Director Jud's Blog

Greetings from Quito, Ecuador!

For the first three days of this adventure, the primary goal has been simple: acclimatization. Before attempting any of Ecuador's famous volcanoes, our bodies need time to adjust to the high elevations of the Andes.

I arrived in Quito, which sits at nearly 9,400 feet above sea level, and immediately felt the difference. Even walking up the city's steep streets leaves you breathing a little harder than normal. Rather than rushing into big climbs, I've been spending these first few days exploring the region, hiking, and giving my body the time it needs to adapt.

My home base has been the iconic Secret Garden Hostel, perched above the city with an awesome rooftop restaurant offering stunning panoramic views of Quito. It's been a great place to meet travelers from around the world while soaking in the energy of Ecuador's capital.

One of the highlights so far was taking the TelefériQo high above Quito and hiking toward the summit of Rucu Pichincha. Reaching elevations above 15,000 feet provided an excellent opportunity to test how I was responding to the altitude while taking in spectacular views of the city and surrounding volcanoes.

However, the mountain had an important lesson to teach. About 300 vertical feet below the summit, a hailstorm rolled in and conditions deteriorated rapidly. Temperatures plummeted to around 25°F, visibility decreased, and it became clear that turning around was the right decision. While I didn't reach the summit, the experience reinforced one of mountaineering's most important principles: the summit is optional, but getting home safely is mandatory. Good judgment is always more important than standing on top.

I've also spent time wandering Quito's historic center, experiencing Ecuadorian culture, and enjoying the incredible mountain scenery that seems to surround every horizon. One day I joined a walking tour of Old Town with an international group from the hostel. Our group included travelers from England, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Brazil, and two of us from the United States.

Some of the tour highlights included Independence Square, the heart of Quito's historic district, and the impressive Basílica del Voto Nacional, whose architecture was inspired by Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Along the way, we learned about Ecuador's fascinating history, from the expansion of the Inca Empire into the region, to Spanish conquest and colonial rule, and ultimately Ecuador's long journey to independence

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Tonight my son Wyatt arrives, and that's when this adventure really begins. We'll continue our acclimatization before heading toward bigger objectives, including Illiniza Norte and Cotopaxi.

Acclimatization may not sound as exciting as standing on a summit, but it is one of the most important parts of mountaineering. The better we adapt now, the stronger and safer we'll be when we begin our climbs in the days ahead.

So far, the strategy is working. I'm feeling stronger each day, sleeping well at altitude, and getting more excited for what's next.

Stay tuned as Wyatt arrives and our father-son mountaineering adventure continues. The big volcanoes are waiting.

Jud Millar
Stone Mountain Adventures
Quito, Ecuador 🇪🇨

"The mountains don't care about our plans. They reward preparation, patience, and good judgment."