Introduction
December 2003
Pinan Lakes was another area near Justin's house where I could build my backpacking skills and Justin could practice his orientering skills. The atmosphere was often similar to being on Cotacachi with the paramo and the fascinating coral-like plants, but without the sense of climbing up the side of a mountain. While the first day was a steady ascent (during most of which a donkey, accompanied by 2 firendly Ecoadorian girls, carried my pack!), it felt more like rolling hils all around us with a small lake here or there and then a big swampy area to navigate through. Unfortunately, the "highlight" of the trip was a lot of rain.
