excitement of anticipation, the joy of being a simple human, the bond of persevering together, the wonder of discovery, and the solitude of the natural world — are things that I can, and do, experience at home.

This is not to say that you shouldn’t study abroad if you have the opportunity. I would definitely recommend it. But, it is to say that it’s not the end-all-be-all.

There was actually a point last year where I considered not studying abroad. I had been reading the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus talks about not storing up treasures on earth, but instead treasures in Heaven. I realized then that I had been holding on tightly to the idea of studying abroad, thinking that I needed to “collect” all of the experiences in order to be fulfilled. I obviously did end up choosing to do a semester off-campus, but I had to first go through a period of time of letting that go, and realizing that I would actually be a-ok if I never had an abroad experience.

Now that I’m here, I feel like I’m more able to receive the experiences I get to have, while not being dependent on them. There are so many things I’m grateful to do, see, and learn here. But, none of it is necessarily any more valuable than my life at home.